Community Creek Stewardship Projects

Through community outreach, the Creeks Division has identified a number of sites along Santa Barbara’s creeks that provide opportunities for small community creek clean-up and restoration projects.  The Creeks Division is currently working with neighbors at four stewardship sites – two on Sycamore Creek (one near Liberty Street and the other at Cacique Street); one project on Mission Creek at Vernon Road; and San Roque Creek at Stevens Park.

Typically, these Community Creek Stewardship projects consist of trash removal, non-native plant removal and planting of native plants and trees. After the initial restoration efforts have been completed, continued maintenance of the site is necessary and consists of watering new plants, weeding invasive non-native plants, mulching, and trash removal.

Sycamore Creek at Cacique Street
The first Community Creek Stewardship project was located on Sycamore Creek at Cacique Street. Through funding from Santa Barbara Beautiful, native plants were purchased and during two community work days in 2004, the sites were cleaned up and planted with native plants. Additional funding from Santa Barbara Beautiful provided more plants for the summer of 2005.

Mission Creek at Vernon Road
Residents and staff agreed that the first Community Creek Stewardship Project along Mission Creek should be an effort to clean-up the creek corridor along Vernon Road.  Non-native vegetation was trimmed and removed.  Overgrown vegetation was cleared and the creek bank was replanted, followed by a neighborhood celebration.

San Roque Creek at Stevens Park
In fall 2006, the Creeks Division, Santa Barbara Botanic Garden, and Santa Barbara Beautiful teamed-up to develop and implement a Community Creek Stewardship Project and native plant demonstration on San Roque Creek at Stevens Park. Over a series of community planting days, more than 75 neighbors, volunteers and students planted over 400 native plants.

View the planting lists for this site:
California Natives List and Creekside Natives List

Sycamore Creek at Liberty Street
To expand Community Creek Stewardship along Sycamore Creek, the Creeks Division sponsored creek clean ups and planting days near Liberty Street in 2004/2005. Volunteers removed trash and exotic weeds and planted a variety of native plants and trees. As part of an after-school program, Franklin students made weekly trips to the creek to water and care for the plants.

If you are interested in volunteering at a Community Creek Stewardship Project, please contact Liz Smith at (805) 897-2606

We welcome your comments and suggestions. Send messages and inquiries to Liz Smith.