Thursday May 19, 2022
CoastalView —
Earlier this year, the Carpinteria-based nonprofit South Coast Habitat Restoration (SCHR) completed a decades-long endeavor to remove three barriers found in creeks in Los Padres National Forest, helping the steelhead trout population find safe passage and thrive. The recent project also improved the habitat for other fish and amphibians, like red-legged frogs, while increasing safety for recreationists.
CVN caught up with the organization’s founder and director, Mauricio Gomez, who has led the the nonprofit and its mission to improve the habitat of the steelhead trout, an endangered species.
Describe South Coast Habitat Restoration and its work. Why did you found SCHR and what is its focus?
Mauricio Gomez: South Coast Habitat Restoration is a non-profit organization, fiscally sponsored by Earth Island Institute. It was started in 2007 for the purpose of restoring habitat in the Santa Barbara and Ventura region.
Our work has focused on improving habitat for the federally endangered steelhead trout. This is accomplished by working with landowners, private and/or government (i.e. State Parks, County, Forest Service) who are interested in collaborating with our organization to improve habitat.