Elings Park is the largest community-supported nonprofit park in the US, and SBF is thrilled to support access to and stewardship of this very special outdoor space.
In 2023, we partnered with Your Children’s Trees (YCT), a volunteer urban forestry nonprofit serving Santa Barbara County. SBF’s CEPT grant program provided $25,000 to help YCT, with support from Channel Islands Restoration, construct a growing ground to germinate and nurture 1,000 native oaks and endangered trees for planting throughout Elings Park.
Once they are big and strong enough, the trees will be transplanted to nearby permanent locations within the park to provide shade along trails and strengthen the soil. Growing the trees near their permanent locations minimizes transplant shock and optimizes the trees’ chance to flourish.
One species in this project is the endangered Torrey Pine. Native to San Diego County, Torrey Pines face extinction if the climate in their habitat changes as expected. Elings Park will be home to a second grove in California to ensure the species’ survival.
In 2022, a CEPT grant partnership between SBF and the Elings Park Foundation made possible a family-friendly trail that connects Las Positas Road to the heart of the park.
To volunteer with YCT at Elings Park, please call (805) 252-1952.
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