The Utom Conservation Fund was established with settlement money from litigation to protect the Utom River (Santa Clara River in Ventura County, California) on behalf of plaintiffs Wishtoyo Chumash Foundation, Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians, California Native Plant Society, and the Center for Biological Diversity.  The Utom River is the wild heart of Southern California. Its watershed — the largest in the area to remain in a fairly untamed state — is also one of the region’s best, last wild places.

The mission of the Utom River Conservation Fund is to defend, preserve and restore the habitat; threatened, endangered and other species; and the cultural heritage of the Utom River Watershed. Central to our mission is to inspire Indigenous and local communities and stakeholders to care and protect the free-flowing river now and into the future through advocacy and education. 

Our vision at the Utom River Conservation Fund is to ensure that the natural and cultural resources, threatened and endangered species of the Utom River Watershed are valued, protected, and preserved for the benefit of future generations.