UC Santa Barbara is getting an 1800 acre ranch on the Gaviota coastline from a philanthropist. Charles Munger gave Las Varas Ranch to UCSB. The ranch is about six miles west of the university campus, and stretches from the ocean inland to the Los Padres National Forest.
Munger is Vice Chairman of Berkshire Hathaway, the huge investment fund controlled by Warren Buffett.
The billionaire has given hundreds of millions of dollars to UCSB over the years. Plans call for the property to continue as a working ranch. It has more than 500 acres of pastureland and an 18 acre lake.
This week, UC Regents formally approved UCSB’s acceptance of the gift.