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Dangermond Preserve and Point Conception Institute

Managed Public Visitation Programs

A man stands and speaks in front of a group of sitting students in a grassy meadow with ocean in the background.
Nature Bridge Educator at JLDP A Nature Bridge Educator talks to students about conservation at TNC’s Jack and Laura Dangermond Preserve. © Jinsu Elhance

Managed Public Visitation Programs and Preserve Access

To meet the Preserve’s mission of restoring and preserving cultural and natural resources, supporting cutting-edge science with state-of-the-art technologies, and facilitating educational programs, our public access is through guided activities on the Preserve. These activities are focused on conservation science and environmental education that aligns with our mission.

Person Visiting Dangermond A scenic landscape photo with lupin in focus in the foreground and clouds and foothills out of focus in the background. In the shrubs, you can see the silhouette of a person. © Chelsea Nielsen/TNC

Expert-led tours

We are working to develop expert-led tours that focus on community education that aligns with the Preserve’s mission. These trips will be coordinated with partners to provide opportunities to visit and learn about the Preserve and the value of conserving wild places. Please contact us if you are interested in visiting the Preserve and we will be in touch as soon as there are updates on the program.  

Oregon Volunteer Naturalist A volunteer naturalist at Cascade Head Preserve. © Molly Dougherty/TNC

Volunteer Days

We host volunteer days at the Jack and Laura Dangermond Preserve several times a year. The focus and timing shift to match with current needs and activities. Volunteer days allow the public to visit the preserve to work on an activity or project that will enhance the Preserve and support our mission. If you are interested in volunteering at the Preserve, please complete this form and we will reach out about future opportunities.

Students in the field Students out in nature at the Dangermond Preserve. © Jess Bolton/TNC

Environmental Education

Our environmental education program is cultivating the next generation of leaders to solve the world’s increasingly complex environmental challenges. We are partnering with the Lompoc School District and NatureBridge to bring middle school and high school students to the Preserve for educational field trips. These field trips focus on the ecology of and conservation at the Preserve.

Environmental Education Join Diego Ortiz, Environmental Education Program Manager at the Jack and Laura Dangermond Preserve. Walk along with students in the field and find out just how wild a classroom can be.
EE Students Hiking Uphill Environmental education program participants hike up Long Canyon Road. © Brea Jones/TNC

Higher-education trips

To promote science and conservation in higher education, we support field trips to the Dangermond Preserve. The Preserve’s diversity of habitats and conservation efforts creates a range of topics to highlight course topics and enhance learning through experiential lessons. Currently, we partner with the Landscape Architecture Department at Cal Poly Pomona. Students in their upper-division studio course have developed landscape designs based on ideas for a more sustainable future. Faculty interested in bringing their class to the Preserve should check back soon for more information as this program continues to develop.

DP Wildlife Camera set up L-R: Sara Beery (CalTech-Google), Nathaniel Rindlaub (TNC), Jinsu Elhance (TNC) and Kelly Easterday (TNC) set up wireless live-streaming wildlife cameras at Dangermond. © Elizabeth Hiroyasu/TNC

Research

The Preserve is closely aligned with the Point Conception Institute to leverage science and technology in this rare stretch of Southern California, to better understand and conserve cultural and natural resources at the Preserve and throughout the world. Researchers interested in working or partnering with the Preserve can find more information on the Point Conception Institute page.

Coastal Access

The public can access the coast via Jalama Road, which passes through the middle of the Preserve, and visit the beach at the Jalama County Beach Park for surfing, fishing, beach walks, and camping.

During the acquisition of the property in 2017, The Nature Conservancy transferred 36 acres to the county park, doubling the size of the park and increasing coastal public access.

Point Conception Lighthouse

The Point Conception Lighthouse is owned by the U.S. military, and only authorized personnel are permitted—despite what you might see on hiking trail apps. We ask the public to please respect all posted signs and not trespass.