By Mark Wilkinson, Executive Director Santa Barbara County Trails Council
For the readers of the Condor Call, the answer is a resounding yes. However, it is more challenging to answer why they are essential and how they add value to the community.
I am sure you can agree that trails are vital to recreation in Santa Barbara and Ventura counties. They provide opportunities for physical exercise and social interaction. They foster a sense of community as we often share these experiences with others. They pass through scenic areas, historic sites, and diverse ecosystems, allowing us to experience memorable moments in the natural environment.
These trails are not just for us; they are for the health of our ecosystems. They inspire us to take responsibility as stewards for conserving these precious environments.
Despite our region's abundant natural resources, diverse ecosystems, and Mediterranean climate, the trails in Santa Barbara and Ventura County are not receiving the respect and attention they deserve from business organizations and government entities. This neglect is starkly contrasted by the support and funding seen in other parts of the state, as I discovered at the recent California Trails and Greenways Conference. There, I learned about several transformative multi-jurisdictional trail projects that, despite their challenges, had broad support and funding symbolic of what the community valued.
Locally, winter storms are causing more trail damage than we have witnessed in over a decade. Numerous rain events in areas ravaged by fire have compounded the problem, leaving many trails in a repair queue due to a lack of agency resources. Government entities would address the situation if trails were considered infrastructure with line-item funding.
Recent proposals for long-term trail closures will significantly impact our community's recreational trail use. Closures of three, six, or twelve months affect tens of thousands of trail users, disrupting their physical exercise routines and social interactions. Yet, in many cases, required environmental impact reports claim that these closures have an insignificant impact on recreation and are easily mitigated. This disregard for the community's needs indicates that trails must be recognized as critical public health and recreation infrastructure.
It's time for us to come together and show our decision-makers that trails are not just recreational amenities but critical infrastructure that deserves their attention and protection. More support and funding are needed to ensure the longevity and accessibility of our trails, and we have the power to make that happen.
Let's form an ad hoc coalition to raise awareness of the value and importance of trails to community members, organizations, and agencies. Together, we can foster a sense of widespread appreciation that ensures their continued importance now and for future generations.
Let's talk:
Santa Barbara County Trails Council
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