Los Padres ForestWatch is the only nonprofit organization dedicated solely to protecting the Los Padres National Forest. The Santa Ynez Valley serves as a key gateway to explore and enjoy these magnificent public lands. These forest lands are not protected. This is because national forest - unlike national parks - are open to oil drilling, mining, logging, commercial livestock grazing, off-road vehicles, and other development. These activities can pollute our sources of clean water, harm wildlife habitat, ruin scenic views, and degrade the outdoor recreation experience for all of us. ForestWatch combines policy and legal advocacy, scientific collaboration, community outreach, and volunteer stewardship with innovative strategy and field work. We've become one of our region's premiere land and wildlife conservation forces, serving as a powerful voice for these wilderness landscapes, wildlife, free-flowing rivers, and recreation in the great outdoors.

Los Padres ForestWatch is the only nonprofit organization dedicated solely to protecting wildlife and wild lands throughout the Los Padres National Forest and the Carrizo Plain National Monument.