October 3, 2013

TO THE CAMPUS COMMUNITY

Dear Colleagues:

In April of 2013, The Trust for Public Land (TPL) acquired 64 acres of the Ocean Meadows Golf Course. In turn, TPL offered to donate that land to UCSB with the condition "…that the property be preserved and managed for public access, passive recreation, open space preservation, coastal wetland and wildlife habitat for endangered species, and associated research and educational activities." On April 30, 2013, UCSB closed escrow on the land donation.

This donation of land represents a wonderful opportunity for our campus to expand our research and education activities. It also allows us to connect the various parcels of our North Campus property surrounding the former golf course. We are now referring to this new parcel as the North Campus Open Space. This donation also provides us with the opportunity to integrate our planned restoration areas with the Devereux Slough as a larger, contiguous open space.

It is time to begin the planning process for the long-term disposition of this open space. In keeping with TPL's conditions of donation, we must now make important decisions about how to best restore the site in a manner that will accommodate public access while maximizing our ability to conduct important research and educational activities. Thus I am pleased to announce the formation of our North Campus Open Space Science Advisory Board, chaired by Professor John Melack.

I have asked the North Campus Open Space Science Advisory Board to provide me with specific recommendations regarding the following:

  • Identification of research goals for the property
  • Evaluation of restoration scope options -- identify the highest and best use of the property
  • Suggested alignment of granting agency goals with university goals
  • Identification of public service opportunities provided by this property

I extend my sincere thanks to Chair Melack and to all of our advisory board members, listed below, for their willingness to devote their time and expertise to help our campus with this important undertaking.

Sincerely,

Henry T. Yang
Chancellor

 

North Campus Open Space Science Advisory Board

John Melack, Chair; Professor, Bren School of Environmental Science & Management and
Ecology, Evolution & Marine Biology

Derek Booth, Adjunct Professor, Bren School of Environmental Science & Management
Carla D'Antonio, Chair and Schuyler Professor of Environmental Studies; Professor, Ecology, Evolution & Marine Biology
Frank Davis, Professor, Bren School of Environmental Science & Management; Director, National Center for Ecological Analysis & Synthesis
Joshua Schimel, Acting Chair of Environmental Studies; Professor, Ecology, Evolution & Marine Biology
Alexander Simms, Associate Professor, Earth Science
 

Ex officio:
Marc Fisher, Senior Associate Vice Chancellor, Administrative Services
Chuck Haines, Director, Capital Development, Office of Budget & Planning
John Longbrake, Associate Vice Chancellor, Public Affairs & Communications
Lisa Stratton, Director, Ecosystem Management, Cheadle Center for Biodiversity & Ecological Restoration