December 2009

As 2009 nears its close, MMPC celebrates, not only this happy season, but almost a decade of pursuing our vision … preserving all of More Mesa … forever. And, as has been our custom, we would like to share some highlights of what has been happening on More Mesa, and our work during the past year.

  • Bio Study
    MMPC has learned that field work for the Bio Study has definitely been completed.  However the report has been put on hold and no release date is available.

  • More Mesa For Sale
    As we reported last year More Mesa is still for sale, with the asking price remaining at $85 Million.  However, with current economic conditions as they are, it would not be unreasonable to assume that the price has, or may, drop below that figure.  We will keep you informed of any developments in this area.

  • More Mesa Handbook
    At the end of last year we reported the publication of the More Mesa Handbook, a comprehensive document describing the resources, history and constraints on More Mesa.  In early 2009, the Handbook was formally “launched” during an extremely successful event; one attended by almost 80 people – see this page.

    Since then, the Handbook has been gathering raves and praise from all sectors, both public and private!  Indeed, it has received two prestigious awards for being an “Outstanding Education Resource” from the American Planning Association – California, as well as being cited in a Santa Barbara County Resolution.  Most recently, the Handbook was nominated for an award from the Association of Environmental Professionals.  During 2009, dozens of hard copies and disks have been distributed to public officials, County and City staffs, educational institutions, scientists, funding organizations and interested private citizens.  The Handbook may be downloaded  here.

  • Fence at End of Mockingbird Lane
    In order to minimize the possibility of fire, neighbors on the northeast corner of More Mesa have constructed a perimeter fence, to prohibit illegal motorized vehicles.  There are also ongoing efforts to investigate the possibility of a similar construction on the west side of More Mesa.

  • And      …
    • MMPC is cooperating with County Parks in a process to remove an extremely harmful invasive known as “Russian Knapweed” from County owned sections of More Mesa.
    • Our data base is nearing 1000 supporters.
    • We have a new e-mail address.

Finally, our winter visitors are out on More Mesa!  Especially look for up to four Northern Harriers that have already been reported.

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

grebes
Large number of grebes seen daily off More Mesa bluffs.
While thousands of grebes can normally be seen off northern Santa Barbara
County 
at this time of year, this is an unusually large number for southern
Santa Barbara County, and the grebes are more numerous off
More Mesa bluffs than other locations.
Photo by Yuji Kozaki

October 2009

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.