Goals
The goal of this project is to create long-lasting ongoing creek preservation efforts in Old Town Goleta through a neighborhood based organizing model. We hope to create a coalition of local organizations with a history of working with Old Town Goleta and its residents which will be shape this effort.
Old Town Goleta is ranked in the top percentiles on California’s CalEnviroScreen 4.0 tool, for issues ranging from water pollution and pesticide runoff to impaired groundwater. Within the City of Goleta there are 9 regions. In regions 1-8, the pollution burden scores are 30 or less where a median score is 25-74. Old Town is the only region in Goleta with a composite score representing a high burden at 77.
Outcomes/Metrics
Metrics that will be tracked include:
- Pounds of trash picked up in the creeks
- Number of native plants restored along creek beds
- Number of volunteers and total volunteer hours
- Number of events and event attendance
Local non-profits will track and monitor the results of water quality in the creeks which we will reference to understand our impact. The hope is to build a self-sustaining community coalition that can preserve the creek long-term. For this, the number of and diversity of community partners represented on the Old Town Goleta Creeks Coalition will be tracked. Our goal is for each organization represented in the coalition to host or co-host one event per year. Coalition members will also ensure the rotation of leadership roles, such as Meeting Facilitator, Notetaker, and Chair.
About
The Old Town Goleta Creek Justice Project is a community-based initiative dedicated to restoring and protecting the San Jose, Old San Jose, and San Pedro Creeks. These waterways flow through Old Town Goleta into Goleta Beach Park and the Pacific Ocean. The project seeks to establish a lasting coalition composed of local organizations, businesses, and residents that are united by a shared commitment to creek care and the Old Town community.
The Creek Justice project aims to build upon existing efforts in creek restoration and transform periodic creek-related volunteer events into a consistent, collaborative effort that supports environmental and community well-being. The pilot year will be led by a UCSB student intern, who will serve as the primary coordinator and connection between the university and Old Town Goleta community. By partnering with various Goleta-based organizations, the intern will have the necessary guidance and mentorship needed to facilitate this project. These partners will also provide the support needed to conduct events such as creek clean-ups, and educational workshops. Through these initiatives, the Creek Justice Project will strengthen environmental justice, empower local leadership, and cultivate student and community pride in Goleta waterways.
Partners
Funders
- This project is currently being fundraised for.
Project Leads
- Talyah Simmons
Ways to Get Involved
- Apply for the internship position (We hope to post an internship position under "UCSB Sustainability" on UCSB Handshake in December 2025.)
- Volunteer at one of our events, and keep an eye out on our website for events in 2026.