The Natural and Political History of the San Rafael Wilderness with Jeff Kuyper and Bryant Baker

The Natural and Political History of the San Rafael Wilderness with Jeff Kuyper and Bryant Baker

Thursday, August 17, 6:30pm
Faulkner Gallery, Santa Barbara Public Library
40 E. Anapamu St., Santa Barbara, CA

The San Rafael Wilderness was established in 1968, the first of its kind in the region. Home to the Hurricane Deck, Big Pine Mountain, and the Sisquoc River, the San Rafael Wilderness is both ecologically and geographically diverse. Since 1968 it has become a premier destination for hikers and equestrians looking to explore the remote backcountry of Santa Barbara County. Learn from local public land experts Jeff Kuyper and Bryant Baker of Los Padres ForestWatch about the unique flora, fauna, and geology of this remarkable area and the political road to its designation.

Founded in 2004, Los Padres ForestWatch protects wildlife, wilderness, water, and sustainable access throughout the Los Padres National Forest and the Carrizo Plain National Monument. The nonprofit uses a mix of education, advocacy, and when necessary, legal action to ensure that public lands in the region are protected from damaging activities such as oil drilling, logging, and mining. Jeff Kuyper is the organization’s Executive Director and one of its original founders. Bryant Baker is the Director of Conservation and Research and has been with the organization since 2016.

This free presentation is part of the Trail Talks series hosted by the Santa Barbara Public Library.

The next talk in the series is Thursday, September 21, 6:30pm, Exploring Mount Pinos and the Chumash Wilderness with James Wapotich