March 2014

Many different raptor species have been observed on More Mesa in the past few weeks.  These include: Peregrine Falcon Sharp-shinned Hawk Cooper’s Hawk Loggerhead Shrike Merlin Golden Eagle As evidenced by sightings of a female Northern Harrier Hawk, winter residents are also coming back.  A female Harrier has been seen in the northeast corner of…

Coastal Commission Appeal Not Upheld The Coastal Commission heard MMPC’s full appeal of the Hacienda Vieja Project on 16 November. Unhappily we did not prevail, and the project was approved, 7-4. While additional conditioning was placed on the wetland, kite related issues, and landscaping, the two-story houses remain as part of the development. However, we…

Caves Are No More In several previous issues we discussed the dangerous erosion of the cliffs of the various sections of More Mesa. In October of 2014,  an incident where someone was hurt while in a cave on the western side of More Mesa precipitated a discussion of the geology of More Mesa’s cliffs. Specifically, we noted…

A note from the Board! Some of you may already be aware that I have been selected to be part of a committee tasked with conceiving a vision for the Eastern Goleta Valley (Second District) 20 years from now. The expectation is that this committee’s recommendations will eventually become a framework for the Goleta Community…

So far, we are aware of at least eight fledged chicks from the first broods of More Mesa’s kites. Since kites often have two clutches a year, this early count is an extremely heartening number. Last year, the total count, for the whole breeding period, for all four mated pairs, was ten. This early news…

Candidate Forum As we reported last month, MMPC is sponsoring an informal forum among the candidates for Second District Supervisor. The purpose of the forum will be to hear how each candidate, if elected, proposes to preserve More Mesa, and other open space, in the Second District. The forum will be held on May 11th,…