Author: MMPC

August 2013

Posted on | by MMPC

The Good Work Continues
Last month we called on Citizen Scientists to help us document any evidence of kite nesting on More Mesa. That call has been answered … and with some very good news!  We now have documented evidence that there are almost certainly two nesting pairs of kites on More Mesa this year. First, not one, as previously reported, but two fledglings have been seen on the west side of More Mesa.  These two were recently observed hunting with their parents.  And now, we have photographs of two fledglings on east More Mesa.  And, in this case the two adults were also observed hunting nearby.

Although these numbers are smaller than average, they are very gratifying, especially in light of the drought conditions we have been experiencing.  Indeed, most of the historical kite nests in the Goleta Valley have been abandoned this year, making chicks produced on More Mesa all the more important. We thank Wayne Kimbell for the eastern fledgling photographs below.

kite fledgling kite fledglings

July 2013

Posted on | by MMPC

Citizen Scientists Created a Record:
In MMPC’s April Monthly News report we encouraged our supporters to become “Citizen Stewards” of More Mesa by reporting any inappropriate activities observed on More Mesa. This month we would like to reprise a similar theme … that of the “Citizen Scientist”. For more than thirteen years, MMPC has played an active role in the collection of important scientific data about More Mesa. We have done this by archiving reported observations of rare birds, plants and animals. Much of this anecdotal, but extremely valuable information, was collated and documented in our More Mesa Handbook, hosted on this site.

Citizen Scientists Still At Work:
More Mesa provides excellent habitat for probably the most important White-tailed Kite population on the South Coast. Two or three pairs of this beautiful raptor, the signature bird of MMPC, and a fully protected species in the state of California, routinely make More Mesa their home.

And, this year, true to form, there has been a report of a chick located in the area of the historical kite nest on west More Mesa. This sighting, with two others recently reported, document the fact that we have at least two pairs of kites in residence on More Mesa this year; with at least one of these a nesting pair. Another recent submittal by a Citizen Scientist was a fox sighting, also on west More Mesa.

Thanks for all of your good work:
Once again … we call on all Citizen Scientists to keep an eye out for evidence of kite nesting, chicks or fledglings on east More Mesa as well other areas of More Mesa. Perhaps you can also spot the fox, and even the bobcat pair that have often raised a family on the west side of More Mesa.

baby kites
Archived photo of baby kites on More Mesa, by Morgan Ball

June 2013

Posted on | by MMPC

More Mesa in the Media 
The “first ever” issue of our More Mesa Preservation Coalition e-update was published in mid May. All MMPC supporters who have supplied us with an e-mail address received this single, short page of information on what is happening on, and about, More Mesa. Our new feature sparked interest in many quarters, and prompted an excellent column by Barney Brantingham in the 25 May 2013 issue of the Santa Barbara Independent. Barney’s column touched on More Mesa’s past, present and future.

Consider, for example, an item Barney mentioned in More Mesa’s past. That item was the proposed 1965 Buena Vida development; a scheme which would have covered More Mesa with 800 houses, a 20-acre golf course, a tennis club, a beach club and several large pools. Also featured in the plan was a series of residences to be built just below the bluffs. These homes would currently reside in the Pacific Ocean!

You can find the full article at   More Mesa’s Nine Lives

Lichen
Lichen on the lone Toyon shrub on More Mesa

May 2013

Posted on | by MMPC

Monthly Supporter Update
The More Mesa Preservation Coalition (MMPC) is now more than 1100 supporters strong. However, we realize that, in this busy era, most people do not have the time to check our monthly news on the web site. And, because there is not an urgent threat apparent on the horizon, More Mesa is often not a top priority for the community. So, in the interest of informing and educating, we are initiating a monthly e-mail update to all our supporters, This single, simple, page will be sent to all those who have expressed an interest in being informed about current happenings, or would like additional information on, or about, More Mesa.

Topics on the update will include, but not be limited to:

  • News about potential development on More Mesa
  • Answers to frequently asked questions: Although we already have several questions that will be answered over the next few months, we encourage all who are interested in More Mesa to submit any questions you might have as well. Questions should be e-mailed to the address provided on the Contact page.
  • This month on More Mesa: Issues of particular interest for the month. These may be about legal questions, plants, animals, birds … or any other pertinent subject.
  • The Past: Some brief and interesting facets of More Mesa’s past.
  • How You Can Help: All of us are often frustrated because things do not move quickly with regard to More Mesa. This section will offer suggestions on how supporters can help us achieve our mission, and how to build against potential development threats in the future.

The first issue of this short e-update will appear in the middle of this month and continue in months following. You must have supplied MMPC with an e-mail address in order to receive it. We hope you find this update useful, and welcome any suggestions or feedback on its contents, format etc.

April 2013

Posted on | by MMPC

To Citizen Stewards
For more than a decade, our supporters have been active citizen scientists by reporting sightings of rare birds, animals and plants that are observed on More Mesa.  These reports have contributed significantly to our base of scientific knowledge about this last remaining jewel of coastal open space.  Many in our community have been unheralded stewards of More Mesa for these many years as well.

However, this month we would like to recognize recent activities of a group of recreational trail users, members of the Trails Council, who have noted, documented and reported some extremely distressing vandalism on the county-owned section of More Mesa (More Mesa Open Space). Because of their diligence and follow-up, all appropriate agencies and individuals are now involved and addressing this issue.

With this in mind, we encourage all of you who use More Mesa to help in active stewardship by reporting any inappropriate activities that you observe on More Mesa.  These include, unauthorized digging, tagging of trees and plants, defacing, cutting and removal of trees, shrubs and plants.  To report these activities, please e-mail Jeff Lindgren, Parks Operations Manager, South County Parks Operations, at jlindgren@sbparks.org.

Thanks for all your help!

*Most More Mesa visitors are responsible users. In addition to the normal, reponsible use of More Mesa trails, we are fortunate to have a local organization that promotes sustainable trail access: the Santa Barbara Trails Council. If you would like to learn more about sustainable trail use and maintenance, volunteer opportunities and stewardship for Santa Barbara area trails, become part of the trail community by visiting https://sbtrails.org/

vandalism