The Summerland Citizens Association (SCA) has held the lease for the Summerland Greenwell Preserve with the County of Santa Barbara for nearly three decades, stewarding this important open space for the community.

The Summerland Greenwell Preserve (SGP) restoration project marked a renewed, coordinated effort to actively manage and protect the preserve. All professional work associated with this restoration—including planning, fieldwork, botany, landscape architecture, and implementation—was fully funded by the Summerland Community Foundation (SCF). Work included removal of dead and down material to reduce fire risk, trimming ladder fuels (limbs below 6 feet) to help prevent ground fires from reaching tree canopies, and selective thinning to reduce continuous fuel loads and slow fire spread. Trails were also reopened, with blocked access cleared and trees lifted to restore safe passage.

Professional consulting and reports were provided by the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden and funded by SCF.

The restoration effort brought together volunteers from the SCA, Montecito Trails Foundation, Los Padres Forest Association, SCF, and Mesa Tree. Food and beverage support for this coordinated workday was generously provided by the Natalie Orfalea Foundation and Lou Buglioli.

Civil engineering and water diversion planning are being addressed separately through SCF-funded professional services.