Cheadle Center for Biodiversity and Ecological Restoration

Natural history collections serve as unique and vital records of life on Earth. At the Cheadle Center, the Collections & Biodiversity program investigates Earth's variety of life, encompassing species, ecosystems, and genetic differences, aiming to safeguard this diversity for the future. By integrating multiple disciplines like evolution, ecology, the study of living organisms, genetics, and the science of conserving species and habitats, we work toward understanding biodiversity on our changing planet.

The Cheadle Center at UCSB manages more than 340 acres of open space between Ellwood Mesa and Goleta Slough, carrying out ecological restoration, research, and education projects at these sites. Characterized by a rich complex of oak woodland, coastal sage scrub, grassland, and wetland ecosystems, the area is known for its relatively high level of biodiversity. The Cheadle Center’s project sites and management areas serve to protect and strengthen the region’s ecology and ecosystems through habitat conservation, upland restoration, wetland creation and enhancement, and the implementation of sustainable stormwater management solutions. Through careful integration with local watersheds and surrounding natural areas, The Cheadle Center's management areas provide an important corridor and refuge for wildlife, ensure the long term preservation of the region's natural resources, and serve as outdoor classrooms, research sites, and recreational areas for the campus community and the public. This archived version of the March 2024 newsletter includes updates on the Ellwood Bioblitz, Spring weeding efforts, Wildflowers, Rare Plants, and the Ocean Meadows Housing Project. The feature story focuses on the presetations and research conducted at Cheadle Center management areas. Community photos include Lesser Scaup (Aythya affinis), Red-breasted Merganser (Mergus serrator), Caspian Tern (Hydroprogne caspia), and more!

The Cheadle Center at UCSB manages more than 340 acres of open space between Ellwood Mesa and Goleta Slough, carrying out ecological restoration, research, and education projects at these sites. Characterized by a rich complex of oak woodland, coastal sage scrub, grassland, and wetland ecosystems, the area is known for its relatively high level of biodiversity. The Cheadle Center’s project sites and management areas serve to protect and strengthen the region’s ecology and ecosystems through habitat conservation, upland restoration, wetland creation and enhancement, and the implementation of sustainable stormwater management solutions. Through careful integration with local watersheds and surrounding natural areas, The Cheadle Center's management areas provide an important corridor and refuge for wildlife, ensure the long term preservation of the region's natural resources, and serve as outdoor classrooms, research sites, and recreational areas for the campus community and the public. This archived version of the March 2024 newsletter includes updates on wildlfowers, Ellwood Marine Terminal restoration, and the Ocean Meadows housing project. The feature story focuses on Genetic Diversity and California Poppy (Eschscholzia californica). Community photos include Belted Kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon), Surf Scoter (Melanitta perspicillata), American Bittern (Botaurus lentiginosus), and more!

The Cheadle Center at UCSB manages more than 340 acres of open space between Ellwood Mesa and Goleta Slough, carrying out ecological restoration, research, and education projects at these sites. Characterized by a rich complex of oak woodland, coastal sage scrub, grassland, and wetland ecosystems, the area is known for its relatively high level of biodiversity. The Cheadle Center’s project sites and management areas serve to protect and strengthen the region’s ecology and ecosystems through habitat conservation, upland restoration, wetland creation and enhancement, and the implementation of sustainable stormwater management solutions. Through careful integration with local watersheds and surrounding natural areas, The Cheadle Center's management areas provide an important corridor and refuge for wildlife, ensure the long term preservation of the region's natural resources, and serve as outdoor classrooms, research sites, and recreational areas for the campus community and the public. This archived version of the March 2024 newsletter includes updates on the NCOS Mesa burn area and Ventura Marsh Milk Vetch. The feature story focuses on the Sierra Madre restoration area. Community photos include Bonaparte's Gull (Chroicocephalus philadelphia), American Bittern (Botaurus lentiginosus), Orange-crowned Warbler (Vermivora celata) and more!

The Cheadle Center at UCSB manages more than 340 acres of open space between Ellwood Mesa and Goleta Slough, carrying out ecological restoration, research, and education projects at these sites. Characterized by a rich complex of oak woodland, coastal sage scrub, grassland, and wetland ecosystems, the area is known for its relatively high level of biodiversity. The Cheadle Center’s project sites and management areas serve to protect and strengthen the region’s ecology and ecosystems through habitat conservation, upland restoration, wetland creation and enhancement, and the implementation of sustainable stormwater management solutions. Through careful integration with local watersheds and surrounding natural areas, The Cheadle Center's management areas provide an important corridor and refuge for wildlife, ensure the long term preservation of the region's natural resources, and serve as outdoor classrooms, research sites, and recreational areas for the campus community and the public. This archived version of the November 2023 newsletter includes updates on the Ellwood Marine Terminal restoration, rare plants sign, bulb planting, and Salt Marsh Bird's Beak. The feature story focuses on the Chumash cultural burn on the NCOS Mesa. Community photos include Eastern Kingbird (Tyrannus tyrannus), Sora (Porzana carolina), and Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias). 

