Few animals embody mystery and perception like the owl. 🦉 In traditional Chumash teachings, the owl represents summer, clear sight, and spiritual insight. This International Owl Awareness Day, learn more about the owls that call Los Padres home: forestwatch.org/owls

If an oil company makes a mess, it should clean it up. The Interior Department wants to slash bonding requirements, letting drillers take the profits and leaving taxpayers to pay for abandoned wells and damaged public lands. 🚨 Tell BLM to make oil companies pay: https://ow.ly/Bv0u50ZtYAr

It may look rugged, but chaparral is one of California's richest ecosystems. 🌿 Covering much of Los Padres, it's home to an incredible diversity of native plants that have adapted to thrive through heat, drought, and wildfire.

The wildlife was everywhere—you just had to know where to look. 👀 At our sold-out Forest Academy Animal Tracking workshop, participants uncovered the stories hidden in tracks and scat at the Santa Clara River Preserve. 🐾 Read more: https://ow.ly/e7jW50ZnBNo

Nearly 36,000 acres could be auctioned for oil development, including 13,000 acres along Carrizo Plain’s boundary. 🚨 Tell BLM to remove high-conflict parcels before comments close August 1: https://ow.ly/f46t50ZqbuG

Meet the Kern primrose sphinx moth, a federally threatened species found near Los Padres. Once thought extinct, it can remain underground for years during drought, waiting for the right conditions to emerge. 👉🏽 Learn more: forestwatch.org/learn-explore/wildlife-plants/kern-primrose-sphinx-moth/

Spend a Saturday protecting Santa Paula Canyon! Help reduce trash + promote safe, responsible hiking in Los Padres National Forest. 🌿 Sign up: https://ow.ly/qonh50ZnyCO Spanish speakers encouraged.

Los Padres National Forest is Ojai's backyard. 🌿 We're thrilled the Ojai City Council unanimously adopted a biodiversity resolution, joining a growing regional effort to protect the connected landscapes, wildlife, and native habitats that make our region so special. 💚

Can fuel breaks stop a wildfire? It's complicated. 🌿🔥 Fuel breaks can help provide access and create opportunities to slow or manage a wildfire, but decades of research show they generally do not stop wildfires burning under extreme weather conditions. 👉🏽 Learn more: https://ow.ly/YFqB50Zmcuz

Nearly 36,000 acres could be auctioned for oil development, including 13,000 acres along Carrizo Plain’s boundary. 🚨 Tell BLM to remove high-conflict parcels before comments close August 1: https://ow.ly/lvQA50ZoxAm

Healthy ecosystems need snakes. 🐍 In honor of #WorldSnakeDay, meet a few of the remarkable species that call Los Padres National Forest home—from kingsnakes to rattlesnakes. 👉 Learn more: https://ow.ly/5LkB50Zm9sM

Sip for a cause! 🍷 Bien Nacido Estate in Santa Maria is donating 10% of all sales July 24–26 to Los Padres ForestWatch. Visit us Saturday to meet the team and enjoy live music by Caleb Elling from 12–3 p.m. 🌲 Learn more: https://ow.ly/ur1x50Zm6vT

Wildlife can't survive without habitat. A new federal rule weakens how the Endangered Species Act protects the places endangered species depend on. 🐸 Read what changed, what protections remain, and what it means for wildlife: https://ow.ly/oNwn50ZnBBU

Many people believe the Roadless Rule closes forests, prevents wildfire management, or limits recreation. In reality, it primarily protects the gateway to the backcountry by limiting new permanent roads and the most intensive forms of commercial logging.. 👉 Separate fact from fiction.

The Trump administration has proposed leasing 36,000 acres of California public land and mineral estate for oil development, including 13,000 acres bordering Carrizo Plain National Monument. Comments close Aug. 1. More updates soon. 👉🏽 Learn more: https://ow.ly/KTbE50ZmwC3

Public participation matters. The Roadless Rule was built through 600+ public meetings and 1.6 million public comments. Thanks to everyone who joined our Central Coast Roadless Rule Town Halls—we'll share next steps soon. 🌲

Meet Shady Hakim, our new Operations Director! 👋 With 20+ years in environmental advocacy and leadership—including Patagonia—he'll help strengthen ForestWatch's impact. Welcome, Shady! 💚

Chaparral is the most dominant ecosystem in Los Padres, covering roughly 70% of the forest! Meet some of its key players: Bigberry Manzanita, big-pod ceanothus, toyon, and nearly 400 species of wildlife! Follow along as we continue to explore what makes this special ecosystem so important!

More than 1 million acres of California public lands are one step closer to oil drilling. The BLM bypassed California's required review, ignored public input, and advanced plans despite state protections. Learn more: https://ow.ly/lWnH50ZiWg2

June is National Camping Month, and we’re reflecting on our annual Outdoor Connections family campout and the power of making nature more accessible. 🌿 From river swims to campfires, families built confidence, connection, and lasting memories outdoors. 💚 Learn more: forestwatch.org/what-we-do/o...

Bzzzz 🐝 We couldn’t let Insect Week buzz by without celebrating one of Los Padres’ most elusive yet important pollinators: Crotch’s bumblebee! Learn more: https://ow.ly/3qXF50Zcsam 📷: Liam O’Brian

34 years ago, the Los Padres Condor Range and River Protection Act permanently protected more than 400,000 acres of cherished public lands. The law expanded wilderness across Los Padres and safeguarded wild rivers leaving a legacy of connected habitat, clean water, and wild places that endure today.

The outdoors can be a place of joy, connection, and belonging, but access has not always been equal. 🌿 This Juneteenth, we reflect on freedom and celebrate stories that deepen our connection to land and one another. 📚 Explore books by Black authors: https://ow.ly/787O50ZcrT4

Seasonal fire restrictions are now in effect in Los Padres National Forest 🔥 Campfires only in designated sites, camp stoves require permits, and target shooting is limited to designated ranges. Help prevent wildfires. Learn more: https://ow.ly/9Azy50Ze1tF

Forest Academy continues July 11 with a guided Animal Tracking Walk at the Santa Clara River Preserve. 🐾 Join in as we search for wildlife clues and learn how to read tracks, movement, and behavior across the river basin. 👉🏽 Register: https://forestwatch.org/event/animal-tracking-adventure/

What do you value most about Santa Barbara County’s open spaces? 🌿 The County is updating the Open Space Element of its Comprehensive Plan—a long-term roadmap that helps guide how land is protected and developed across the region. 👉🏽Take the 5-minute survey before June 25: https://ow.ly/hU8z50Z928A

Last month, we joined partners in Sacramento to advocate for SB 1268—legislation that would help make access to nature a lasting California priority. 🌿 The bill passed the Senate unanimously and now heads to the Assembly. 📣 Urge your representatives to support SB 1268: https://ow.ly/948y50Zb7x8

A mountain lion’s meal dragged through the Ventura River Preserve. A lone hiker’s sighting in Ojai. Juvenile cougars moving through yards in SLO. These majestic felines live closer than many of us realize—and coexistence is essential to their future. 🐾 Learn more: https://ow.ly/IeKU50ZaII0

Thank you to Senators Padilla, Cantwell, and Wyden for leading efforts to block the proposed Roadless Rule rollback. 🌲 For 20+ years, Roadless protections have safeguarded backcountry forests—protecting clean water, wildlife, recreation, and wild landscapes for future generations.

SLO, Stand Up! 📣 Join us at a town hall at Oddfellows Hall on June 24 to learn what proposed changes to the Roadless Rule could mean for Los Padres and our public lands. 👉🏽 RSVP: https://ow.ly/Kmro50Z7ACq