Andree Clark Bird Refuge
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Andree Clark Bird Refuge, a 42-acre saltwater marsh is one of the largest wildlife refuges in Santa Barbara County, California.[1] This site also consists of a 29-acre freshwater/brackish lake, which drains into East Beach.
The refuge is surrounded by the Santa Barbara Zoological Gardens, Highway 101, and East Cabrillo Boulevard.
[edit] History
Originally, water from Sycamore Creek drained into the lake. However, in the 1880s the construction of a railroad through the area blocked off the inflow of water. In the 1870s and early 1880s Bradley's Race Track surrounded the pond[2]
In the 1920s, Santa Barbara restored the site for the purpose of providing a refuge for wild birds that are migrating through or permanently residing in the area[3].
In 1928 Huguette M. Clark, owner of the Clark Estate across from the salt pond, agreed to donate $50,000 to excavate the pond and create an artificial freshwater lake. Mrs. Clark stipulated that the facility would be named Andree Clark Bird Refuge after her deceased sister[4][2]. Both Clark sisters were daughters of "Copper King" William Andrews Clark. The Clarks donated more money in 1930 to complete the work modeled after Ralph Stevens' plans.
[edit] External links
[edit] References
- ^ Andree Clark Bird Refuge, Santa Barbara
- ^ a b [Days, M.L. (1977). Histories of individual parks Santa Barbara California. Santa Barbara, CA: City Planning Committee.]
- ^ www.searchsb.com Coming Soon!
- ^ untitled
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