On Thursday, Nov. 14, the public will have the opportunity to participate in a workshop that could play a major role in determining the future of Baron Ranch and future recreational use along the Gaviota coast.

The workshop will be from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Goleta Valley Community Center, 5679 Hollister Ave.

The Baron Ranch is situated within the Arroyo Quemada watershed, and located immediately east of the Tajiguas landfill.

The 1,083 acre ranch was purchased by Santa Barbara County in 1990 as an “open space buffer” for the landfill and has served more recently as a mitigation location for negative impacts created by it.

As a part of the settlement of a lawsuit filed by the Gaviota Coast Conservancy regarding the County’s Tajiguas Resource Recovery Project, the county agreed to support the expansion of trail access at Baron Ranch, including the funding of a new trail connecting the coast to Camino Cielo, open it to multi-use seven days a week, and commit up to $130,000 to fully fund and expedite completion of this project.

Also included in that settlement was an agreement that the board would initiate the preparation of a comprehensive master plan for the Baron Ranch, including opportunities for public input. 

While a stated goal of the plan is to expand recreational opportunities and at the same time protect the existing open space and promote agriculture, your involvement in the process will help determine the extent to which the public has access to the ranch and what uses will be allowed there.

To date, Public Works has not embraced expanding the scale and coverage of the public’s use of the property. Currently, the ranch is open only three days a week (Saturday-Monday), for hiking only.

Dogs, equestrians and mountain biking are prohibited.

If you are unable to attend the workshop, an online survey forma is available to add your inout.