Upcoming Vegetation Management Project at Douglas Family Preserve

By the City of Santa Barbara

The City of Santa Barbara Fire Department and Parks and Recreation Department continue their ongoing collaboration to reduce wildfire risk in Santa Barbara’s open space parks.

Crews will conduct a vegetation management project in Douglas Family Preserve on Wednesday, February 1, and Thursday, February 2, to reduce fuel loads and remove invasive plant species. Efforts will focus on removing Acacia pycnantha, commonly known as golden wattle, which is competing with the park’s native vegetation, particularly coast live oak trees.

The project timing will allow for onsite chipping of the acacia and spreading of resulting mulch, as the target species is not currently in seed.

Chainsaws, hand tools, and a chipper will be used to conduct this work. While the park will remain open, the public is asked to use caution and leash dogs around crews. Signage has been posted at all entrances to remind park users of this request.

This is the first of many planned projects at Douglas Family Preserve, as the Parks and Recreation Department is in the process of updating the park’s management plan.