June 29th | Saving Sedgwick: A Citizens’ Success Story
Thursday, June 29th, 6:30 - 8 p.m.
Tipton House, UC Sedgwick Reserve
Riders on horseback at the Sedgwick property in 1964 prior to its transformation into a reserve, courtesy Sedgwick Reserve Archives.
Sedgwick Reserve, photographed spring 2023 from the Anderson Overlook, courtesy John Evarts.
Join us for an evening talk by historic preservationist Lansing Duncan who will present a free lecture, “Saving Sedgwick: A Citizens' Success Story” on Thursday, June 29th, 6:30 - 8 p.m. at the Tipton House, located at the UC Sedgwick Reserve.
Aerial views of Sedgwick Reserve and Figueroa Mountain, photographed by Bill Dewey in 2016. Image © Bill Dewey. Dewey is among 11 Central Coast artists featured in the Wildling’s current exhibition, Sedgwick Reserve: A Conservation Story.
His illustrated lecture will chronicle the fascinating and often-overlooked story of how local conservationists, university professors, artists, and others united in a grassroots effort to ensure that the entire Sedgwick Ranch became part of the University of California’s Natural Reserve System.
Due to its size (nearly 6,000 acres) and the rich diversity of native habitats that it encompasses, Sedgwick Reserve is now considered one of the crown jewels of the University of California’s Natural Reserve System. During the early 1990s, however, large parts of Sedgwick faced the real possibility of being split off and sold for development. The story behind the complex — and ultimately successful — campaign to keep Sedgwick whole is the subject of this talk.
This program is offered in conjunction with the California Nature Art Museum’s current exhibition, Sedgwick Reserve: A Conservation Story, which illustrates this wonderful natural resource through the eyes of 11 Central Coast artists. For members of the public who have not yet had the opportunity to visit Sedgwick Reserve, this lecture will provide a great introductory opportunity to see the Reserve headquarters.
This is a free event. Advance registration is required at syvnhs@syvnature.org or (805) 693-5683. Attendance is limited to 50.
*PLEASE NOTE: As of June 22nd, this event is currently at capacity. Please email the address above the be added to the waitlist.
Directions will be sent to all registrants. The ranch gate will open at 5 p.m. for those who would like to bring their own picnic to enjoy under the oaks before the program. A new history display in Sedgwick’s restored barn will also be open to lecture attendees for viewing ahead of the formal program’s start time.
This event is co-sponsored by the Santa Ynez Valley Natural History Society, Wildling Museum of Art and Nature, and UC Sedgwick Reserve.
About Lansing Duncan
Lansing Duncan was a founding member of The Sedgwick Preservation Committee (SPC), a local organization created to educate the public about the ecological value of Sedgwick Ranch and to help raise funds to keep the ranch intact. SPC started a campaign to “Save Sedgwick” and joined the Sedgwick Solutions Coalition, the Land Trust of Santa Barbara County, and other stakeholders with the same goal. Duncan’s work with SPC led to his involvement in other land-use issues. He served five years as a Santa Barbara County Planning Commissioner for the Third District, and he remains involved with historic preservation as a member of the Santa Barbara County Historic Landmarks Advisory Commission.