February 2011

Posted on | by MMPC

It has been several years since the More Mesa Preservation Coalition has reported on the growth of our supporter base, and how important it is to the success of our mission … to preserve More Mesa forever. Therefore, we would like to take this opportunity to reemphasize the significance of building this already large and powerful supporter base, especially at this critical juncture.  That is, with the release of the Draft Updated Bio Resources Report, and the significant drop in the asking price for More Mesa, it is imperative that all members of the community who care deeply about More Mesa be aware of everything that is happening in, around, and about this very special place.

2011 c hart

From the few community residents who chose to be supporters of MMPC in 2000, we have increased to more than 1000 strong (see above).  One of MMPCs major goals for 2011 is to increase the size of the supporter data base by at least 25%.  This goal, while ambitious, is extremely important. This is because, should the status of any aspect of More Mesa change, at any time, we want all of the community to know about it … and know about it quickly.  Agility, and the ability to respond to any issue effectively and promptly are essential. To accomplish this growth, we are planning an aggressive outreach program.  It will consist of both tabling and talks, designed to inform our community and engage them in the process of preserving More Mesa.

You can help by talking about More Mesa to your family, friends, neighbors and colleagues.  Urge them to be included on the MMPC supporter list, by signing up on the home page of this web site or contacting us at the email address on the Contact page. We ask that supporters supply an e-mail address, and at least one other form of contact (mailing address and/or phone) so that we easily relocate those who change servers.  Please know that all contact information is held in the strictest of confidence and will not be supplied to any other person or organization … ever.

You can also help by letting us know of any fraternal, civic, religious, service, environmental or other, organization that would like to have a uniquely tailored, and illustrated talk on More Mesa.  We can accommodate presentations of any length, or emphasis, and we provide all the necessary AV equipment.

Thanks so much for all your help.

more mesa

January 2011

Posted on | by MMPC

Welcome to a New Year!

Draft of Updated Biological Resources Study: We have excellent news to report this month!
In late December, we received notice that the long awaited Draft of the Updated More Mesa Biological Resource Study has been issued by Santa Barbara County, and is now available on their web site:

http://www.sbcountyplanning.org/projects/07CNS-00116/index.cfm

Please note that the report, as presented, is a draft.  That is, several lengthy additional procedural steps, as required by the Goleta Community Plan, must be taken to finalize the study.  These involve public processes, in which the community as well as decision makers, will participate.

The More Mesa Preservation Coalition is reviewing the draft study and will provide input at appropriate times during the remainder of the process.  A cursory scan of the 429 page report* seems to indicate that Rincon Consultants conclude More Mesa is just as environmentally sensitive as was reported in the original 1981 study by UCSB.  In general they found:

  • An equivalent assemblage of plants and plant species, except that Harding Grass (an invasive species) is more widespread and abundant.
  • There are more bird species.
  • Kite activity on More Mesa is more important than ever, especially from a regional perspective.
  • Kite prey are abundant.
  • Wetlands persist in the same areas as previously reported, and are more extensive.

The report appears thorough and has used more recent technology (such as GPS mapping) to evaluate the environmental sensitivity of More Mesa.  However, additional analysis will be required to evaluate both land use issues, and development potential implications of these findings.  From Rincon’s conclusions, it appears safe to say that More Mesa is as sensitive as ever … and, from that conclusion, we can draw renewed energy to achieve our vision … of preserving More Mesa in perpetuity!!

We are indebted to Alex Tuttle of the County Planning and Development Department for his professional handling of this sensitive project and the part he played in assuring the quality of the material presented in this draft.

As always, thanks for caring about this wonderful place and a very Happy New Year from all of us at the More Mesa Preservation Coalition!

* It may be possible to obtain a hard copy of the Updated Biological Resources Study of More Mesa.  However, because of the size of the report and the large number of detailed foldout maps, the cost will be, understandably, quite high.  We will be posting information on where to obtain such copies on the “Bio Report” section of this web site within a few weeks.

wtk
Thanks to Yuji Kosaki for the wonderful White-tailed Kite image above.

