The Land Trust for Santa Barbara County has appointed Vanessa Stowers as the new director of development and communications.
Stowers will lead efforts in fundraising and community engagement to further the organization’s mission of conserving natural resources, agricultural land, and open spaces throughout Santa Barbara County.
A Santa Barbara County native, Stowers said she is inspired by the progress The Land Trust has made in preserving the county’s diverse landscapes while recognizing the importance of continued conservation efforts.
Growing up in Guadalupe, Stowers said she developed an appreciation for the region’s beauty and resourcefulness, cherishing her roots as a third-generation resident with a large extended family deeply connected to the county. She now lives in Santa Barbara.
“I have eagerly sought ways to contribute to my hometown’s growth and well-being,” she said. “My ties to Guadalupe remain strong, and I am thrilled to leverage my expertise and North County roots in my new role at The Land Trust.”
With a background in nonprofit work, an affinity for community service, and experience as a fundraiser, Stowers is ready to foster connections and partnerships, particularly in the Santa Maria Valley.
“Vanessa’s love of this county and the communities that comprise it shines through. We are thrilled to have her join us at a moment of tremendous conservation growth for the Land Trust,” said Meredith Hendricks, executive director.
In addition to Stowers’ appointment, The Land Trust is celebrating the preservation of an additional 955 acres of connected open space and wildlife corridors through a recent conservation easement, for a total of 57,304 acres protected over the last 39 years.
For more about The Land Trust for Santa Barbara County, visit https://www.sblandtrust.org/.