Monthly Volunteer Opportunities through December
Help welcome back the monarchs to Ellwood Mesa! Community members are invited to come plant trees and native plants that will provide food and shelter for overwintering monarch butterflies. The first Saturday volunteer day of the season just happened on August 30; more opportunities are taking place each month through December. You are encouraged to participate in as many days as you would like. Complete all five days and earn a limited-edition Ellwood Mesa T-shirt!
Mark your calendars for upcoming Saturday Volunteer Days from 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.:
- September 27
- October 25
- November 15
- December 6
A big thank you to the 84 volunteers who came out to the first volunteer day of the fall and planted 41 new trees! Participants rolled up their sleeves to dig, plant, drive in support poles, and give each tree a good first watering. Many different local organizations were represented, including Brownie Troop #55548, the Goleta Rotary Club, Ellwood Elementary, Althouse and Meade, Laguna Blanca, and UCSB. From here, the trees will be lovingly cared for by UC Santa Barbara’s Cheadle Center and the City of Goleta’s team to help them thrive.
These volunteer events are part of a larger conservation effort to restore monarch habitat at Ellwood Mesa—one of the most important overwintering sites for Western monarchs. With butterfly populations declining due to drought and extreme weather, this project will plant hundreds of trees and thousands of native plants to create the shelter monarchs need to survive. Your help makes it possible.
How to Get Involved: Bring a friend and help plant a tree that will provide shade for monarchs and people alike for generations. Volunteers will meet at the Main Grove on Saturdays at 9:00 a.m. Park at the Sperling Preserve (across from Ellwood Elementary) and allow 10-15 minutes to walk to the Main Grove (meeting location may change so stay tuned for updates by email).
What to Bring: Comfortable shoes, a water bottle, sunscreen, snacks, and gloves (if you have them). Tools will be provided.
About Ellwood Mesa: Ellwood Mesa has been facing challenges such as drought and storms, which have damaged the trees that monarchs depend on for shelter. This nationally-significant restoration project will contribute to a healthier habitat for both monarchs and the community. For additional details, visit the project page: www.cityofgoleta.org/ellwood-now.
Contact: For more information contact George Thomson, Parks and Open Space Manager, at gthomson@cityofgoleta.gov or 805.961.7578.
Pictured above: a family volunteering together
Goleta Rotary Club at tree planting event
Volunteers getting ready to plant trees