December 2010

Posted on | by MMPC

As this relatively quiet year draws to a close, and has been our custom, we offer some highlights of 2010.

  • Bio Study
    It is nearly a year and a half since the field work for the Updated Biological Resources Study was completed, and the final report has still not available. We have requested estimated release dates several times and have been assured that the report will be available some time in the future … but that has not happened as yet.

  • More Mesa For Sale
    As we reported for the last 2 years, More Mesa remains for sale, with the asking price dropping from $110 Million to $85 Million, and now to $40 Million. As far as we know, it has not been sold. As always, we will keep you informed of any developments in this area.

  • More Mesa Handbook
    Link    . In March 2010, the More Mesa Handbook garnered yet another, and its most prestigious, award to date. This time as winner of the Association of Environmental Professionals (AEP) “2010 Outstanding Public Involvement/Education Program” for the entire state of California!  The award was conferred jointly to AMEC – Earth and Environmental, and the More Mesa Preservation Coalition website. See the April, 2010 News for more details.

  • Tenth Anniversary
    In July of this year the More Mesa Preservation Coalition celebrated its 10th anniversary! In that very eventful decade, we have grown from a tiny cadre of less than 10 concerned neighbors, to a supporter base of well over 1000 community members. To commemorate this landmark, we created a timeline that features the major milestones MMPC has achieved, as well as important events concerning More Mesa.  This timeline can be found in the “Events” Section of this web site at Timeline. We are very proud of our accomplishments, and trust that this 10-year body of work will lay the foundation for the preservation of all of More Mesa—forever.

  • And finally …
    • A Bobcat family has been observed several times on and around More Mesa
    • There appears to be a Monarch butterfly roost on the eastern edge near Hope Ranch.
    • There may be a communal Kite roost near the historic eastern nest site.

As always … thank you all for your wonderful support, and for loving this very special place. Our warmest holiday wishes.

more mesa
Aerial view of More Mesa along the Santa Barbara coastline.

November 2010

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A Different Look At More Mesa … As you all know, we have been experiencing very atypical weather across the South Coast since late spring.  Strong winds, never ending fog, and drizzle are rarely such large components of our weather.  And, of late, heavy rain, with accompanying thunder and lighting have been added to these unusual conditions.  So, in keeping with these strange weather patterns, we present some alternate views of More Mesa; views that are not often seen by most visitors to our favorite place.

We are grateful to photographer Jon Greenleaf for these haunting and engaging images. (Click on an image to see larger version.)

path
fog
eucs
sunset

October 2010

Posted on | by MMPC

Bobcat Family: Over the years, anecdotal, and very informal reports of Bobcat sightings have reached the More Mesa Preservation Coalition.  Moreover, we have never received any written or photographic documentation of these reports. However this year, it has become clear that a Bobcat family is frequenting More Mesa.  The mother was first seen in spring, reappearing  later, in July, with her mate and two kittens (sometimes referred to as “cubs”). It should be noted that, although mating is usually the only time that adult Bobcats are together, this male Bobcat seems to be genuine member of his little family!

Bobcats normally mate in late winter or early spring; although mating can occur at any time. In April or May, the female gives birth to a litter of kittens; typically three, though up to seven may be born.  At birth, weighing in at 10 ounces, the kittens’ eyes are closed.  In about ten days, the eyes open as bright blue, changing to yellow as they grow older. Young are weaned after 2 ½ months and stay with their mother for up to a year.  She begins teaching them how to hunt at about 5 months old.

Speculation is that the cats are coming down from the foothills and following the creeks. The increase in wildlife on the flats that has been noted since recent fires, is believed to be associated with loss of habitat.  We hope that all those who are privileged to see these magnificent animals will remember they are wild animals.  Please respect their presence, keep your distance and refrain from harassing them in any way (as this could be detrimental to their survival).  We trust that as the foothills recover from fire damage, Bobcat habitat will be restored and this family will be able to return to their ancestral hunting territory.

bobcats
Female and one of the kittens