The high quality of life in Santa Barbara County, California grows from the county’s diverse landscapes and waters. While Santa Barbara’s natural capital sustains both residents and visitors, it can be difficult to appreciate its full importance—healthy ecosystems are critical to the county's ongoing prosperity and resilience.
Last year, the Land Trust of Santa Barbara County and Earth Economics collaborated to produce Thriving Open Spaces Support Healthy Economies: Nature’s Value in Santa Barbara, which reveals how open spaces directly benefit local jobs, businesses, and quality-of-life, by measuring both the economic value of ecosystem services and the value of agriculture and outdoor recreation on the county economy.
Over the past four decades, the Land Trust of Santa Barbara County has partnered with landowners and other groups to protect over 57,304 acres of open space, including family farms, ranches, wildlife habitats, and recreational trails to benefit the entire community.
The economic contributions are substantial: the county's open spaces generate at least $2.96 billion in value each year. Over a century, this amounts to an asset value of at least $138.9 billion, making conservation not just an environmental priority, but a smart economic investment in the county's future.
Santa Barbara County's network of outdoor recreation sites draws millions of visitors annually, driving nearly $900 million in economic activity and supporting over 5,000 local jobs. With every visitor dollar supporting $1.40 in total economic activity, the industry is a cornerstone of local prosperity.
From hazard mitigation strategies to conservation initiatives, appreciating the full value provided by Santa Barbara’s natural capital supports better choices. This study concludes by recommending new research into the return on investment in conservation and the economic impact of agricultural lands, to ensure that Santa Barbara continues to thrive for generations.
