November 2009

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More Mesa is a always fertile ground for our many area photographers … no matter the season. In addition to the treasure trove of photographs from our own Lynn Watson, (see September 2009 News) we often discover other More Mesa photographers.

This month we feature several shots from Yuji Kozaki of the Donald Bren School of Environmental Science & Management at UCSB. We are indebted to Yuji for allowing us to use his images. Thanks Yuji.

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Great Horned Owl and Red-Tailed Hawk on More Mesa, by Yuji Kozaki

wren, pali
Rock Wren and Phainopepla on More Mesa, by Yuji Kozaki

dragonfly, butterfly
Black Saddlebags and Painted Lady on More Mesa, by Yuji Kozaki

October 2009

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Email Address Change
We have changed the MMPC e-mail address; the new address is associated with our web site, and will no longer be connected with any particular web service provider. Please could you change your records for the More Mesa Preservation Coalition per the Contact Page.  Thanks!

Winter Visitors Starting to Arrive
Many raptors spend the winter at More Mesa, and, we are happy to note that the first of these visitors has already been seen …  a Northern Harrier Hawk.

Weed Eradication
The More Mesa Preservation Coalition is pleased to report that we are cooperating with County Parks and the Santa Barbara Agricultural Commissioner, David Chang, in a process to remove an extremely harmful invasive known as “Russian Knapweed” from More Mesa.  Currently about ¼ acre of this weed can be found on County owned sections of the northwest part of More Mesa (see map below).  However, the weed is known to spread easily and rapidly, so eradication of this relatively small area is very important.  Complete eradication of the existing Russian Knapweed will take about three years, but will go a long way toward preventing the spread of this noxious non-native onto the upper portions of More Mesa.

Updated Biological Resources Study
MMPC has learned that field work for the Bio Study has definitely been completed.  However the report is on hold and no estimated release date is currently available.

kanpweed
knapweed map
Knapweed, and map of knapweed on More Mesa. Click on map for larger image.

September 2009

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Highlighting a Special Friend of More Mesa
One of the delightful aspects of our Monthly News Reports are the wonderful photos of More Mesa that accompany each report. These photos, like almost all the photos on our More Mesa web site, have been created by Lynn Watson; our web manager and photographer extraordinaire. This month’s news features some of Lynn’s favorite photos of More Mesa. To learn more about Lynn, and some of her many contributions to MMPC, visit the Friends section of this web site.

Sign Up on Line
And speaking of Lynn’s work, a new feature has been added to our web site. Anyone interested in becoming More Mesa Preservation Coalition supporter can now sign up on line by clicking the button on the right hand side of the home page. It’s simple, easy and takes virtually no time at all. If you are already a supporter, encourage your friends who care about More Mesa to sign up as well.

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birds
Favorite landscape and bird images from More Mesa.

August 2009

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Bio Study Report
We are still awaiting release of the draft report on the year long Updated Biological Resources Study of More Mesa.  Field work was completed in the early summer and the report is expected to be out within the next month or so.

Another Award for the More Mesa Handbook
MMPC is both pleased and honored to report that the More Mesa Handbook has received yet another award as an educational document.  This recognition, also from the American Planning Association was garnered in a competition for all of California! The award will be presented at a statewide event at Lake Tahoe in mid September.

People
The More Mesa Preservation Coalition is pleased to announce that Caroline Robillard has recently joined our Board of Directors. Welcome Caroline!   We are also happy to report that two interns from UCSB have joined our team as well. Jillian Roberts and Brecken Smith will be working with Board members on a wide variety of tasks: including building our supporter base, wildlife observations and research.  Look for profiles of these new team members in upcoming features in our “People” section.  We also welcome the more than 100 people who have joined our list of supporters during the past year.  The graphic below, showing our nearly 1000 supporters, clearly illustrates the strong constituency of this wonderful open space.

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santa cruz islan
Channel from More Mesa in August, 2009. 

July 2009

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Fence at End of Mockingbird Lane
Many of you may recall that we had a dangerous fire on the northeast corner of More Mesa exactly two years ago.  There is good reason to believe that the 2007 fire was ignited by sparks from a motorized vehicle.  In order to minimize the possibility of a recurrence, neighbors on the northeast corner of More Mesa have constructed a perimeter fence to prohibit motorized vehicles from entering More Mesa.  This fence has also been signposted.  The accompanying sign indicates clearly that the path being used is on private property, and that both motorized vehicles and smoking are not permitted.  We ask all of our More Mesa supporters to conscientiously observe these two simple restrictions. Thanks!

County Resolution on More Mesa Handbook
More exciting news … The County of Santa Barbara has passed a resolution recognizing the More Mesa Handbook.

“Be it hereby ordered and resolved that this Board of Supervisors recognizes the More Mesa Preservation Coalition and AMEC Earth and Environmental for their outstanding work in publishing the award winning More Mesa Handbook, and the County’s historic interest in this site’s important environmental and esthetic resources and values, as reflected in the County’s own adopted plans and polices.”

The More Mesa Handbook may be accessed on line here.

More Mesa Outreach Event
In late June, Bonnie Freeman, one of our most ardent supporters, hosted a wonderful event to highlight the importance of preserving More Mesa.  This afternoon party, featured artists working to create paintings of More Mesa, guided walks on the west side of More Mesa, informational talks, refreshments, and opportunities for fellowship with other More Mesa enthusiasts. Thanks to everyone who contributed to the success of this event!

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Painting the cliffs of More Mesa. 

Posted in Art