A newly protected stretch of coastline in Santa Barbara

While thousands of firefighters were out battling the Thomas Fire in southern Santa Barbara County back in December, a historic gift of pristine coastline was taking place upshore. The Nature Conservancy bought a 240,000 acre plot of land surrounding Point Conception, thanks to a $165 million donation from a wealthy tech-couple, Jack and Laura Dangermond. It was the largest single gift the Nature Conservancy has ever received.