Trail Talks: The Political and Natural History of the Sespe Wilderness with Jeff Kuyper, Peter Deneen, and Chuck Graham

Este programa será dirigido en inglés y todos están bienvenidos.

The Sespe Wilderness in Ventura County’s backcountry was designated in 1992 and now stands as the largest protected Wilderness area in the southern Los Padres National Forest. From Pine Mountain and Sespe Creek, to Piedra Blanca and Chorro Grande, the area is known for its extensive backcountry trails network, rare wildlife like California condors and bighorn sheep, and deep cultural and spiritual importance to the Chumash people. Learn from local public land leaders and explorers Jeff Kuyper, Peter Deneen, and Chuck Graham about the unique landscapes and outdoor recreation opportunities found in the Sespe Wilderness and the history of how it was given its highly protected federal land status.

About the Speakers

Jeff Kuyper is an expert on our region’s public lands and their historic, policy, and legal frameworks. He was one of the original founders of Los Padres ForestWatch, a nonprofit organization that works to protect Los Padres National Forest. He brings more than 25 years of experience advocating for wildlife, public lands, and the local communities that depend on them. Jeff holds a Juris Doctorate degree from the University of Oregon School of Law, with a certificate in Environmental and Natural Resource Law, and a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Studies from UC Santa Barbara.

Peter Deneen is an award-winning writer, educator, nonprofit leader, and actor based in his hometown of Ojai. He is a veteran of the United States Coast Guard, where he served as an officer for over a decade. He holds a Bachelor of Science from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy and a Master of Arts in Climate and Society from Columbia University, and is currently an MBA candidate at UCLA. Peter serves on several local and regional nonprofit boards, including Keep the Sespe Wild, The C.R.E.W., Ojai Raptor Center, Tierra Sol Institute, and currently serves as the board president of Ojai Valley Defense Fund. He is an ultramarathoner, co-founder of Sisar Canyon Run Club, and is a Runners for Public Lands Ambassador.

Chuck Graham is a freelance writer, photographer, and outdoor adventurer. He is the author ofCarrizo Plain: Where the Mountains Meet the Grasslands, and Paddling Into a Natural Balance: Stories of Kayaking and Conservation Around Channel Islands National Park. He’s also written dozens of articles about local open spaces and wild landscapes, including several features on the bighorn sheep herd in the Sespe Wilderness. He leads kayak tours and backpacking trips at Channel Islands National Park, and his stories and photos have appeared in Backpacker, Trail Runner, High Country News, Los Angeles Times, Men’s Journal, Outdoor Photographer, and more.

About Trail Talks

Trail Talks is a monthly series of public education talks about exploring the natural world for outdoor enthusiasts organized by Santa Barbara Public Library with support from James Wapotich. In addition to discussion of trails near and far, we feature speakers on the ecology, geology, and history for naturalists of all types.

Disclaimer(s):

Participants in this event may be photographed by Library staff. These photos may be used in promotional or educational publications, including in print, social media, and presentations. Please see staff if you do not consent to having your photo taken. Staff will obtain individual, signed photo releases of photographs that contain only an individual as opposed to a group.