Completed Projects

Project: Gaviota Coast GIS Mapping

Partner: Environmental Defense Center
Intern: Mimi Soo-Hoo

Mimi Soo-Hoo is pursuing graduate studies at the Bren School of Environmental Science and Management. During her internship, Mimi digitalized existing maps of the Gaviota Coast and synthesized a new multi-layered map using GIS systems to indicate the unique geographical and environmentally sensitive features of this coastline.

Finished Maps:

Green Footprint within Tri-County Area

Santa Barbara

San Luis Obispo

Ventura

Overview

This project required updating and redesigning maps that illustrate the spatial range of valued landscapes in the tri-county area, including wetlands, historic sites, and marine reserves. These maps will be instrumental for future litigation pertaining to development and allocation of resources around. The Environmental Defense Center will also provide the maps as visual aids for patrons and partners during events to demonstrate the unique and fragile habitat of the Gaviota coast and encourage its protection.

Methods
The project demanded elementary skills in GIS, including digitizing points, creating personal databases for multiple layer management, and basic knowledge of cartographic principles.

Project Timeline
The project required ten weeks to complete, from project conception, client negotiations, and data collection, through project completion. Weeks one through two were spent discussing project details, determining which goals were feasible within the given timeframe, and finding a common ground on the project’s deliverables. Weeks three through five were spent acquiring necessary layers and data for the project, provided by the EDC and through sourcing free GIS layers from online resources such as Cal-Atlas. Weeks six through ten consisted of synthesizing layers, digitizing points, and map design for each of the four completed maps. Near the end of the project’s progress, the EDC offered valuable feedback to further improve the final end products before the project’s deadline.


 

Project: Greek Park Redevelopment

Partner: Isla Vista Recreation and Parks District (webpage was taken down)

Intern: Aaron Hemeon

Aaron Hemeon is pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree at the UC Santa Barbara. During his internship, Aaron compilied a new park plan, landscape design, and budget to redevelop the space to better support the needs of the community. The  environmentally conscious plans and new budget for this project are a product of market research, community engagement, and planning.

Overview

The Greek Park is located on the corner of Embarcadero del Norte and Segovia, in Isla Vista. The park is a popular space for Greek events, sport tournaments, and fundraising. However, the current site is in dire need of retrofitting and redevelopment. In response to requests from local residents, the Coastal Stewardship and Policy Program has partnered with Isla Vista Recreation and Parks District to reinvent the space. This renovation will address the needs of the residents and reflect the neighborhood’s full character.

Greek Park Plan:

Approved by the Isla Vista Parks and Recreation District Board on July 14th, 2011.

 

Timeline: September-January

All fundraising efforts should be completed by October.  After sufficient funding is attained, the district general manager will hire contractors to resurface the basketball court, re-grade the land, and add pavement. The construction would begin in October and end in late December. The county has demonstrated interest in assisting with the installation of a new sidewalk on the Segovia side of the park. The District Redevelopment Agency has agreed to make the project a priority and fully fund restoring the Sagovia sidewalk. Landscaping and the installation of the “green” fence and shade structures should be completed by early December.  The additions of picnic tables, bike racks, and BBQ pits will take place after hard construction is complete, likely within a few days.

Preliminary Budget

Fundraising events are planned for the second week of Fall Quarter 2011. The raised money will be used to install new courts and regrade some of the land. In an effort to build stakeholder ship in our community, the project coordinator will engage the local small businesses, campus organizations, fraternities, sororities, and developers who own and manage property in the area. In addition to raising funds, these will function as spaces for the community to become more familiar with the project details and improve relations with the district and the campus community.

The current Isla Vista Recreation and Parks Board of Directors is very sensitive to using student and public funds. Consequently, any requests for student funds will be tailored to the organization’s mission statement and will not be used for any purpose other than what is will be specified in the submitted proposals. For example, CCBER has assisted us with creating a low maintenance populated with native, drought-resistant species. The CSPP project coordinator, program director, and district manager are available to answer to questions and address concerns and comments.

Item

Unit Cost

Quantity

Total Cost

       
Athletic fields      

Basketball Court Prop. A

   

42,800

Basketball Court Prop. B

   

30,450

       
Furnishings      

Shade Sails

$13 SF

850 SF

14,050

 Benches

$500

six

3,000

New Picnic tables

$800

four

3,200

New trash receptacles

$470

four

1,880

Bike Rack

$70 a slot

16

1,120

Charcoal Grill

$450

two

900

Green Fence

   

1,390

       
Landscape      

Xeroscaping

     
     

991

       
  Option 1 Total Cost

69,331