Storke Wetland, historically the southwestern extension of Goleta Slough, has been cut off by berms, drainage ditches and tide gates. At an elevation of just 0.5 to 3.2 ft above mean sea level (MSL), the wetlands could still be contiguous with the Slough if the tide gates were opened. The 1981 Long Range Development Plan (LRDP) recognized the value of these palustrine salt marsh wetlands and by the 1991 LRDP these areas were formally designated as Ecologically Sensitive Habitat Areas (ESHA) and open space. Raptors hunt and waterfowl take refuge in these brackish waters. Restoration activities have focused on planting oaks in the upland areas and topographic alterations to create more permanently flooded or tidally inundated wetlands.
Before Restoration
2007. Fill removed from West
Storke wetland with funding from
the Wetland Recovery Project.
After Restoration
Native wetland vegetation reestablished
under better hydrologic
regime