Author: Nancy Keltner

Creek Setbacks in Goleta

The SBAS Conservation and Science Committee has been monitoring several proposed development projects in Goleta, particularly those projects that are in proximity to creeks and other natural resources that are wildlife habitats and migration corridors. We have reviewed environmental impact reports (EIR), sent comment letters to the City of Goleta recommending mitigation strategies, identifying critical habitats and omissions… Read more »

2014 Santa Barbara County Science Fair Winner of the Audubon Award

The 2014 Santa Barbara County Science Fair was held in March, and one of the judges was Richard Figueroa, SBAS Science Chair who had the honor of presenting the Santa Barbara Audubon Award to this year’s winner, Righetti High School senior, Danny Luu. Danny’s project: “The Effects of Runoff on Salvia Leucantha and Hummingbird Interactions” also won a gold medal… Read more »

Tricolored Blackbird California Survey 2014

Richard Figueroa, SBAS Science Chair, has been recruiting and coordinating volunteers to monitor and collect survey data for tricolored blackbirds to document their decline in numbers. Our volunteers have surveyed sites in Santa Ynez and Cuyama. The conservation of the species has received increased attention due to the petition to list the species under the protections of… Read more »

Tree Swallow Monitoring

Jeff Simeon conducted a tree-swallow monitoring training session Saturday, April 5 at Coal Oil Point Reserve for volunteers and interns to learn how to champion this project by scheduling regular monitoring dates, replacing broken nesting boxes, rusty mounting poles and hardware, and cleaning the boxes for the spring nesting season.

White-Tailed Kite Monitoring

In April 2014, white-tailed kite volunteers and interns were treated to several kite-sightings on a field trip to Ellwood, Lake Los Carneros and More Mesa. Two nesting sites were spotted and five pairs of kites.