There has never been a more important and positive time to get out and explore our remarkable federal, state, county, and city public lands.
A new website: “50 Great Public Lands Destinations – Santa Barbara and Beyond” launched in late July to help everyone discover new and wonderful places and adventures, all within 300 miles of the Sierra Club’s Los Padres Chapter area.
“While teaching the Public Lands class at UCSB, I learned that a lot of my students from throughout the state and nation did not know about the tremendous public land opportunities all around us,” notes Deborah Williams, the author of the website at: https://50greatpubliclanddestinations.org
Williams is a Lecturer in the Environmental Studies Department at UCSB and specializes in Public Lands. “We are the owners of our public parks, beaches, forests and open spaces. Enjoying these extraordinary areas is very important to our physical and mental health, our sense of community, and our happiness,” especially during the pandemic, she said.
Some camps reopen
Many of the campgrounds, day use areas and trailheads in the Lower Santa Ynez Recreation area of the Los Padres National Forest have been difficult to get to since the first crossing was closed due to high water levels. It is now open, and the campgrounds that were closed are open now (except for group campsites). These developed areas are subject to a user fee, but if you are not using a developed area, a fee cannot be collected. A new sign posted at the first kiosk makes this clear, but you must use an existing roadside turn-out and be completely off the pavement. Please observe social spacing. And if an area is too crowded, pick another. And be careful with fire. Day use fees are not required for roadside parking outside of developed campgrounds or day use areas.
All campgrounds in the Los Padres National Forest are open except for group campgrounds, if reserved ask for refunds here: www.Recreation.gov
Recreational shooting in all areas has been suspended until Dec. 31 due to dangerous fire conditions.
While the Service has been renewing the closure orders every two weeks, it gets complicated due to some developed campgrounds are managed by Parks Management Co. while the National Forest manage others.
Local note: Closure extended until Sept 30 for the Punch Bowls in area of Santa Paula Canyon due to overflows
Before you go into the forest, check the alerts and closures (you may also subscribe to them) here.
Wheeler Gorge reopens
Los Padres Forest Association is looking for knowledgeable volunteers who might be interested in helping share information with forest-visitors at Wheeler Gorge Visitor Center on either Saturdays or Sundays. We’ve reopened the Visitor Center on weekends from 9am - 3pm and have easy-ups setup outside to greet visitors and try to get them the answers they need. We are following strict Ventura County Covid procedures with volunteers outside wearing masks and assisting people from 6 feet away. Most of the questions are about hiking or camping and it’s a lot of fun talking trails and campgrounds. If anyone is interested in coming out to help, please email us at: Volunteer@LPForest.org
Gardens reopen
The botanical gardens in both Santa Barbara and Ventura counties are open during the quarantine.
The Santa Barbara Botanic Garden officially reopened to the public in July 10th after a two-month closure prompted by Covid-19 followed by a phased two-month opening to its membership. It also offers a virtual visit via the website at: www.SBBG.org
“A visit to the Garden is one of the critical ways that we foster a love of the incredible flora of California and inspire guests to join us in its conservation,” said Dr. Steve Windhager, Executive Director.
The Botanic Garden has partnered with Cottage Health to advise on measures that ensure the safety of Garden visitors (mandatory masks, frequent sanitation etc.). For now, no more than 100 guests at a time are allowed.
Also reopened is the outside portion of the SB Museum of Natural History.
Likewise, the Ventura Botanical Gardens is now open over its 109 acres that boast spectacular views of the coastline, and inland peaks and valleys. It has restored many plants destroyed by the Thomas Fire and now has over 8,000 plants in the ground. On Fridays, the Gardens are free for everyone (kids under 18 always free) as are monthly guided tours. Cost for non-members is $7 per day, per person. Dogs are welcome on Wednesdays and Fridays, closed Mondays. For details go to: www.VenturaBotanicalGardens.com