Vegetation Cleared from Douglas Preserve

Since Thanksgiving, the City of Santa Barbara has been clearing two acres of the 70-acre Douglas Preserve of non-native plants and dead trees that pose a safety risk, said assistant Parks and Recreation director Jill Zachary, who added the work should finish by next week. Only an interior area of the park is being cleared, Zachary said, explaining that that section has oak trees that will thrive better without the invasive species; she added that the clearing will open up the area and make it less friendly to partying and overnight camping, which have drawn neighbor complaints. The city is paying for the removal with endowment funding received earlier this year.