For Ellwood. For everyone.
Ellwood Friends supports the stewardship, conservation and celebration of Ellwood Mesa. We foster a sense of community among those who cherish this coastal gem, and we work alongside our government and non-profit partners to care for Ellwood Mesa.
Volunteers needed!
COMMUNITY TREE PLANTING DAY
Help welcome the monarchs back to Ellwood Mesa!
We’re calling on community volunteers to plant trees and native plants that will provide food and shelter for overwintering monarch butterflies.
Join the City of Goleta and SB Bucket Brigade for this fun community planting day.
When: Saturday August 30
Time: 9 AM - 1 PM
Parking: Park at Sperling Preserve at 7729 Hollister Ave, across from Ellwood Elementary. Then walk to the main grove.
Who: All ages welcome! No experience necessary.
Monthly opportunities will follow, and volunteers are encouraged to participate in as many days as they’d like.
Complete all five days and earn a limited-edition Ellwood Mesa T-shirt!
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.
Volunteer Days (Saturdays):
August 30 from 9 AM - 1 PM
September 27 from 9 AM - 1 PM
October 25 from 9 AM - 1 PM
November 15 from 9 AM - 1 PM
December 6 from 9 AM - 1 PM
Join Ellwood Friends and Scot Pipkin from the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden for an inspiring walk through Ellwood Mesa to explore the beauty, resilience, and ecological benefits of native plants.
Learn how the same species that thrive in our coastal open spaces can also bring life to your own garden—supporting pollinators, conserving water, and strengthening local ecosystems.
Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just getting started, this walk will offer practical ideas for incorporating native plants into your landscape while deepening your connection to this special place. Free!
Date: Wed Sept 24
Time: 5-6:30 PM
Location: 7686 Hollister Ave
From Bluffs to Backyards:
Native Plant Walk at Ellwood
Help save the Monarchs!
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Ellwood Anniversary Painting for Sale
Own the stunning landscape painting created live by Kevin Gleason during the Ellwood 20th Anniversary celebration. Half the proceeds will be donated to Ellwood Friends to support ongoing conservation efforts. Purchase or inquire at Kevin's website. Cost: $2,250.
Small actions make a big difference.
Join us in writing the next chapter of Ellwood Mesa’s story. Become docent, volunteer at service day or let us know how you’d like to get involved. Your support today will shape Ellwood’s future.
Connect.
Give a little to make a big impact.
With your help, we can ensure that Ellwood Mesa thrives as a community-supported landscape — for today and for future generations.