Because Some Places Change Us Forever
The City is releasing its short film Ellwood Mesa: Beyond the Bluffs. We are incredibly fortunate to have more than 200 acres of open space along the coast right here in our backyard.
This is the powerful story behind how this land was saved from development, preserved as open space, and is being stewarded for future generations to enjoy. It also addresses the declining monarch butterfly population at the Ellwood Mesa Butterfly Grove.
You are encouraged to not only watch this film yourself but share the link with others: https://youtu.be/0Y0SgUBHC00.
The 23-minute-long film premiered on November 16, 2025, at Camino Real Cinemas in Goleta at the first Wild and Free Film Festival. Because the theatre reached capacity during the festival’s short film block and everyone who turned out was not able to see it, the City held an additional free screening last week on January 7, 2026, again at Camino Real Cinemas.
Once again, the theatre was packed but thankfully there was enough room for everyone who came. Both screenings were followed by a Q and A panel.
City of Goleta Community Relations Manager Kelly Hoover said, “We appreciate everyone who showed up to see this inspiring film on the big screen and now we are pleased to make it available for all to enjoy! Prepare to be uplifted.”
The film was created as part of the Ellwood Mesa’s 20-year anniversary of when the land was saved from development and officially turned over to the City of Goleta to be preserved as open space.
The City was pleased to partner with Paradigm Pictures and Ellwood Friends to put together this short film. We recognize that there are so many more historical details, stories and people not included that are a part of Ellwood Mesa’s incredible story. For a more detailed account of Ellwood Mesa’s history and stories go to ellwoodfriends.org/stories.
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The Eucalyptus is a non native, introduced, Australian, and extremely flammable plant. The Elwood bluffs are great, but let’s get rid of the Euc’s around here folks. The Monarch worshippers will get over it. Those butterflies have been migrating through here thousands of years before white folks came in and introduced the Euc’s.
My only suggestion is to change or remove that short segment of stock footage of a butterfly at minute 1434 to 1438. That is NOT a monarch but a Common Tiger from India and Southeast Asia (D. genutia).
Don Davis
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
(Monarch Butterfly Fund – monarchconservation.org)
Fun to watch the film and see faces I haven’t seen in years. (Actually got to see myself in a couple of the still shots.) Yes. I donated time and $100 back then, going to many meetings and rallies. Thank you to everyone who worked so hard. Thank you to the Sperlings for swooping in at the last minute and making sure the asking price for Ellwood was met. I hope the Monarchs do return. One thing each and everyone of us can do to help butterflies is to stop using pesticides/herbicides. Keep your home and yards pesticide-free.