Engaging community members in the restoration of Ellwood Marine Terminal

CLIENT NEED

The UC Santa Barbara Cheadle Center for Biodiversity and Ecological Restoration (Cheadle Center) is restoring the Ellwood Marine Terminal site for public use. This involves removing the facility’s tanks, pipes, and associated buildings and screening trees to provide 360-degree ocean and mountain views. The restoration vision includes rebuilding the historic high point leveled when tanks were installed in 1929 and restoring various native grasses, wetlands, scrub, woodland, and coastal dune habitats. Strategic Earth is working with the Cheadle Center to support engagement and gather input on public access and use options from the local community, including Chumash leaders and community members.

STRATEGY

Strategic Earth will work with the Cheadle Center to provide community members opportunities to learn about the restoration process, give feedback on public access, and use elements such as access trails, overlooks, and signage and interpretation needs. Strategic Earth will conduct one-on-one conversations with Chumash leaders and key communicators from the Santa Barbara area to learn about community values, needs, and priorities. This information will inform long-term community relationship-building and engagement strategies. After an outreach plan is developed, Strategic Earth will support the Cheadle Center in facilitating public site tours, community meetings, small group discussions, and other engagement activities as needed.

KEY RESULTS AND OUTCOMES

Receive input from the broader Santa Barbara community on the restoration project’s public access and use aspects, emphasizing the identification of Chumash community needs and priorities.