About Us
Formed in 2007, Friends of Mission Canyon (FOMC) is a community-based, tax exempt nonprofit corporation dedicated to the protection of the character of Mission Canyon and the well-being of its residents. Our purposes include preserving the visual integrity and ambience of the Canyon, reducing risks from hazards such as wildfire, and protecting and enhancing natural habitat and cultural resources.
FOMC is currently working in partnership with Mission Canyon Association as a community voice to assist the multiple government agencies in ensuring SCE fully cleans up, restores, mitigates and compensates for their damages to the trail, upslope and creek habitats.
Accomplishments
In 2008, FOMC organized neighbors and community organizations to convince the Board of Supervisors to scale down the unpopular expansion of the Santa Barbara Botanical Garden and its conditional use permit. Today FOMC and the Garden share a positive and mutually supportive relationship.
From 2018-2020, Friends of Mission Canyon (FOMC) led a campaign to remove the power lines from the Tunnel Trail trailhead. Three years of effort culminated with the City Water Department agreeing the power lines were unnecessary, and their removal in December 2020.
In Fall of 2021, flows in upper Mission Creek dropped to historically low levels, endangering the survival of creek wildlife. FOMC worked with City staff and officials with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife to temporarily augment water flowing into the creek and sustain stressed populations of sensitive aquatic and terrestrial species.
Board of Directors
David Lebell – President
Bob Maloy
Judith Rubenstein
Robin Schievink
Stephen Sherrill
Timothy Tillman
Counsel:
Marc Chytilo – Legal Advisor