Goleta has a treasure in the butterflies that migrate to the Ellwood Mesa each winter. But as the visits to the Grove have increased, the impacts to the neighborhood have increased as well.

As part of a community outreach effort, the City has created a new website, www.GoletaButterflyGrove.com to educate the public about this treasure and direct people to the free parking at the Sperling Preserve parking lot off of Hollister. Trail markers will be installed to direct visitors from the parking lot to the Goleta Butterfly Grove (formerly known as the Ellwood Main Monarch Aggregation site). In addition, an interpretive map at the parking lot will provide facts about our monarchs and show a map of the trail from the parking lot to the grove. Finally, additional signage has been placed on Hollister Avenue to direct visitors to use the parking lot and not to park on Coronado Drive.

The butterflies typically appear in Goleta between November and March and are most easily observed on sunny days. Docent tours are available on weekend and tours can be arranged by calling Jessica Haro, docent coordinator, at 961-7510.

Please help everyone enjoy the annual migration of the butterflies by using the parking lot and staying on the designated trails. Tips for your visit to the Grove can be found at www.GoletaButterflyGrove.com