Montecito Trails Foundation Annual Meeting

On Thursday, January 31, the Montecito Trails Foundation held its annual meeting at the San Ysidro Ranch’s Hydrangea Room; the first event held in the historic meeting room since it was inundated with four feet of mud during the 1/9 debris flow last January. “It’s nice that we are able to keep moving forward following the debris flow,” said outgoing president Kevin Snow, who will remain on the board. “Access to local trails and pathways enriches all of our lives,” he said. 

New officers were elected for the coming year. They include Ashlee Mayfield as president, Paddy McMahon as vice president, Kyle Slattery as treasurer, and Sheila Snow as secretary. Other board members include Kristiana Almeida, Monty Amyx, James Aviani, Barbara Cleveland, Tony Morris, Jane Murray, Michael Stein, and Hans Van Koppen. Board members Dick Drosendahl and Ben Wiener announced their retirement. 

The Foundation raised $400,000 in 2018 to repair the trails following the 1/9 debris flow, 95% of which was spent on trail maintenance and repair. The Foundation’s membership grew over 60%. 

The storms over the weekend damaged the West Fork of Cold Spring Trail, as well as flooded the Ennisbrook open space and dramatically changed the Edison roads, according to new board president Ashlee Mayfield. MTF will repair the trails damaged by this winter’s storms, as well as continue to repair and rehabilitate the trails damaged in the 1/9 debris flow. With the help of the Santa Barbara Bucket Brigade, MTF will also help restore Hot Springs Creek Trail, removing abandoned pipelines and other debris left behind from the old Hot Springs Resort. The Montecito Creek Water Company has received approval from state and federal regulatory agencies to restore riparian habitat and cleanup man-made debris from Hot Springs Creek near the ruins of the Resort, and restoration work will include removal of non-native invasive vegetation, removal of abandoned pipelines and other debris, and installation of over 2,000 locally sourced native plant materials. “We are excited to roll-up our sleeves to help improve the habitat quality and restore the natural beauty of this historic and sacred site,” Mayfield said. 

For more information, visit www.montecitotrailsfoundation.info.