Agenda Item A.4
CONSENT CALENDAR
Meeting Date: October 6, 2026
TO: Mayor and Councilmembers
SUBMITTED BY: Peter Imhof, Planning & Environmental Review Director PREPARED BY: Dana Murray, Sustainability Manager
Angeline Foshay, Sustainability Analyst
SUBJECT: Resolution Supporting Biodiversity Conservation RECOMMENDATION:
Adopt Resolution No. 26 -___, entitled "A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Goleta, California, Supporting Biodiversity Conservation and Climate Resilience on California's South Central Coast”
BACKGROUND:
California has identified biodiversity protection as a key priority through statewide initiatives, such as Executive Order N-82-20, which establishes a goal to conserve 30 percent of lands and coastal waters by 2030 (“30x30”). These initiatives recognize biodiversity as essential to climate resilience, ecosystem function, and community wellbeing.
The City of Goleta is located within the California Floristic Province, a globally recognized area of significance for biodiversity. The region supports diverse terrestrial and marine ecosystems, including coastal sage scrub, wetlands, oak woodlands, and kelp forests that provide critical ecological functions and support numerous native and sensitive species.
These ecosystems also provide direct benefits to the community, including greenhouse gas reductions, climate resilience, wildfire risk reduction, water quality protection, and recreational opportunities. These natural systems face increasing pressure from climate change, habitat fragmentation, invasive species, and development - underscoring the importance of coordinated local conservation and restoration efforts.
The Santa Barbara Botanic Garden chairs a regional Biodiversity Working Group, composed of 55 organizations from Ventura, Santa Barbara, and San Luis Obispo Counties. The group has developed a shared Community Vision and Policy Platform for Biodiversity on the Central Coast and is building regional support for enhanced biodiversity and native plants. As part of this effort, the Biodiversity Working Group has 1 Meeting Date: October 6, 2026
asked multiple jurisdictions in the region to pass resolutions in support for biodiversity protection and restoration.
Local jurisdictions including the County of Santa Barbara, City of Santa Barbara, and the City of Carpinteria passed biodiversity resolutions at their City Councils in April and May 2026. While the City of Goleta did acknowledge the importance of biodiversity through an Earth Month Proclamation in April 2026, the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden and partnering organizations have requested that the City consider adopting a resolution focused on biodiversity.
On August 19, 2026, the City Coun cil’s Energy & Green Issues Committee discussed staff preparation of a Biodiversity Resolution. The Committee expressed support for such a Resolution and interest in tangible actions the City could take following adoption and recommended that staff to bring forward a Resolution to the City Council for adoption.
DISCUSSION:
The proposed Resolution for the City of Goleta is similar to other local jurisdictions’ resolutions, affirming the City’s commitment to protecting and restoring biodiversity and aligning local efforts with state and regional conservation goals. It would establish policy direction and support voluntary, partnership -based approaches and would not impose new regulatory requirements.
The Resolution has been drafted to:
Recognize the ecological significance of the South Central Coast region; Support the conservation and restoration of native habitats and green infrastructure;
Commit to integration of biodiversity considerations into City planning and development practices;
Promote partnerships with tribal governments, conservation organizations, educational institutions, and public agencies; and
Encourage identifying funding opportunities and potential actions to advance local biodiversity goals.
Biodiversity protection complements the City’s climate mitigation and adaptation strategies by supporting carbon sequestration, improving ecosystem resilience, and reducing climate-related risks. The Resolution also aligns with the City’s broader efforts to support environmental and community vitality, including habitat restoration, improved urban forestry, creek and watershed restoration, and coastal resource protection.
GOLETA STRATEGIC PLAN:
City-Wide Initiative:
1. Support Environmental Vitality
2. Support Community Vitality and Enhanced Recreational Opportunities 2 Meeting Date: October 6, 2026
Strategic Goal:
1.2 Adopt best practices in sustainability
2.2 Support programs that enhance quality of life in the Goleta community such as recreation, public safety, human services, and cultural arts FISCAL IMPACTS:
Adoption of the Resolution does not require additional funding. Any future implementation activities requiring additional City resources would be b rought forward for City Council consideration through the budget process or a separate agenda item, as appropriate.
ALTERNATIVES:
The City Council may elect not to approve the Resolution and provide staff with alternative direction.
