Funding for the implementation of the Monarch Butterfly Habitat Management Plan is provided by the California State Coastal Conservancy.  The Coastal Conservancy is a California state agency, established in 1976, to protect and improve natural lands and waterways, to help people get to and enjoy the outdoors, and to sustain local economies along California’s coast. It acts with others to protect and restore, and increase public access to, California’s coast, ocean, coastal watersheds, and the San Francisco Bay Area. Its vision is of a beautiful, restored, and accessible coast for current and future generations of Californians.

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Funding for fire prevention activities in and near Ellwood Mesa provided is by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection’s Fire Prevention Program as part of the California Climate Investments Program. California Climate Investments is a statewide program that puts billions of Cap-and-Trade dollars to work reducing GHG emissions, strengthening the economy, and improving public health and the environment– particularly in disadvantaged communities. The Cap-and-Trade program also creates a financial incentive for industries to invest in clean technologies and develop innovative ways to reduce pollution. California Climate Investments projects include affordable housing, renewable energy, public transportation, zero-emission vehicles, environmental restoration, more sustainable agriculture, recycling, and much more. At least 35 percent of these investments are located within and benefiting residents of disadvantaged communities, low-income communities, and low-income households across California. For more information, visit the California Climate Investments website at: www.caclimateinvestments.ca.gov.

The City is serious about its responsibility for Ellwood and has invested significant resources and talent to guide its actions. Goleta Parks and Open Space Manager, George Thomson leads the Ellwood project team of consultants helping with: biological data, collection, analysis and monitoring; project planning, design and permitting; and public outreach and engagement.

Althouse & Meade, Inc.	Creekside Science
Rincon Consultants, Inc.	RRM Design Group
LegacyWorks Group	Storrer Environmental

Who manages Ellwood Mesa Open Space and the Goleta Butterfly Grove?

The City of Goleta owns the Sperling Preserve/Ellwood Mesa Open Space and the Goleta Butterfly Grove. The Department of Public Works, Parks and Open Space has responsibility for management, including developing and implementing the fuel reduction and habitat management plans.

Why can’t we leave it alone – let the forest and the butterflies take care of themselves?

If we do nothing, the consequences could include catastrophic loss of the Ellwood Mesa forest, disappearance of overwintering monarch butterflies from Ellwood, property damage to neighbors, and risk of physical harm for members of the public.

Won’t all this work be disruptive to the butterfly habitat?

Work in the aggregation areas will be scheduled outside of the butterfly roosting season and measures will be taken to minimize impacts to other animals and birds. Biologists will be monitoring monarchs and other species throughout the project. We expect the overwintering monarch populations to continue to decline because the forest no longer provides adequate protection during storms. This will occur with or without the restoration work. Once the new trees are tall enough to provide protection, we believe the butterflies will return to the grove. Our plans maximize the probability that monarchs will continue to use the forest of Ellwood Mesa as overwintering grounds for decades to come.

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Questions, comments or ideas? We'd like to hear from you. Please contact the Parks and Open Space Division at ellwoodmesa@cityofgoleta.org