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The Devereux Watershed is uniquely situated in a growing urban area, Goleta, located 10 miles north of Santa Barbara, California. S&W's primary area of concern in the watershed, Coal Oil Point, is bordered by the Pacific Ocean to the south, Ellwood nature area to the west, Ocean Meadows Golf Course to the north, and land formerly owned by the Devereux School to the east. Coal Oil Point rewards the visitor with beautiful views of the Central California Coast, and of the Santa Ynez mountains.

The Devereux Watershed and its adjacent shoreline include a variety of habitats and supports a wide range of plant and animal species. Devereux creek – the main stream in the watershed – drains into the Devereux Slough. Devereux Slough is a seasonally open canyon mouth estuary and is influenced by tidal water between two and three times per year. Other habitats near Coal Oil Point include sandy beach, a rocky reef, a coastal dune system, vernal pools, non-native grasslands and introduced Eucalyptus and Cypress groves.

Over 50 species of birds can be found in the Devereux Watershed and at Coal Oil Point at any time of year. This region boasts the largest wintering population of Snowy Plovers, a federally protected threatened species. Endangered bird species that visit this region include California Least Tern, Belding's Savannah Sparrow, and Brown Pelican. Other important bird species include White-tailed Kite, Loggerhead Shrike, Merlin, and Peregrine Falcon. Several species of fish, including the Endangered Tidewater Goby are found in Devereux Slough. Ventura Marsh Milkvetch – a species of plant that was formerly thought to be extinct – is being restored near Coal Oil Point.