The Cheadle Center at UCSB manages more than 340 acres of open space between Ellwood Mesa and Goleta Slough, carrying out ecological restoration, research, and education projects at these sites. Characterized by a rich complex of oak woodland, coastal sage scrub, grassland, and wetland ecosystems, the area is known for its relatively high level of biodiversity. The Cheadle Center’s project sites and management areas serve to protect and strengthen the region’s ecology and ecosystems through habitat conservation, upland restoration, wetland creation and enhancement, and the implementation of sustainable stormwater management solutions. Through careful integration with local watersheds and surrounding natural areas, The Cheadle Center's management areas provide an important corridor and refuge for wildlife, ensure the long term preservation of the region's natural resources, and serve as outdoor classrooms, research sites, and recreational areas for the campus community and the public. The UCSB Restoration Register is a bimonthly newsletter released by the Cheadle Center that provides ecological restoration updates, a feature story, and community photos taken at management areas. This archived version of the July 2023 newsletter includes updates on student volunteer groups and a showing of the film Bringing Back Our Wetland. The feature story focuses on the prescribed burn at the North Campus Open Space. Community photos include Hooded Oriole (Icterus cucullatus), White-faced Ibis (Plegadis chihi), and Long-billed Dowitcher (Limnodromus scolopaceus). 

The Cheadle Center at UCSB manages more than 340 acres of open space between Ellwood Mesa and Goleta Slough, carrying out ecological restoration, research, and education projects at these sites. Characterized by a rich complex of oak woodland, coastal sage scrub, grassland, and wetland ecosystems, the area is known for its relatively high level of biodiversity. The Cheadle Center’s project sites and management areas serve to protect and strengthen the region’s ecology and ecosystems through habitat conservation, upland restoration, wetland creation and enhancement, and the implementation of sustainable stormwater management solutions. Through careful integration with local watersheds and surrounding natural areas, The Cheadle Center's management areas provide an important corridor and refuge for wildlife, ensure the long term preservation of the region's natural resources, and serve as outdoor classrooms, research sites, and recreational areas for the campus community and the public. This archived version of the July 2023 newsletter includes updates on the annual Tidewater Goby survey, Salt Marsh Bird's Beack plantings, and the detection of New Zealand Mudsnails. The feature story focuses on restoring vernal pools on and around the UCSB Campus. Community photos include baby Killdeer (Charadrius vociferus), great horned owl (Bubo virginianus), and Wilson's Phalarope (Phalaropus tricolor). 

The Cheadle Center at UCSB manages the North Campus Open Space (NCOS), which is a project that has restored 136 acres of upland and wetland habitats that existed before the area was converted into the Ocean Meadows Golf Course in the 1960s. The NCOS restoration project began in 2017 with a fine-scale grading of the site in order to recreate the salt marsh and use the excavated soil to rebuild the upland habitats to the southwest, which are now called the NCOS Mesa. In addition to re-establishing native biodiversity, a key goal of the restoration is to utilize the site as an educational, scientific, and recreational resource. This archived version of the September 2018 newsletter includes updates on public events, fish monitoring revealing an abundance of Longjaw Mudsuckers (Gillicthys mirabilis) and Killifish, and pampas grass (Cortaderia selloana) excavation. The feature story highlights the results of ongoing bird surveys. Community photos include Great and Snowy Egrets (Ardea alba and Egretta thula) and the Blue-Eyed Darner (Rhionaeshna multicolor).

The Cheadle Center at UCSB manages the North Campus Open Space (NCOS), which is a project that has restored 136 acres of upland and wetland habitats that existed before the area was converted into the Ocean Meadows Golf Course in the 1960s. The NCOS restoration project began in 2017 with a fine-scale grading of the site in order to recreate the salt marsh and use the excavated soil to rebuild the upland habitats to the southwest, which are now called the NCOS Mesa. In addition to re-establishing native biodiversity, a key goal of the restoration is to utilize the site as an educational, scientific, and recreational resource. This archived version of the June 2018 newsletter includes updates on guided tours and endowment opportunities. The feature story highlights some of the student research taking place at the open space, such as aquatic invertebrate sampling, soil studies, and camera monitoring of habitat features. Community photos include the endangered Belding’s Savannah Sparrow (Passerculus sandwichensis) as well as a Great-Horned Owl (Bubo virginianus), Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura), and Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) caught on motion detecting cameras.

The Cheadle Center at UCSB manages more than 340 acres of open space between Ellwood Mesa and Goleta Slough, carrying out ecological restoration, research, and education projects at these sites. Characterized by a rich complex of oak woodland, coastal sage scrub, grassland, and wetland ecosystems, the area is known for its relatively high level of biodiversity. The Cheadle Center’s project sites and management areas serve to protect and strengthen the region’s ecology and ecosystems through habitat conservation, upland restoration, wetland creation and enhancement, and the implementation of sustainable stormwater management solutions. Through careful integration with local watersheds and surrounding natural areas, The Cheadle Center's management areas provide an important corridor and refuge for wildlife, ensure the long term preservation of the region's natural resources, and serve as outdoor classrooms, research sites, and recreational areas for the campus community and the public. The UCSB Restoration Register is a bimonthly newsletter released by the Cheadle Center that provides ecological restoration updates, a feature story, and community photos taken at management areas. This archived version of the May 2023 newsletter includes updates on a screening of the documentary Bringing Back Our Wetland and water level and salinity fluctuations in Devereux Slough. The feature story focuses on controlled burning and wildflower seeding on Lagoon Island to convert nonnative grassland to native coastal sage scrub. Community photos include red fox (Vulpes vulpes), reddish egret (Egretta rufescens), cattle egret (Bubulcus ibis), ash-throated flycatcher (Myiarchus cinerascens), desert cottontail (Sylvilagus audubonii), and great horned owl (Bubo virginianus).