Open-Space Preservation Educational Network

OPEN Homepage
Gaviota Coast Plan
Santa Ynez Community Plan
Agricultural Futures Alliance
Bailey Avenue
Goleta Valley Community Plan
Agricultural Permit Streamlining (LUDC)

The Open space Preservation Educational Network (OPEN) project is a program of the Environmental Defense Center that provides a proactive approach to protecting rural and open space lands in Santa Barbara County. The purpose of OPEN is to interest and engage sectors of our community in a dialog related to the long term preservation of agriculture and open space, and avoidance of sprawl at the urban/rural interface. The goal of the OPEN project is to create an informed and productive opportunity to cooperatively consider what policies effectively promote (or undermine) the goal of preserving open space lands in our region.

The OPEN project includes a planning and policy component where proposed policies and ordinances are assessed for their potential impact on long term preservation of open space. EDC lends its expertise and provides a venue for broad discussions about community plans and interests. OPEN also involves extensive outreach and coordination with various stakeholders interested in General Plan processes in an effort to promote mutual goals and find common ground around controversial issues. We seek to build bridges among environmentalists, progressive groups, farmers and their advocacy groups, and ranchers and landowners.

Since its inception, the OPEN project has influenced the outcomes of various policy issues related to the preservation of agricultural lands, open space and the urban-rural boundary throughout unincorporated Santa Barbara County. The OPEN project is an important resource for local stakeholders in assessing Santa Barbara County’s General Plan and policy documents and associated updates.