The work of the Trails Council is divided into several categories and many projects are decades in the making.
- We advocate for new trail access to wild and scenic destinations
- We protect trail access to the coastal, foothill and forest habitats of Santa Barbara County
- We build and maintain safe and sustainable trails for all types of nature-based recreation
- We support public agencies with trail planning, construction and maintenance services
- We collaborate with community organizations to enhance trail-based recreation for everyone
- We educate the community at large about issues that impact the Santa Barbara County trail network.
- We raise funds to construct and maintain trails through community outreach and philanthropic resources
Community Outreach
- Advocating for the protection of existing trails and construction of new trails
- Advocating for the California Coastal Trail (20 miles of trails from Bacara Resort to Gaviota State Park)
- Trails and Ales (trail users social gathering)
Health and Education Initiatives
- Healthy People Healthy Trails Program (Countywide collaborative initiative in partnership with Sansum Clinic, Cottage Health, Santa Barbara Parks & Recreation, CenCal Health, Healthy Lompoc Coalition, County of Santa Barbara Health Department, community members and support from the National Park Service)
- Mapping the Gaviota Coast (Funded by CA Coastal Conservancy and UCSB Coastal Fund)
- Gaviota Coastal Trail and Access Study (Winner of two planning association awards for excellence)
Trail Projects
- Baron Ranch Ridge Trail | Los Padres National Forest Segment (Planning/constructing 3.5 miles of trail)
- Baron Ranch Lower Trail Enhancement | Santa Barbara County Segment (new bridge and miles of trails)
- Ellwood Mesa Coastal Trail and Habitat Restoration Planning (Planning for 2.2 miles of trail and 10+ acres of habitat restoration. Funded by CA Coastal Conservancy, CREF Fund, and UCSB Coastal Fund)
- Franklin Trail Phase One Construction (completed 1 mile of trail in 2013)
- Franklin Trail Phase Three| Los Padres National Forest Segment (Planning/constructing 2.9 miles of trail. First before the Thomas Fire and then a second time after the fire.)
- Paradiso del Mare Coastal Trails (Planning for 1 mile of the California Coastal Trail with a bridge over the railroad)
- Rice Ranch Trail Network | Valley View Segment (Planning/constructing 3.0 miles of trails)
Trail Maintenance Projects
- Gaviota Coast State Parks (In partnership with California State Parks)
- Midland School Ranch Trails (In partnership with the Midland School)
- Ellwood Butterfly Grove (In partnership with the City of Goleta)
Trails Council Programs
- Santa Barbara County Hikers (over 2600 members participating in weekly group hikes)
- Santa Barbara Outdoor Volunteers (over 700 members ― in partnership with other community organizations)
- Island View Trail Race Series (over 150 participants raising funds for the Franklin Trail)
Fundraising
- Baron Ranch Trail Fund | Santa Barbara County Parks Segment
- Ellwood Mesa Coastal Trails Fund | Beach Access Phase
- Franklin Trail Fund | Los Padres National Forest Segment
- California Coastal Trail | Paradiso del Mare Segment | Trails and Pedestrian Bridge
- Midland School Ranch Trails Fund | Trail Maintenance
- Gaviota State Park Trails Fund | Trail Maintenance
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