Montecito Now

Protecting Montecito’s Future

 
 

     Montecito Now is dedicated to the restoration, health, and preservation of Montecito’s trees, especially our two native species, the coastal live oak and the white bark sycamore.

     Beyond the physical damage caused by the storm of 1/9/18, the multiple catastrophic mudflows have blanketed entire areas of the Montecito community under a thick layer of mud up to several feet deep. This layer of mud represents a very serious and mortal threat to our native oaks and other important trees throughout the area. Montecito’s community forest is a fundamental anchor of our local ecosystem and we need help spreading the word and educating the public on the issue.

The threat: 

• The deep mud can literally suffocate the tree roots and kill the tree, as trees “breathe” through their root systems.

• Mud and moisture above the root crown can lead to a fungal invasion under the bark of the tree.

• Potential for historical loss to community ecosystem, plus, dead or dying trees will increase the risk of wildfires spreading in the future.

     Montecito Now is in collaboration with The Montecito Community Foundation, Bucket Brigade, Lotusland, Montecito Association, Santa Barbara Beautiful, & Santa Barbara Association of Realtors to spread the word, to help save the historic trees from their imminent demise.

     There is a great sense of urgency in order to help save the community forest of Montecito and remedy the affected trees on over 400 properties. The vital areas impacted are Glen Oaks Drive, Riven Rock Road, Ashley Road, Randall Road, Meadow Wood Lane, Para Grande Lane, and several others throughout Montecito. Our purpose is to further the semi-rural elements of Montecito and its surrounding network of trails that it has been historical known for.

     We need to reach out to homeowners who have affected trees and let them know of the true urgency at hand, especially residents with second homes, who are unaware of the imminent threat their trees and property are facing. We have to continue to be strong and fight to save the natural elements of our coveted ecosystem, preserving the historical impact it has had on our community.

What You Can Do:

• Spread the word that our trees are at risk to everyone you know.

• If your neighbors are evacuated, or out of town, let them know of the current situation.

• Please sign up to help us dig out the trees! To volunteer, Email:  Subject line “Tree Volunteer” to teafirerelief@gmail.comand we will send you information on how to help!

• Send donations to The Bucket Brigade at: https://www.santabarbarabucketbrigade.org/donate

For more information, please contact:

           Gretchen Lieff
GretchenLieff@gmail.com
(415) 407-0077