Projects Funded: 8
Total Amount Distributed: $79,613.00
Project: Meet Your Wild Neighbor
Total Amount Distributed: $2,755.00
This project exists to inspire life-long passions for the environment in young children. The project consists of 5-session programs that give the children an opportunity to learn of 8 seabird/shorebird families and their habitats. MYWN incorporates live bird visits, colorful science curriculum, and field trips. UCSB student interns have the opportunity to take part in the great education of wildlife.
For additional information please visit http://www.santabarbaraaudubon.org/index.html
Project: Student Engagement in Critical Coastal Issues
Amount Funded: $4,500.00
EDC provides advice and legal counsel to non-profit organizations and governmental bodies regarding preservation of coastal and ocean resources, open spaces and wildlife in the region. Two UCSB students are hired each quarter as research interns regarding coastal environmental issues and to engage fellow students in the decision-making processes.
For additional information please visit http://www.edcnet.org/
Project: Open-Space Preservation and Education Project (OPEN) Research and Policy Development Project
Amount Funded: $12,000.00
OPEN assures protection of open space resources in Santa Barbara County through engaging diverse sectors of the community, particularly environmetalists and land owners, in discussions about the shared goals of protection and agriculture and rural land. This project supports intern research, development and presentations for other UCSB students, the community and the Gaviota Planning Advisory Committee regarding effective policy options to protect Gaviota’s watersheds and biological diversity.
For more information, please visit http://www.edcnet.org/
Project: Coastal Wild Heritage
Amount Funded: $6,800.00
The Coastal Wild Heritage Project is a new effort to permanently preserve more than 20,000 acres in the Santa Ynez Mountains above UCSB, of which is part of the Los Padres National Forest. This project seeks to add the lands to the National Wilderness Preservation System, so that the upper watersheds of coastal creeks that directly impact the UCSB shoreline and surrounding areas will be permanently protected.
For more information, please visit http://www.lpfw.org/
Project: Reef Check California
Amount Funded: $5,975.00
At UCSB, the RCCA’s project trains students in monitoring protocols for key rocky reef indicator species. Students then participate in RCCA’s bi-annual surveys along the Santa Barbara coast and Channel Islands. The students’ data are being used by the MLPA Initiative to inform the siting of marine protected areas in southern California, by the California Department of Fish and Game, and leading marine scientists (including UCSB researchers).
For more information, please visit http://www.reefcheck.org/
Project: Restoring Coastal Dunes to Learn the Effects of Invasive Iceplant on Insects and other Anthropods
Amount Funded: $6,040.00
The biodiversity and ecological functioning of rare coastal dunes at Coal Oil Point Reserve are threatened by invasive iceplant. Local volunteers and an undergraduate intern will participate in the effort promoting ecological appreciation and providing career experience. This comprehensive study will repair habitat while improving restoration techniques and increasing ecological understanding.
Project: Sea Otter and Coastal Water Quality Protection and Education Program
Amount Funded:$9,543.00
An imperiled species, the California sea otter population continues to struggle due to myriad factors, including poor water quality and a growing human population along our coasts. This project aims to help protect the struggling sea otter population in California by promoting better water quality in near shore waters and involving the public in recovery.
For more information, please visit http://www.defenders.org/
Project: West Campus Bluffs Trail Restoration
Amount Funded: $32,000.00
The goal of this project is to re-plant all areas along the disturbed areas of the West Campus Bluffs trail that aren’t replaced with new DG when the trail is rebuilt. The goal is to meet Coastal Commission requirements to reduce erosion, establish native plants on disturbed areas along trail verge and from past trail impacts along bluff. CCBER will collect regionally appropriate seeds, grow plants, install temporary irrigation and oversee student interns, workers and volunteer groups.
For more information, please visit http://ccber.lifesci.ucsb.edu/