Sometimes we take our open spaces for granted and assume that they’ll always be there. But that’s a risky assumption. There are 200,000 acres of unprotected public lands in the Los Padres National Forest in Santa Barbara and Ventura counties that are at risk for future development. Los Padres ForestWatch, a nonprofit land conservation organization based in Santa Babara, is working to protect this land with their Wild Heritage Campaign.
I was interested to learn that the Wilderness Act of 1964 authorizes locals citizens, along with their Congressional representative, to designate national forest land as “wilderness”, permanently insulating it from future development. The Los Padres backcountry contains 5 wilderness areas: Dick Smith, Matillija, Sespe, Chumash, and San Rafael, yet nearly 60% of the southern Los Padres remains open to development and road building. There have been no new wilderness designations in this area in 19 years!
Ammo Box of Journals at the top of Montecito Peak
The Wild Heritage Campaign would add roughly 180,000 acres to these existing wilderness areas and another 20,000 acres along the crest of the Gaviota Coast between Refugio and Winchester Canyons. Coastal wildernesses such as this are extremely rare and provide a unique opportunity to contribute to the diversity of our nation’s wilderness lands.
To raise awareness of this important local issue and capture the beauty of the Los Padres National Forest, Los Padres ForestWatch has launched its first-ever photo contest. Color Services is proud to be a sponsor. With 3 categories—landscape, wildlife and people—entries will be judged on originality, technical excellence, composition, overall impact and artistic merit…..along with an online “People’s Choice” award. In addition, all submitted images may be used to promote the preservation and enjoyment of the Los Padres National Forest. Who knows? Your entry just might be the one to inspire someone to get out and explore the Los Padres forest lands.
Take, for instance, Glen from Color Services. He regularly takes a weekend hike in the Los Padres wilderness to find some respite from the hustle and bustle of the work week. Check out some of his photos below to see what you can expect to find. All of these shots were taken with an iPhone, using the Hipstamatic app. The square format and borders are all easy effects that are inherent in the app. (Color Services, in fact, does all of the printing for prints ordered through the Hipstamatic app or the HipstaMart website, and we love this look!)
At the top of Montecito Peak, there sits a weathertight metal ammunition box between 2 rocks —- full of journals. Here hikers have recorded their thoughts and inspirations to share with others. That, in itself, would be worth the hike.
A closer look at the journals atop Montecito Peak
The judge’s panel for the Wilderness and Wild River Photo Contest includes:
Jeff Jones, Professional Photographer, Lumnos Wilderness Photography
Ralph Clevenger, Professor at Brooks Institute of Photography, Professional Photographer, Ralph Clevenger Photography, Russ Bishop, Professional Photographer, Russ Bishop Photography
Tim Davis, Photo Editor for Patagonia, Inc., Los Padres ForestWatch staff.
Submissions may be made March 5, 2012 through July 27, 2012. For more details about the Los Padres Wilderness & Wild River Photo Contest, go to www.lospadreswild.org and click the “Photo Contest” tab.
Good luck!