LEGAL REVIEW BY: Isaac Rosen, City Attorney
APPROVED BY: Jaime A. Valdez, Assistant City Manager
ATTACHMENT:
1. Resolution No . 26-___, entitled "A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Goleta, California, Supporting Biodiversity Conservation and Climate Resilience on California's South Central Coast”
3 ATTACHMENT 1
Resolution No. 26-___, entitled "A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Goleta, California, Supporting Biodiversity Conservation and Climate Resilience on California's South Central Coast”
4 RESOLUTION NO. 26- _
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GOLETA,
CALIFORNIA, SUPPORTING BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION AND
CLIMATE RESILIENCE ON CALIFORNIA’S SOUTH CENTRAL COAST
WHEREAS the State of California has identified the protection and restoration of biodiversity as a critical priority through major initiatives such as the California Biodiversity Initiative (2018) and Executive Order N-82-20, which commits the state to conserving 30 percent of its lands and coastal waters by 2030 (“30x30”), and recognizes biodiversity as essential to climate resilience, food security, and human well-being; and WHEREAS California’s Natural and Working Lands Climate Smart Strategy recognizes biodiversity conservation and habitat restoration as essential com ponents of the state’s climate mitigation and adaptation goals, encouraging local governments to integrate nature-based solutions into land-use planning and community resilience efforts; and
WHEREAS local efforts to preserve native species, restore degraded ecosystems, protect pollinator habitats, and expand green infrastructure directly support California’s State Wildlife Action Plan, the Pathways to 30x30 strategy, and regional conservation frameworks such as the California Floristic Province Hotspot, of which the South Central Coast of California is a core part; and
WHEREAS local efforts to preserve native species, restore degraded ecosystems, protect pollinator habitats, and expand green infrastructure within City of Goleta and regionally are already par t of some local planning efforts, including the City’s Ellwood Mesa Monarch Butterfly Habitat Management Plan, the Goleta General Plan /Coastal Land Use Plan including the City’s Conservation Element, the Gaviota Coast Plan, local climate action plans, and others; and
WHEREAS California’s Central Coast region , including City of Goleta , sits at a critical biogeographic boundary where northern and southern ecosystems overlap, creating a unique and ecologically rich environment with exceptional levels of specie s diversity; and
WHEREAS the region’s diverse terrestrial ecosystems—including oak woodlands, coastal sage scrub, chaparral, serpentine outcrops, and riparian corridors and wetlands— are home to numerous rare, threatened, and endemic plant species such as narrowleaf milkweed, coyote ceanothus, and California wild rose as well as hundreds of native wildlife species; and
5 WHEREAS the marine and coastal environments off our shores —including kelp forests, rocky intertidal zones, upwelling zones, and offshore areas such as the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary and the Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary—support vital biodiversity, including endangered species such as the southern sea otter, leatherback sea turtle, and migratory whale populations; and WHEREAS Goleta is situated on the coastal terrace and adjacent foothills of the Santa Ynez Mountains in the middle of a narrow ecological transition that extends from the top of the Santa Ynez Mountains to the intertidal zone of the Pacific Ocean ; and the habitats and wildlife resources within Goleta reflect those typically found within the coastal plains of Southern California; and
WHEREAS Goleta’s biodiverse habitats include western monarch butterfly aggregations and overwintering habitat, raptor nests, coastal estuaries, vernal pools and other wetlands, riparian corridors, and other habitats and associated wildlife; and WHEREAS relatively undisturbed native habitats are present along narrow riparian corridors, in scattered undeveloped lands of varying s izes, and in protected open space areas such as Ellwood Mesa Open Space and Lake Los Carneros; and WHEREAS the following habitats occur within Goleta and are considered to be environmentally sensitive habitat areas (ESHAs): marine resources, beach and shoreline resources, coastal dunes, coastal bluff scrub, foredune, oak woodlands/savannah, dense stands of native grasslands, all wetlands such as vernal pools, riparian habitats, butterfly roosts, raptor roosts and nests, and habitats that support special-status plant and wildlife species, including western snowy plover habitat; and
WHEREAS these ecosystems are not only ecologically valuable but also essential to our local communities’ health, cultural heritage, climate resilience, and economy — providing clean air and water, protection from erosion and wildfire, and opportunities for outdoor recreation, fishing, and education; and
WHEREAS the continued health of these biodiversity -rich systems is threatened by habitat fragmentation, invasive species, pollution, climate change, and unsustainable development, underscoring the need for urgent, coordinated action at the local level;
6 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GOLETA, AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. Action
The Goleta City Council hereby:
1. Recognizes the ecological significance of California’s South Central Coast as a global biodiversity hotspot and affirms its commitment to protecting the region’s native flora, fauna, and marine ecosystems;
2. Supports the expansion and stewardship o f local protected areas, greenbelts, habitat corridors, and marine protected areas—including voluntary conservation easements, native habitat restoration projects, and urban biodiversity initiatives;
3. Commits to integrating biodiversity considerations into city planning, zoning, and development decisions, including the use of native plant landscaping, wildlife - friendly design, and nature-based solutions to climate resilience;
4. Encourages partnerships with Chumash community members, state and federal agencies, conservation organizations, land trusts, marine sanctuaries, K -12 and higher educational institutions, and scientists to advance habitat restoration, community-led science, and biodiversity education in our communities;
5. Encourages identification of funding sources (including grants, state/federal programs, and private partnerships) and recommendations for advancing local biodiversity goals in alignment with local, state, and regional conservation plans.
SECTION 2. Effective Date
This Resolution becomes effective upon adoption.
SECTION 3. Certification
The City Clerk shall certify to the passage and adoption of this resolution and enter it into the book of original resolutions.
7 SECTION 4. Records
The documents and materials associated with this Res olution that constitute the record of proceedings on which the City Council’s findings and determinations are based are located at 130 Cremona Drive, Suite B, Goleta CA 93117.
PASSED, APPROVED, AND ADOPTED this 6th day of October 2026.
____________________________
PAULA PEROTTE
MAYOR
ATTEST: APPROVED AS TO FORM:
_________________________ ___________________________ DEBORAH S. LOPEZ ISAAC ROSEN
CITY CLERK CITY ATTORNEY
8 STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF SANTA BARBARA ) ss.
CITY OF GOLETA )
I, DEBORAH S. LOPEZ, City Clerk of the City of Goleta, California, DO HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing Resolution No. 26-__ was duly adopted by the City Council of the City of Goleta at a regular meeting held on the 6th day of October, 2026 by the following vote of the Council:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTENTIONS:
(SEAL)
__________________________
DEBORAH S. LOPEZ
CITY CLERK
9