In this E-Letter:
HTO Featured in the Montecito Journal's GIVING LIST
Saving the San Marcos Foothills
What are those awful streamers and balloons in Summerland trees?
How to Report Homeless Encampment Pollution
Rhapsody in Blue - Get Your New Sticker Here!
Thank You, Giving List & Montecito Journal!
Thursday, March 18, 2021 - Pick Up a Copy!
Heal the Ocean was an inaugural player in Montecito Journal’s “The Giving List,” when approached by its creators, who said they were assembling it to “provide a portal through which donors can access some of the most powerful stories about Santa Barbara’s most prominent nonprofits.” Thank you, for this distinction, Montecito Journal…and thank you for the feature (by Steven Libowitz) in your pages today (Thursday, March 18, 2020). Have a read here!
Huge Citizen Drive to Save San Marcos Foothills
Which do you prefer - a Nature Preserve or Housing Development?
Do you remember how glorious it was when a group of Carpinteria citizens, Oak Group artists, and Santa Barbara environmentalists succeeded in their mammoth drive to save the Carpinteria Bluffs from developers? How happy we were that they succeeded in keeping this pristine land open for all of us to walk and explore and be in nature!
As you read this, the same thing is happening for the San Marcos Foothills, for which the citizen-led group, Foothills Forever Fund, is raising $20 million through the Santa Barbara Foundation to buy the 101-acre West Mesa of the foothills, to add it to the existing 200-acre Foothills Preserve. This privately-owned piece of property has been sold to developers for a planned housing project – scary! However, through negotiations by Santa Barbara attorney Mark Chytilo, the developers have agreed to sell the land if the group can come up with $20 million by June 2021.
Foothills Forever has raised $1 million and must gather another $4 million by March 25, 2021 – one week from now, and the entire amount must be raised in 90 days. Donate online or make checks payable to: Santa Barbara Foundation with Foothills Forever Fund in the memo line. Mail to: 1111 Chapala St. #200, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Summerland Trees with Balloons & Mylar?
Heal the Ocean has received emails and phone calls from concerned citizens about the streamers/balloons in the eucalyptus trees along southbound Highway 101 at the Summerland exit. We reached out to the Summerland Citizens Association and were put in contact with Kirsten Ayars of Ayars & Associates, who explained that the materials in the trees are to discourage the double-crested cormorants from nesting in those trees during the construction of the Highway 101 expansion. Biologists will be on-site monitoring the implementation of the Bird Deterrent and Protection Plan, which is designed to encourage the birds to find temporary, more suitable nesting areas outside of the construction zone. The project is being managed by biologists and arborists whose plans were approved in the environmental impact report and natural environment study for the project, and also reviewed and approved by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.
For more information, please reach out to Kirsten Ayars: kayars@cox.net / 805.845.5112
Reporting Pollution From Homeless Camps
Heal the Ocean has been working with Santa Barbara County fire departments as well as some of the humanitarian groups grappling with the issue of homelessness in Santa Barbara County. Our concern is safety for the public as well as for those without shelter. Our office receives calls about trash and human waste in various places around the City, and we’ve learned from Cameron Benson, Creeks Division Manager of the City of Santa Barbara, the Creeks Division has a response team that acts within 24 hours of receiving calls.
If you notice pollution near storm drains, creeks, or watersheds within the City of Santa Barbara, take photos of the pollution, note your location, and report it to the Water Quality Enforcement Hotline through the Creeks Division: (805) 897-2688. You can also report pollution online.
Rhapsody in Blue…
St. Patty’s Day Still Life in Blue by Anne Doubilet
While everyone was celebrating St. Patrick’s Day in green garb, Hillary Hauser’s old friend and dive buddy Anne Doubilet was at her wonderful home in NYC having her Irish Whiskey to celebrate, while setting up a vision in blue – a scene of blue clear water on her computer, a blue glass fish, and topping it off with a Heal the Ocean blue bumper sticker. These are new bumper stickers, inspired by our intrepid graphic designer Debbie Bellman, who thought we need ocean water in our background. We sent them out to our fans – but if you didn’t get one, and want to have one, please e-mail Alison@healtheocean.org and she will put one to you in the mail right away!
Happy Day After St. Patrick’s Day to Everybody!