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A Natural Treasure is Restored and Protected
The Carpinteria Salt Marsh is one of the largest and most ecologically important coastal estuaries in the California, and in February 2008 the Land Trust for Santa Barbara County completed an extensive restoration project begun in the fall of 2004 Directions to the Carpinteria Salt Marsh The project was officially completed in February 2008 and a new pedestrian bridge connecting the Carpinteria Salt Marsh Nature Park and the Land Trust public trail and habitat restoration area was celebrated with a ribbon-cutting ceremony in March 2008. Come experience the marsh, a special place (and a haven for birdwatchers) for the public to enjoy. |
to provide better wildlife habitat, opportunities for scientific research, and ways for the people to visit and learn about the coastal environment. Restoration Project
The Land Trust designed its Basin 1 and South Marsh Restoration Project to provide lasting environmental and community benefits. Working with the Santa Barbara County Flood Control District and the University of California Natural Reserve System, the Land Trust project:
• Restored historic tidal circulation channels to provide expanded breeding habitat for a variety of fish and invertebrates such as the California oyster.
• Reduced the build-up of silt and algae in tidal channels.
• Created new submerged cobble beds in for shellfish colonization.
• Removed non-native and invasive vegetation such as ice plant, castor bean and mustard that crowd out beneficial natives.
•Planted over 18,000 native wetland and upland plants, vastly improving the appearance and habitat quality for birds, including the endangered Belding's savannah sparrow.
• Expanded the range of two rare wetland plants, the salt marsh bird's beak and salt marsh goldfields.
• Provided managed public access via a new pedestrian only bridge cross Franklin Creek from the City Nature Park to a 1,200 foot interpretive path on the north of Basin I.
Restoration Funding Partners
Work was funded in part by more than $100,000 in community donations while the following agencies provided over $1,950,000 in grants to the Land Trust for ecological restoration of Basin 1 and South Marsh in 2003-2006.
• State Coastal Conservancy
• U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
• County of Santa Barbara
• National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration