This page is a community effort to gather and share the stories of Ellwood. It’s a work in progress, and we’d love your help in shaping it—whether through memories, photos, or reflections.
Join us in telling the story of this special place.
Many thanks to contributors: Cynthia Brock, Linda Krop, and Teresa Romero.
We respectfully acknowledge that Ellwood Mesa is located on the traditional and unceded lands of the Chumash people, whose connection to these lands spans thousands of years. Archaeological evidence indicates that their ancestors have inhabited this region for at least 13,000 years, establishing some of the earliest societies in California along the central and southern coasts, including the area now known as Goleta.
Over millennia, the Chumash developed a rich culture that continues to thrive today, deeply connected to the land and sea. They built—and continue to build—vibrant communities sustained by the region’s abundant natural resources, excelling in fishing, hunting, gathering, and craftsmanship. Their legacy lives on in intricate basketry, rock art, tools, and the construction of plank canoes, or tomols, which reflect a sophisticated understanding of the natural world. Villages have traditionally been guided by respected elders and community leaders. The Chumash have long held, and still hold, ceremonies to honor their deities and the environment.
The arrival of European explorers and settlers in the 16th and 18th centuries—and the subsequent establishment of the California missions—brought dramatic disruption to the Chumash way of life. The imposition of the mission system disrupted traditional practices, resulting in significant challenges including disease, overwork, and loss of access to ancestral lands and resources. Despite these hardships, the Chumash have persisted, adapting and preserving many aspects of their language, culture, and traditions. Today, they continue to nurture their heritage and maintain a deep, ongoing connection to Ellwood Mesa.
We honor the Chumash people—past, present, and future—and recognize the profound cultural and spiritual significance they attribute to this land. We invite you to join us in acknowledging the Chumash, their Elders (both past and present), and future generations, as we collectively recognize their enduring contributions and continued stewardship.
This acknowledgment is offered in recognition of the enduring contributions of the Chumash people and as a commitment to respecting their historical and ongoing relationship with these lands.
Land Acknowledgement
Map of Known Chumash Villages
1960’s
The Santa Barbara Shores Home Owner’s Association successfully opposes private uses on the Ellwood Mesa — a proposal for a rezone to allow “highway serving commercial” which would allow a large shopping center and a plan for an oil processing facility.
Early 1990s
Santa Barbara County approved a development plan of 161 units on 40 acres of Ellwood Mesa. However, the Environmental Defense Center, on behalf of Save Ellwood Shores (SES), filed a lawsuit challenging the project.
John Buse, an attorney with EDC at the time, was the first to formally propose a land swap, though several others are believed to have arrived at the idea independently.
Save Ellwood Shores then strongly advocated for this idea, urging that the land swap be considered to preserve the ecological integrity of the mesa. The community recognized the ecological value of the mesa, which comprises native grasslands, vernal pools, raptor sites, and habitat for threatened and endangered species, including monarch butterflies. However, various county agencies claimed this was not possible.
1997-1998
1997 - The lawsuit was settled with minor changes - it moved the footprint away from 6 acres of native grasses on the East part of the site and 75 feet closer to the monarch grove, changing access from Phelps extension to Santa Barbara Shores drive. The settlement requires SES, EDC, and the League of Coastal Protection to support the development and allows the development to move forward through the County’s Planning Process.
Santa Barbara Shores Home Owner’s Association (SBSHA) and the SB Urban Creeks Council (UCC) team up to oppose the new development plan, along with some members of Save Ellwood Shores (SES) Board who resigned after the settlement.
June 1997 - Monarch Point Reserve (MPR) hearing was held at the County Planning Commission. There was great turnout to oppose the project, but the planning commission approves the project.
August 1997 - MPR hearing at SB County Board of Supervisors. The plan was approved and those opposing the development were discouraged.
Santa Barbara Shores Home Owners Association and Urban Creeks Council receive an anonymous donation to hire an attorney to appeal the County’s decision to the California Coastal Commission. Date?
January 1998 - First California Coastal Commission hearing in San Luis Obispo. The Commission asks for design changes and continues the matter.
April 1998 - Second California Coastal Commission hearing in Long Beach. The Commission turns down the plan as presented. A major issue that has arisen is the environmental damage that would be cause by the extension of Santa Barbara Shores Drive through the grove, across the creek. The Commission instructs the County to study 4 access routes and come back with a plan to use the least environmentally damaging one: SBS extension, Phelps extension, Venoco Road, and SBS Park.
1998-1999
While the County is working on this analysis of access routes, developer R. Fox applies for a permit for massive soil remediation project. SBSHA opposes and the County denied the permit.
2000
April 2000 - Friends of the Ellwood Coast incorporated to work with the Trust for Public Lands, a national land conservation organization, on acquisition of Ellwood Mesa.
Together they spearheaded a fundraising campaign that involved securing funds from individual donors, foundations, and government agencies at the local, state, and federal levels.
2001
Early 2001 - County Park Commission rejects intensive active use, commercially funded plan for SBS Park because of environmental sensitivity of site. SBSHA and UCC opposed. Instead they adopt a minimally developed plan with only a couple of playing fields.
A pivotal turning point occurred with the arrival of a new developer, Bob Comstock, who took over the development option from the previous developer. In a departure from previous approaches, Comstock sought community input and met with Linda Krop from the EDC to explore alternative development plans. Krop reintroduced the concept of a land swap, suggesting that housing be moved north of Devereux Creek to Santa Barbara Shores Park. Concurrently, the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB), also planning development on the eastern end of the mesa, agreed to relocate its proposed housing away from the bluffs. This convergence of interests led to the conceptualization of the Ellwood Devereux Coast Open Space plan, encompassing 652 acres of contiguous protected land.
2002
The City of Goleta incorporated.
January 29, 2003
TPL and FOTEC secured a challenge grant of $500,000 from the Goleta Valley Land Trust that kick-started the community fundraising campaign in January 2003.
This initial grant was instrumental in mobilizing local support. Later that year, GVLT doubled its commitment by pledging an additional $500,000, bringing its total contribution to $1 million.
May-June 2003
May 2023 - The Wendy P. McCaw Foundation pledged $1 million towards the project.
June 2023 - A crucial contribution came from Peter and Stephanie Sperling, who pledged $5 million, recognizing the community's dedication to preserving the mesa. In recognition of their generosity, the preserved area was named the Sperling Preserve.
December 2003
Santa Barbara County awarded the project a $368,000 grant from the Coastal Resource Enhancement Fund, later supplemented by an additional $400,000 from the California Coastal Conservancy, which supplemented their initial contribution.
Representative Lois Capps secured $792,000 from NOAA.
December 2004
The City of Goleta, newly incorporated in 2002, took a leading role in the final stages of the project. In June, the City Council approved the Ellwood-Devereux Coast Open Space Management Plan, paving the way for the land swap. To see the full plan, click the links below.
Ellwood-Devereux Coast Open Space Management Plan - Sections 1-3
Ellwood-Devereux Coast Open Space Management Plan - Sections 4-6
July 19, 2004
The Coastal Commission approved the plan for the land swap.
Ownership of the Ellwood Mesa property was officially transferred to the City of Goleta.
February 4, 2005
The escrow was closed and the City of Goleta assumed ownership of the Ellwood Mesa property, officially establishing it as a public preserve for the community and future generations.
March 4, 2005
A public celebration marked the culmination of the decades-long effort to save Ellwood Mesa. The newly preserved land was officially renamed The Sperling Preserve in honor of the Sperling family’s generous contribution.
The success in preserving Ellwood Mesa exemplifies a collaborative achievement involving environmental organizations, developers, government agencies at all levels, and philanthropic individuals. Their shared commitment to conservation resulted in the permanent protection of a valuable natural area for the benefit of current and future generations.
Thank you!
Many individuals and organizations dedicated their time, energy, and resources to help save Ellwood - we are so grateful! Here is the known list of those whose generous contributions have made a lasting impact on our community.
Leaders from Public Agencies
U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein
U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer
Congresswoman Lois Capps
Assembly member Hannah Beth Jackson
County Supervisor Gail Marshall
Senator Jack O’Connell’s Office
City of Goleta Founding Councilmembers
Jean Blois
Cynthia Brock
Margaret Connell
Jack Hawxhurst
Jonny Wallis
Campaign to Save Ellwood Mesa Committee Members
Edward Bear
Tad Buchanan
Chris Corpuz
Larry Crandell
Carla Frisk
Debra Geiler
Eric H
Hannah Beth Jackson
Kim Kimbell
Peter MacDougall
Suzanne Moss
Tom Parker
DeAnn Sarver
Jean Schuyler
Derek Western
Friends of the Ellwood Coast Board of Directors
Kevin Barthel
Marian Cohen
John DiBenedetto
Michael Fealy
Maria Gordon
Chris Lange
Colleen Million
Susan Sharkey
Craig Wakamiya
Government and Public Agencies
California Resources Agency - Coastal Resources Grant to Santa Barbara County
California State Coastal Conservancy
California Wildlife Conservation Board
Caltrans - Environmental Enhancement and Mitigation Programs
City of Goleta
County of Santa Barbara - Coastal Resource Enhancement Fund
NOAA - Coastal & Estuarine Land Conservation Program
Organizations & Partners
Campaign to Save Ellwood Mesa
Ellwood Mesa Campaign Committee
Environmental Defense Center
Friends of the Ellwood Coast
Goleta Valley Land Trust
Santa Barbara Development Partnership
Santa Barbara Shores Homeowners Association
Save Ellwood Shores
Trust for Public Land
UC Santa Barbara
Supporters
Pauline Abbe, in memory of Justice Richard Abby
Peter and Rebecca Adams
Andrew H. Burnett Foundation
Kurt R. and Marion Anker
Anonymous
Anonymous - in Memory of Jeff Arthur
Kathi Backus
Tom Barker
Kevin, Cindy and Tripper Barthel
Edward Bear and Friends
Michael and Harriett Bender
Bengal Engineering
Leslie and Philip Bernstein
Keith C. Berry
Amy Ramos, Thomas Mates, and Bruno Birddog
Robert and Kenlyn Blecker
John, Beverly, Steve and Cheryl Bobstock
Patrick Merna and Susan Brodie
Susan and Lawrence Brown
Kay Bruce
Tad and Donna Buchanan
Brooke Bulkley
Nancy Bull
Kathy Slotter and Elliot Burke, in Honor of our Children
Don and Sue Burrows
Otis Calef
Kaye Komenda and Marc Cantu
Laura Capps
Daniel Casey
Sarah Casperson
Reid, Robin and Colter Cederlof
Jeanne Chase
Sam and Darlene Chirman
CHK Supply, Inc.
Jeffrey Zukin and Linda Chu
Pierre Claeyssens
Carnzu A. Clark
Charles and Patricia Cleek
Stephen, Marian, Rachel and Ari Cohen
Robert Comstock
Comstock Development
Joseph and Margaret Connell
Chris Corpuz
Sally and Curt Coughlin
Larry Crandell
Robert and Michelle Crane
Matthea Cremers
Jeff, Kim and Tate Danhauer
Nancy Deacon-Davis and Don Davis
Barbara DeWolfe
Charlene Marie and John DiBenedetto
Matt Dobberteen
Jim and Marguerite Downing
Robert and Christine Emmons
David and Gisele Erlach
Marit Evans in Memory of Edward S. Evans
Michael Fealy
Mike and Terry Fealy, in Honor of Liam Ellwood Fealy
Mike and Terry Fealy, in memory of Patricia Cathering Fealy
Mike and Terry Fealy, in memory of Pete Weston, UK
Wayne Ferrin
Vasanti and Joel Fithian
James Frank
Pamela Frickman from her dad
Friends of the Ellwood Coast, in honor of Cynthia Brock
Carla Frisk
William Traux Frost
Georgia Furguson, in Memory of Estes and Margaret Drake
Debra Geiler
Ellen Gerardis
Lew and Genevive Geyser
Mike and Sally Ghizzoni
John, Julie, Anna, Kelly and Ian Gilmore
Ghita Ginberg, in memory of Paul Ginberg
Daniel, Victoria, and Isabel Gira
In Honor of Dan Gira
Goleta Lions Club
Goleta Valley Cycling Club
Maria Gordon
Jess and Lola N. Guerra
Elisabeth and Carl Gwinn
Andra Habley
Mark and Sally Hamilton
Joan Hardie, in memory of my dog Omi
Ellie and Tom Harriman
Karl and Jeanne Harris
Joan Hartman
Steve and Natasha Heifetz Campbell
Mary Hewitt
Jim and Sue Higman
Roger and Robin Himovitz
Reed Holderman, Executive Director
Judith Hopkinson
Evelyn Hu
Harold and Wanda Hulsebusch
Hutton Foundation
Eric Hvolbøll
Isla Vista Bikes
Island Seed and Feed
In Memory of Steve Issaris
IV Food Cooperative
Richard and Jana Julian
Jean Kaplan
Ralph and Oralee Kiewit
Elizabeth Kilb
Kim Kimbell
Kim Kimbell
Allen and Cynthia King
Petar and Anna Kokotovic
Joan Kreiss, in honor of Dora Kreiss
Allen Kroeker Productions, Inc.
Linda Krop
Chris Lange
James and Elinor Langer
Eric Little
Jane Lodas
Los Padres Trail Riders
Julia Louis-Dreyfus
Dwight and Kimberly Lowell
Karen A. Luckett
Michael and Sheila Lunsford
Nancy Lynch, in Memory of Jolin "Ron" Crozier
Nancy Lynch, in Memory of Stephen K. Lynch
Peter MacDougall
Sally Macintyre
John Magnuson
Charles Markham
Edwin and Emily Martin
Wendy P. McCaw Foundation
Sara Miller McCune
Carrie Belle McFie
Jennifer and Jim McIntosh
Tim and Cindy McMahon
John and Debra McRoberts
Susan Carlton Mellichamp
Stephen and Sharon Metsch
Wanda Michaelanko, in Honor of Urban Creeks and Wetlands
Lawrence and Shirley Miller
Patricia Miller
Colleen Million and the Kindergarten Class of 2002-2003
Russel and Terry Misch, in honor of Tripper, Lucy, Loki, and Yukon
In Memory of Doris Berg Mithun
Tom Modugno
Jan Montgomery
Harvey, Sam, and Harry Morales
Chris and Cindy Star Morgenstern
Suzanne Moss
Arthur and Barbara Najera
Joan O'Conner
Liam O'Gallagher
Valerie and Donley Olson
Outhwaite Foundation
Outrider Foundation, Inc.
Jack and Sheri Overall
Tom Parker
Laura Gadsby and Dave Parkinson
Dave Parkinson, in honor of Edwin Parkinson
Owen E. Patmor
Helen Pedotti
Marcia Pepper
Marcia Pepper, in Memory of Lowell Pepper
Jordan Perzik
Bruno and Martha Pilorz
John Evans and Marjorie Popper, in memory of Margaret and William Popper
R. Rex Parris Law Firm
The Raintree Foundation
Dr. Daniel Read
Robert Rheem
Evelyn Robbins
Marsha, Al, and Ryan Roberson
James and Patricia Robertson
Roehrig Family Foundation
Catherine Rose
Supervisor Susan Rose and Allan Ghitterman
Murray and Beth Ruben
R. R. Dana Trout and Susan Rudnicki
Arthur N. Rupe Foundation
Gerry Winant and Ann Sanders
Santa Barbara Audubon Society
Santa Barbara Bank and Trust
Santa Barbara Foundation
Santa Barbara Shores Homeowners Association
Santa Barbara Urban Creeks Council
DeAnne, Luke and Harvey Sarver
June Schuerch
Elliot Schulman
Fred Schultz
Jean and Barry Schuyler
Jean Schuyler
John and Susan Sharkey
Susan Sharkey
Ruth and James Shobe
Alesha Silva
Ted and Kelly Simmons
Small Wilderness Area Preserves, Inc.
Robert and Tomi Sollen
Peter and Stephanie Sperling
Judy and Jack Stapelmann
Jean Steinhardt
John Sullivan
Surfrider Foundation, Santa Barbara Chapter
Alex Sutaruk
Kim and Hugh Sutherland
James and Leslie Talt
Jon Terrell
The Territory Ahead
The Dehlsen Foundation
The Dolottoa Family Foundation
The Kim Family, in Memory of Margaret "Maggie" Kim
The Klingbeil Family Foundation
The Looker Foundation
Peter Tiersma
Tres Chicas Foundation
Kenneth and Shirley Tucker
Mark Sandstrom and Katri Tuori
Jack Engle and Carol Vandenberg
Craig Wakamiya
Yoo Ichi and Eileen Wakamiya
W. Eugene and Deborah Waller
The Warner-Arnett Family
Brad Weals, in Memory of Helen Anna Weals
Anne Wells
Adrian & Hilda Wenner
Derek Western
Dr. Eric Westheimer, in Memory of Maude Westheimer
Kristin Kirby Whelan
Bob and Fadumo Wignot
Charlotte and Ronald Williams
Mike Glick and Ann Wisehart
Mike and Diane Wondolowski
Barbara and William Wood Family
The Wood-Claysens Foundation
George and Judy Writer
Alexandra Wydzga, Inc., in Honor of Rob Moss
ZZYZX Foundation
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