UCSB’s South Parcel Declared Open Space

UCSB and the Land Trust for Santa Barbara County announced this week that the South Parcel—a 68-acre swath of coastal university property popular among hikers, bikers, and joggers —has been permanently designated as protected open space. The move is a part of a string of preservation projects along 650 acres of coastline between Isla Vista and Sandpiper Golf Course that include the Sperling Preserve at Ellwood Mesa, the Coronado Butterfly Preserve, and Coal Oil Point Reserve. As the South Parcel will be free from development for years to come, the university will soon move forward with plans to construct 161 housing units on the 26-acre North Parcel, located just north of the open space.