The Wildling Art Museum is offering a free slide show and panel discussion about the natural areas to visit in the Santa Barbara Backcountry on April 8 from 7 to 9 p.m. This latest offering in the Wildling’s “Get Inspired!” series of programs is an opportunity to learn more about local trails from a panel of experienced hikers and trail riders. Each speaker will give a brief presentation. Afterward, there will be an informal panel to answer questions about various aspects of visiting the backcountry.
Presenters include James Wapotich, who frequently leads hikes and backpacking trips and has recently completed training as a Volunteer Wilderness Ranger. He’s currently working on a book on the Santa Barbara backcountry and is the author of “Trail Quest,” the weekly hiking column in the Santa Barbara NewsPress.
Graham Goodfield, another panelist, is the owner of Los Padres Outfitters and has been guiding people on trail riding, mule-packing, and camping trips for many years through the Los Padres National Forest.
Representing the UCSB Sedgwick Reserve, director Kate McCurdy will give a presentation about the 5,896-acre site in the Santa Ynez Valley, which is administered through the University of California, Santa Barbara.
For more information, call the museum at 688-1082 or visit wildlingmuseum.org.
Arts Briefs is compiled by Arts Editor Shelly Cone. Information should be sent to the Sun via fax, e-mail, or mail.
This article appears in Mar 31 – Apr 7, 2011.
