SBCC Stadium Slope Restoration
In 2006 the beach-side slope of the Santa Barbara City College was eroding rapidly. The steep slope was bare dirt and weeds except for a few Torrey Pines planted by Jerry Sortomme (founder of the Environmental Horticulture Dept). Nick Giese, a student in the Ecological Restoration class, saw the potential in planting the slope with natives and was able to secure a grant from the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians. SBCC administrative staff supported the idea and kicked in a matching grant. Growing Solutions provided the plants. Don and I planned the access trail, planting and irrigation installation. Over the course of two years, each semester's students would plant a round of plants, do a little weeding a section at a time. In the photos you'll see the start, some of the progress photos and the latest monitoring photo this semesters class took. —Karen Flagg
