Sharing a Love of Nature History and Rangeland
Herb and Mareva Barthels
“I’m known for being on the ocean, but my heart is on the rangeland.”
Anyone who has seen Herb Barthels’ tall frame and broad shoulders would not be surprised to hear of his history as an open ocean roughwater swimmer, triathlete, sports fisherman and diver. And Mareva’s sunny disposition may well have come from growing up on a lagoon in French Tahiti, where she spent her youth fishing and exploring her oceanside home.
Today, they live on a bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean in Santa Barbara. Yet in the cooler months of the year, they spend half their days at a temporary inland home, on ranchland.
Mareva says “the ocean is stimulating and unpredictable; if you spend several hours breathing in the ocean spray you will be very energized.” When Herb introduced her to the Cholame Valley, she discovered a whole new world where she says she can “just bond with nature; there is a peacefulness and serenity that I never got on the ocean.”
The couple discovered Cholame Valley 31 years ago on a “birdwatching” trip. For their trip, Herb gave Mareva a pair of powerful binoculars which enabled her to see the nature she was hearing all around her. It was a life-changing experience for her: “You don’t stop discovering [out at the ranch], and you don’t stop learning from nature!”
A few years later, at one of California Rangeland Trust’s signature A Western Affair events, Herb met Jack Varian of the V6 Ranch in the Valley and a friendship began. Conserved with the Rangeland Trust in 2001, the V6 has become “a home away from home” for Herb and Mareva. They continue to be impressed by the many innovative, collaborative and thoughtful programs that Jack and his family have built there—from running cattle with urban visitors to monitoring the San Andreas Fault with the US Geological Service and Departments of Fish & Wildlife.
Herb also has a passion for history and preservation and has been very active throughout his life in celebrating the rich cultural heritage of his Santa Barbara home. He appreciates how the region “is always reminding you of Old Spain, the Mission period and Rancho history,” such as through the old adobe architecture and iconic celebrations (including Old Spanish Days Fiesta, for which Herb has served as “El Presidente”).
Preservation of history on the land is just as important to Herb. In addition to the Varians, he has been inspired by the Kings, Chamberlins, Gregersens and Sintons—all long-time Central Coast ranching families he admires for their responsibility toward the lands in their care. It was an easy decision for him to join with an organization that is enabling such ranchers to further the important work they are doing on their rangelands.
As far as their decision to include the Rangeland Trust as a beneficiary of their charitable remainder trust, Herb says, “Their efforts and responsibilities speak for themselves. The ranchers that work with the Rangeland Trust, the families that conserve their land, they are truly California’s legacy.”
Like Herb and Mareva, you, too, can have an even bigger impact on California’s legacy through a charitable remainder trust or other gift in your estate plan. We are happy to help you find a gift that meets your personal and charitable goals. Please contact Shannon Foucault at (916) 444-2096 or sfoucault@rangelandtrust.org to discuss your options.