Barger Canyon Preserve

This property is not open to the public, but is available for tours upon request. Please contact the Creeks Division at Creeks@SantaBarbaraCA.gov for more information.

The City purchased this preserve along upper Arroyo Burro in 2013, and a large creek restoration project was completed on site in 2016.

The restoration project realigned the lower portion of Arroyo Burro to recreate natural meanders, while removing over 600 tons of concrete and debris from the creek. Eroding creek banks were laid back and stabilized through native revegetation efforts. An upland treatment wetland was created by intercepting a storm drain from neighboring developed properties. Non-native vegetation was also removed and replaced with nearly 5,000 native plants and trees. The project improved native riparian and wildlife habitat on site and improved downstream water quality within the watershed.