Dunn Middle School students remove iceplant from a wetland in Goleta Slough
Photo Credit: Marc Kummel
Santa Barbara Audubon implemented habitat restoration in the Goleta Slough on various project sites from 1998 through spring 2003. We began with Pampas grass removal in 1998 (see below), and continued with revegetation of cleared sites with native malt marsh and coastal sage scrub vegetation. Project sites were on Gas Company property, County and University land, and private farmland. Funding came from several sources, including a Coastal Resource Enhancement Fund (CREF) grant award in 2000 for $15,500 to plant native vegetation in 5 areas of Goleta Slough where we have removed Pampas grass as part of the Pampas Grass Control Project. We also controlled Pampas grass on the UCSB East Bluffs, where there are biologically important freshwater seeps. The CREF grant funds derive from the oil companies as a partial mitigation of impacts from the following offshore oil and gas projects: Point Arguello, Point Pedernales, Santa Ynez Unit, and Gaviota Terminal, and are administered by Santa Barbara County.
CalPIRG Students planting Atascadero Creek margin area, |
The Shoreline Preservation Fund of the University of California at Santa Barbara, funded a Weed Management Component of the Goleta Slough Habitat Enhancement Project with several grants. This grant program of the Associated Students awarded Santa Barbara Audubon funds for weed control associated with our Goleta Slough restoration projects. We are removing seedlings of Pampas grass, Myoporum shrubs and Castor bean, and investigating alternatives to herbicides for controlling such invasive exotics such as Arundo (Giant reed) and iceplant. In salt marsh areas with high cover of native vegetation, removal of non-native plants such as Curly dock is the only restoration required. This funding also helps us in site preparation and plant maintenance for our planting efforts, largely in the upland margin of the wetlands more susceptible to weed invasion. Most of the project sites were in Goleta Slough near Atascadero Creek, wetland and adjacent upland margins. |
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The final restoration site in Goleta Slough will be completed in late spring 2003. This 1.5 acre site along both sides of Tecolotito Creek outside of the boundaries of Goleta Beach Park. Audubon was awarded a grant from the Coastal Resource Grant Program of $28,890 (from the State) and a local match of $5000 from the County of Santa Barbara. The high marsh plant community is a rare habitat in Goleta Slough today, with extensive filling of the slough in the past, and modifications of the margins such that the slopes are generally steep. Near the bicycle bridge north of Highway 217 and near Sandspit Road, there is gradual sloping area above the Pickleweed salt marsh previously invaded with Hottentot fig (iceplant). We have removed the iceplant and planted the native plants found in this plant community, including Sea lavender, Parish's glasswort, and Matscale, all sensitive plant species. 2000 linear feet of slough margin were enhanced by removal of non-native Myoporum shrubs, thistles, and Poison hemlock, and replaced with native plants: Suaeda, California sagebrush, Quail bush, Coast goldenbush. Our efforts will improve foraging habitat for the state-endangered Belding's Savannah Sparrow and marsh-dependent butterflies such as the Pygmy Blue butterfly. |
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The restored high marsh plant community once infested with iceplant. Tecolotito Creek in Goleta Slough.
October 2002. |
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Thank you to all the volunteers who assisted in restoration of the Goleta Slough ecosystem!
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Pampas grass is native to South America, and was introduced to California as an ornamental plant, for its decorative plumes. Unfortunately, the plant has invaded natural areas, especially coastal wetlands, bluffs and sand dunes. It displaces native vegetation, and provides poor habitat for birds and other wildlife. Because seeds are dispersed by the wind, and each plant can produce hundreds-of-thousands of seeds, coordinating the removal of plants on adjacent properties is essential for successful control. |
Pampas grass removal by volunteers, Atascadero Creek, Goleta Slough, |
Santa Barbara Audubon Society initiated the Pampas Grass Control Project in Goleta Slough in 1998, which continued for 2 1/2 years. The project was funded by the California Exotic Pest Plant Council, which awarded SBAS $54,175. The project included four components: 1) mapping of Pampas grass in the Goleta Slough Management Area, 2) Pampas grass removal from property of willing landowners, 3) Evaluation of management practices, and working with land managers to control Pampas grass, and 4) Public education - educate community residents about the impact of non-native invasive plants on our native ecosystem, the poor habitat value of Pampas grass, and ways individuals can help. Many landowners and managers in the Goleta Slough removed Pampas grass from their own purposes or in response to requests from Audubon. Many other landowners cooperated with Audubon efforts and allowed us access to their property for removal efforts. Manual removal was the method of choice in many sensitive habitat areas. Limited herbicide spraying of plants was utilized in remote sites where removal was impossible or impractical. However, where access was feasible and many large plants were present, this was our favorite tool:
Pampas grass removal by backhoe, Atascadero Creek Bikeway; the best technique for removing large Pampas grass plants where access is adequate with no damage to native vegetation, photo courtesy Darlene Chirman
We also completed removal of Pampas grass in the fall of 1998 on a 3 acre salt marsh area in the Slough. By April, 1999, the native salt marsh vegetation had begun to fill in the bare areas left after removal of the Pampas grass-- Pickleweed, Jaumea, Frankenia and Salt grass. Removal of non-native plants can be a powerful restoration tool!
In 2001-2002, Audubon partnered with the Weed Management Area of Santa Barbara County for continued Pampas grass control in the Goleta slough ecosystem.
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San Jose Creek Restoration Project was a joint project of Santa Barbara Urban Creek Council and Santa Barbara Audubon. Urban Creeks Council worked out a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Santa Barbara County Parks, Flood Control, and fire Department in 1994, and gained permission to conduct restoration activities in 11 project areas along San Jose Creek between Cathedral Oaks Road and Calle Real. In 2001, the Southern California Wetland Recovery Project awarded the Community Environmental Council grant funds to expand the restoration efforts within the MOU sites. Growing Solutions, the Restoration Education Institute, is implementing the Restoration Plan. Contact Growing Solutions if you wish to participate: email or phone 452-7561. |
Audubon began restoration activities at the Ellwood Acres or Matilda Swale site in the Devereux watershed in 1995. Invasive plants were removed from the wetland, and the slopes on either side have had supplemental plantings of Coast live oaks, Purple needlegrass, and Blue-eyed grass. The planting is done, and it's beautiful in the springtime when the wildflowers are blooming. Access is from the end of Ellwood Beach Drive - turn towards the beach from Hollister Avenue onto Entrance Road, and immediately turn left onto Ellwood Beach Drive.
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information contacts:
Chapter office address:
5679 Hollister Ave., Suite 5b
Goleta, CA 93117
805-964-1468
Chapter email: audubon@rain.org
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Updated: September 19, 2005
