Since 2010, Channel Islands Restoration (CIR) in partnership with the San Marcos Foothills Coalition (SMFC) has restored habitat for native animals in several critical areas on the Preserve. Financial support for these projects came from the SMFC, the Goleta Valley Land Trust and outdoor retailers, REI and Patagonia.
These projects were designed to improve the native plant communities that support species such as burrowing owls, breeding grasshopper sparrows, breeding white-tailed kites, raptors, and other native animals. Two of the larger projects were designed to increase biodiversity and ecological function on approximately three acres of burned riparian and coastal sage scrub habitat adjacent to Atascadero and Cieneguitas Creeks. Long-term grazing in these areas favored the growth of non-native and invasive plants, and the area was damaged by the Jesusita Fire in 2009. Following the fire, both sites saw a marked increase in the presence of non-native invasive plants. CIR started by removing invasive plant species with the help of hundreds of volunteers, and and this was followed by the planting of more than 4,700 native plants grown from locally collected seed.
In addition to the creekside projects, CIR has been removing invasive plants along trails, particularly in native grassland areas and wetlands. We have also planted natives at the Preserves' Via Gaitero entrance. As of this writing (August 2015) CIR has worked with a total 1,319 volunteers on the San Marcos Foothills Preserve!
In 2021, Channel Islands Restoration along with Save San Marcos Foothills, Chumash communities, Channel Islands Restoration, and a Leadership Team with expertise in fundraising and organization including the Law Office of Marc Chytilo, Legacy Works, and Mary Rose & Associates helped to save the West Mesa of the San Marcos Foothills from housing development. Together, the group raised $18.6 million in 90 days from over 5,500 donors and loans from individuals and institutions including Montecito Bank & Trust.
The Santa Barbara Foundation serves as our fiscal sponsor. We have been quietly working to retire our outstanding loans, and we are currently waiting to hear on some significant contributions, which will inform us of the final amount we need to raise to retire all short and long-term loans, create an endowment, pay any final costs, and help to restore and manage the land into the future. The property is currently managed by Channel Islands Restoration in cooperation with Foothills Forever and the Allemall Foundation. You can learn more at www.foothillsforever.org
Atascadero Creek Project
CIR staff and volunteers installed a total of 2,875 native plants at the site beginning in 2011. Since the initial plant installation, we planted more natives (mostly grasses) and have removed weeds from the site every year through 2015. Funding for this project was provided by the Goleta Valley Land Trust and by the San Marcos Foothills Coalition.
Cieneguitas Creek Project
CIR staff and volunteers installed a total of 1,760 native plants at the site beginning in 2011. Since the initial planting, we have removed weeds from the site every year through 2015. Funding for this project was provided by the Goleta Valley Land Trust and by the San Marcos Foothills Coalition.
Trailside Weed Control
Starting in 2012, CIR embarked on a project to remove invasive plants along the 2.6 miles of Preserve trails, in sensitive habitats including at the wetland spring near the Antone Road entrance to the Preserve and to install natives plants at the Via Gaitero trailhead. Planning for the project began in early 2012, led by biologist Darlene Chirman and planting and trailside weed removal began in early 2013. Native plants and invasive weed control along trail corridors improved habitat for native animals and also enhanced the experience for people visiting the Preserve. The priority areas where invasive plant removal occurred included:
The Spring near the Antone Road entrance to the Preserve
Several native wetland plants such as spikerush, umbrella sedge and California rose grow at this natural spring near the Antone Road entrance to the Preserve. Because the area is wet year around, several invasive plants also grow at the Spring, including cape ivy, a particularly invasive non-native plant. Because the Spring is a natural wetland and may be a site for a future, larger restoration project, removal of invasive plants in this area is a priority.
Native grasslands and oak woodland
Two native grassland areas and an oak woodland benefited from non-native weed removal during this project. These areas included extensive native purple needed grass, blue-eyed grass and coast live oaks where we removed scattered weeds such as mustard, fennel and thistle.
Planting at the Via Gaitero trailhead
A total of 137 plants were installed at the Via Gaitero trailhead during initial installation and follow up replanting. Extensive browsing from pocket gophers, brush rabbits and deer caused many of the plants to die. Subsequent re-planting included above and below ground browse cages that improved the survival of the replacement plants.
Funding for this project was provided by REI, the Ventura Patagonia store and the San Marcos Foothills Coalition. Scroll down to see photos of staff and volunteers performing this work and for a list of plants installed at the Via Gaitero trailhead.