Beach Hike from Gaviota State Beach toward Hollister Ranch
2024-01-13 03:30 - 05:30 (America/Los_Angeles)
Low Tide Beach Hike from Gaviota State Beach toward Hollister Ranch with team leaders Kris and Janet. Dates can change with weather dependency. Contact Janet@gaviotacoastconservancy.org if you want to be included on individual hike announcements and updates.

Photo Courtesy of Sally Berry

Conserving the Gaviota Coast IN PICTURES AND STORIES
2024-03-04 09:30 - 12:00
805-967-6030

vistas@vistaslifelonglearning.org

Presented by: Phil McKenna

Bethany Congregational Church

556 N. Hope Avenue, Santa Barbara

The Gaviota Coast is the largest intact example of our Southern California Mediterranean coastal environment. Its 200,000 acres span 73 miles of coastline and 43 watersheds. Internationally recognized as a “biological hotspot” for its diversity of plants and animals, it is a mosaic of landscapes—and it harbors many little-known stories: an epic development scheme stretching across 140 years; the largest ranch in Santa Barbara County preserved for restoration and scientific study; a coffee plantation in the foothills; aranch encompassing an entire watershed being restored through regenerative agriculture. Many photographers have dedicated their time and skills to awaken our interest, and this course will be richly illustrated to display the character, beauty, and conservation challenges facing the Gaviota Coast, at the edge of Southern California.

$20 Vistas members

$30 Non-Members

EITHER pay online on the VISTAS website by secure credit card through PayPal:

https://www.vistaslifelonglearning.org/current-courses

OR mail this form and your check to: VISTAS Lifelong Learning, Inc.

P.O. Box 23228, Santa Barbara CA 93121

Phil McKenna came to Santa Barbara in 1964 to study at UCSB and never left. It’s not a unique story, but he feels fortunate to have landed in this community of mountains and seashore. When his youngest child left for college, an opening presented itself; he wanted to add something to the community that had nurtured him. For the past 25 years he has been a coastal advocate for the Gaviota Coast Conservancy. He was a financial consultant, but has retired and discovered that “work,” while important, is overrated.

IMPORTANT COVID-19 POLICY

The health and safety of our attendees and their families are of utmost importance to us. Accordingly, we are limiting attendance to those who are fully vaccinated. Proof of vaccinations and boosters (digital Covid-19 Vaccination Card or a photo of your printed card) must be sent to our business manager via email (vistas@vistaslifelonglearning.org) or text (805-967-6030). This needs to be done only once—your proof of vaccination will remain valid for all Vistas events. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation.

HERB WALK AT ELLWOOD BUTTERFLY PRESERVE WITH NICOLE IAQUINTO
2024-06-02 17:00 - 19:00
Join local herbalist Nicole Iaquinto to learn about the medicinal and edible weeds of Santa Barbara, move your body, breathe, and reconnect with nature. Come explore the bluffs and Eucalyptus forest along the Elwood Butterfly Preserve and enjoy the bounty of herbs along its trails. During this hike, you will learn more about the folk, magical, medicinal, and culinary uses of herbs, trees, and shrubs that grow in our own backyard. Safe plant ID and ethical wild crafting with be taught, along with easy to make herbal remedies for everyday ailments.

Herbwalk starts on Sunday, June 2nd, at 5:00 PM PST.

Register here and Artemisia will donate 15% of your fee to support the work of GCC at Elwood Butterfly Preserve with Nicole Iaquinto.​​

HERB WALK AT Coal Oil Point WITH NICOLE IAQUINTO
2024-08-04 17:00 - 19:00
Join local herbalist, Nicole Iaquinto, for an enlightening herb walk at the stunning Coal Oil Point Reserve. Discover the rich variety of medicinal and edible plants that thrive along the Gaviota Coast. During this two-hour in-person walk, you’ll learn about the folk, medicinal, and culinary uses of herbs, trees, and shrubs native to our own backyard. Nicole will teach safe plant identification, ethical wildcrafting, and how to create easy herbal remedies for everyday ailments.

For More Detail & Register Here: https://www.artemisiaacademy.com/events/herb-walk-at-coal-oil-point-1

Sunday, August 04, 2024

5-7 PM

Coal Oil Point Reserve

Sportfishing Conservancy’s Classic Tournament for Gaviota
2024-08-24 07:00 - 11:00
If you like to fish, promoting sustainable conservation practices while supporting Gaviota Coast Conservancy, then join us in this NO-MOTOR fishing tournament on Saturday, August 24. The tournament takes place at Haskell’s Beach located at 8301 Hollister Ave in Goleta, CA, 93117.

Register on tournament day at scenic Haskell’s Beach. The $20 entry fee includes a raffle ticket for a chance to win a new fishing kayak.

ALL registration fees are donated to Gaviota Coast Conservancy.

Learn more about The Sportfishing Conservancy and the organizations they support at https://www.sportfishingconservancy.org

The Sportfishing Conservancy’s Mission

Recognizing that with privilege comes responsibility, the mission of the Sportfishing Conservancy is to empower sportsmen and women to fulfill and celebrate their commitment to their sport and to the real world conservation.

The Conservancies Classic Fishing Tournament
2025-08-23 07:00 - 11:00
Fishing Tournament with all proceeds going to Gaviota Coast Conservancy

Gaviota's Summer Soul Photo Contest
2026-08-01 12:00 - 2026-08-31 12:00
An image that captures the beauty and the soul of the Gaviota Coast conveys a powerful message that this landscape is worth protecting. We’re inviting everyone to send us their best original photographs of the Gaviota Coast during the month of August. The winning photos will be featured on GCC’s website, social media, and other materials, crediting the photographer. As a non-profit partner of Jack Johnson’s 2026 SURFILMUSIC Tour, we are thrilled to be able to offer the winner of our photo contest a pair of tickets to see Jack Johnson’s show at the Santa Barbara Bowl on October 4th! We’re accepting submissions through August 31st and will announce the winner on September 15th.

Contest Rules and Entry Form

Beach Cleanup & Sunset Walk at Haskell's
2026-08-15 17:00 - 19:00 | Haskell’s Beach, 8301 Hollister Avenue, Goleta, California, 93117, United States
Please RSVP to Janet Koed, janet@gaviotacoastconservancy.org

As an All At Once Non-Profit Partner we are hosting a volunteer event leading up to the Jack Johnson concert in October to engage our local community and help keep our beaches and ocean clean! Join us at Haskell’s Beach to pick up trash, walk the coast, and enjoy the sunset and good company. If you like, bring a picnic dinner to enjoy as the sun goes down.
