Goleta, CA
Home MenuEllwood Now - Work in Progress
Where are the Butterflies?
Monarchs are usually seen in Ellwood from October through February. We count them every other week beginning October 1. This season we haven't seen large numbers of monarchs in Ellwood. Learn about the monarchs' migration and follow our counts at Goleta Butterfly Grove.
Work in Progress
The City and our partners are working hard to enhance Ellwood's habitat for monarchs and other wildlife, protect the forest and neighbors from wildfire, improve public safety and access, and engage the community in ongoing stewardship. Learn more about the project at Ellwood Mesa and Monarch Butterfly Habitat.
Trees and Native Plants
Onsite plant nurseries, staging areas and irrigation systems have been installed to support the planting and care of thousands of young trees and native plants. The work is being lead by our restoration partners with the help of hundreds of students and community volunteers. See Major Replanting Effort to Begin at Butterfly Grove.
Wildfire Risk Reduction
We are removing dead trees and fire-prone vegetation to reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfire in the Goleta Butterfly Grove and the surrounding community. The schedule of active work below will be updated weekly to show active and upcoming work areas by zone as defined in the map.
Trails and Erosion Control
Sage Trail Alliance rerouted trails to the viewing area to increase accessibility, reduce erosion, and avoid impacts to specific trees. Enhancements to the drainage habitat, including rock weirs and stepped pools, will increase humidity, provide a water source for monarchs, and support riparian vegetation. Details can be found on the project page Monarch Butterfly Habitat Plan Phase 1 Implementation.
Monarch Research
The City of Goleta installed three data tracking stations at Ellwood. The Motus Wildlife Tracking System is part of an international collaborative research network that uses radio telemetry to track migratory animals, including monarch Butterflies. Two weather stations monitor conditions inside and outside the monarch butterfly grove. See photos and more information in the City's March 2025 Monarch Press.
- View data: Motus Wildlife Tracking System | Weather Station.
To further our understanding of how monarchs move throughout Ellwood and where they go when they leave, Scientists from Althouse & Meade, in coordination with the City of Goleta, the US Fish and Wildlife Service and Ellwood Friends, are deploying ultra-light tracking tags on monarchs, offering an unprecedented look at how these iconic butterflies move, migrate, and survive. These tags are picked up by the Motus station and by Ellwood visitors' phones (like an airtag!). To learn more, read Groundbreaking Monarch Research Along Central Coast or watch this short video.
Opportunities to Get Involved
Tree Planting and Tree Care
Volunteers are needed to plant trees and native plants that will provide food and shelter for overwintering monarch butterflies.
- Saturday February 7, 9am-1pm
- Saturday March 14 , 9am-1pm
- Saturday April 18, 9am-1pm
Sign up with the Santa Barbara Bucket Brigade.
Neighborhood Fire Preparation
The Santa Barbara County Fire Safe Council along with the Santa Barbara County Fire Department offer free home hardening assessments and recommendations to help reduce your fire risk. Residents can sign up for a home evaluation or download a Home Hardening Guide. If you are interested in helping your neighborhood organize to become a FireWise USA® Community, contact Kate Furlong at the Santa Barbara Fire Safe Council.
Schedule of Active Work
Schedule may change due to weather, availability of work crews, protection of sensitive species and other unforeseen events. If you have questions or concerns, contact the Parks and Open Space Division, 805-562-5509 or ellwoodmesa@cityofgoleta.org.
Fuel Reduction Zone Map and Treatment Methods
(click image to enlarge)
About the Zone Map
The Zones labeled on the map identify what type of fuel reduction treatment methods are needed based on the City’s Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP), and what modifications to those treatment methods are necessary to ensure protection of sensitive resources, including monarch butterfly aggregation sites. Note the numbered zones are adjacent to homes and the lettered zones are further within the grove.
Fuel Reduction Treatment Methods
Standard treatment in areas within 100 feet of structures includes:
- Mow grasses
- Clear flammable materials from the ground
- Reduce brush/scrub height to 2 feet
- Trim and thin unhealthy trees
- Reduce fuel ladders by pruning lower branches 6 feet up, or lower 1/3 of tree height on smaller trees
Aggregation area treatment within 100 feet of monarch butterfly aggregation sites includes:
- Mow grasses
- Clear flammable materials from the ground
- Reduce brush/scrub height to 3 feet
- Trim and thin unhealthy trees
- Reduce fuel ladders and intermittent patches of shrubs and small trees in openings
Modifications to these treatments are based on site specific conditions and are summarized for each zone below. For greater detail of the grids within the zones closest to the neighborhoods, download the 2024 04 Revised Treatment Zone Maps and Table.
Both Modified and Unmodified Aggregation treatments retain the trees that provide wind protection to the aggregation sites. Vegetation removal is focused on dead and downed trees and vegetation zero to six feet in height.
Definitions (from the 2024 04 Revised Treatment Zone Maps and Table): Unhealthy trees are generally non-native trees with 75% or more crown necrosis. Saplings/small trees are non-native trees only (primarily eucalyptus) which are approximately 6” diameter at breast height (DBH) or less of at least 1 trunk.