Gaviota-Vandenberg Landscape Partnerships
Jack and Laura Dangermond Preserve in Lompoc, CA
Project Overview:
Since 2023, our team has been supporting a diverse group of partners in an ongoing process aimed at establishing collaborative networks, increasing capacity, and developing a shared vision for landscape conservation in Santa Barbara County and the Gaviota Coast.
The project's focus has been on facilitating collaboration among local, state, and federal partners to identify opportunities for mutual support and advance shared conservation and resilience priorities across the Gaviota Coast, with the goal of securing a Sentinel Landscape designation for the region surrounding Vandenberg Space Force Base (VSFB).
Sentinel Landscape partnerships by design align military, ecological, and agricultural priorities in order to more effectively protect working lands, enhance wildfire and water resilience, and conserve habitat for vulnerable species. The collaborative effort is a powerful example of how cross-sector partnerships can strengthen both community and environmental resilience in one of California’s most iconic coastal landscapes.
Community Context:
The Gaviota Coast is a biologically rich area facing pressures from development, wildfire, and climate change. Its ecological importance and proximity to VSFB make it a vital focus for conservation efforts. The Sentinel Landscape framework aims to align federal, local, and nonprofit initiatives to preserve this unique region while supporting military operations.
Role of LegacyWorks:
With funding support from the James S. Bower Foundation, The Nature Conservancy, and in-kind contributions from all of the core partners, LegacyWorks has been facilitating and supporting a major cooperative planning process, including conducting one-on-one interviews, field trips, and multiple virtual and in-person planning workshops. In the spring of 2025, the partnership leadership team presented an Expression of Interest (EOI) to the Federal Coordinating Committee (FCC) for Sentinel Landscapes. As a result, the partnership successfully secured an invitation to submit a full proposal for the 2026 Sentinel Landscape designation cycle. In January 2026, the partnership submitted a full proposal and now awaits a final FCC decision which is expected in the spring of 2026.
What are Sentinel Landscapes?
Sentinel landscapes are federally recognized partnerships dedicated to protecting the military mission by preserving natural and working lands critical to military installations.
By promoting compatible land use and investing in local partnerships, sentinel landscapes are helping to secure America’s defense capabilities while advancing conservation, agriculture, and economic resilience. Click here to learn more about our work in Sentinel Landscapes.
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Department of Defense (Vandenberg Space Force Base)
U.S. Department of Agriculture (NRCS, Cachuma Resource Conservation District, Los Padres National Forest)
Department of the Interior (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service – Ventura Office)
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Convening and Coalescing: Summer 2023 - Summer 2024
Developing Expression of Interest: Fall 2024 – Spring 2025
EOI Submitted: April 6, 2025
Invitation to a Full Proposal: July 2025
Full Proposal Submitted: January 9, 2026
Designation decision: Spring 2026
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Foster Connectedness and Deepen Trust
→Partners engage in ongoing efforts to find value in the network and discover shared priorities and needs.
Catalyze collaborative action and investment towards systems change
→ Partners came together to define shared goals, develop a regional governance structure, and pursue a formal federal designation that would unlock long-term resources for coordinated action.
Facilitate public participation in planning and decision-making
→ More than 50 individuals from over 30 partner organizations engaged in a series of workshops to shape the vision and priorities for the Sentinel Landscape.
Build capacity through multiple pathways
→ LegacyWorks supported the leadership team by facilitating workshops, conducting outreach, and aligning stakeholders to develop a competitive Expression of Interest.
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Invitation to Full Proposal
Submission of a strong Expression of Interest (EOI) for Sentinel Landscape designation
Development of shared goals and a governance structure among 30+ partner organizations
Increased visibility and alignment among key federal and regional decision-makers
Ongoing commitment from partners to collaborate beyond the current designation cycle
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Conducted one-on-one interviews and outreach to partners, allies, and government officials
Organized a series of regional planning workshops and gatherings, culminating in an intensive 3-month planning process with 50+ participants
Defined mutual and complimentary priorities for land conservation, wildfire resilience, and habitat protection - in support of community and military
Drafted EOI to the Federal Coordinating Committee in April 2025
Established a preliminary governance structure and landscape boundary
Invitation to a full proposal received
Full proposal co-developed and submitted
Next Steps:
Awaiting designation decision from the Federal Coordinating Committee (Spring 2026).
Inspiration:
“The most important outcome of this process has been the partnership’s growing commitment to collaboration, regardless of the result of the current designation cycle.”
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