Then and Now
See the power of volunteer efforts over time. The best time to plant a tree is twenty years ago. The next best time is today. View our volunteer events and register to volunteer.
Celebrating the new City of Goleta
February 2, 2002 – Mayor Margaret O’Connell and the newly elected Goleta City Council celebrate the first act of the new city by planted a new Coast Live Oak tree at the Goleta Community Center
July 17, 2026 – 24 years later, mature Coast Live Oak adds shade to the Old Town business district 5679 Hollister Ave, Goleta, CA 93117
Arbor Week Trees
March 7, 2008 – Mayor Michael Bennett, Supervisor Janet Wolf, and members of the Goleta Valley Beautiful Board of Directors, plant the 2008 Arbor Week tree on the grounds of the Goleta Community Center 5679 Hollister Ave, Goleta, CA 93117
March 7, 2008 – The plaque at the base of the tree commemorates the planting of a clone of the original Witness Tree from the 1700s
July 17, 2026 – 18 years later, the Western Sycamore clone ensures that the genetic traits of the Witness Tree will be preserved
Honor Trees
June 5, 2002 – County Supervisor Susan Rose with county staff stand by the Brisbane Box Honor Tree
June 5, 2002 – Plaque honoring Susan Rose planted along Cathedral Oaks Road across from Dos Pueblos High School. One of 200 Honor Trees planted throughout the Goleta Valley
July 10, 2026 – 24 years later, surrounding vegetation has grown around the trees planted north of the bike trail
Goleta Union School District
Brandon Elementary School
March 2003 Arbor Day Tree Planting with Brandon Elementary
July 28, 2026 – One of 77 trees planted on the Brandon campus since 2002
July 28, 2026 – 23 years later, mature Australian Willow provides shade to Brandon students
Kellogg Elementary
October 27, 2006 – Kellogg students planted tree by the bike racks
October 27, 2006 – One of 67 trees planted by GVB/YCT since 2002
July 28, 2026 – 20 years later, mature Sweet Bay Laurel provides shade to Kellogg students
Isla Vista Elementary
January 13, 2007 – Isla Vista and UCSB students plant Australian Willow and Brisbane Box trees in en courtyard
January 13, 2007 – five of the 65 trees planted by GVB/YCT since 2002
July 28, 2026 – 19 years later, shade trees dotting the Isla Vista Elementary promotion area
Hollister Elementary
March 12, 2002 – Hollister Kindergarten plant an Australian Willow for Arbor Day 2002
February 20, 2026 – 24 years later, one of 57 trees planted by GVB/YCT provide shade to Hollister Elementary students
La Patera
March 24, 2007 – No trees in the La Patera Elementary lunch area
March 24, 2007 – La Patera Elementary student and parent plant Australian Willow at lunch area
July 28, 2026 – 19 years later, several of the 66 trees planted by GVB/YCT since 2002 provide shade to La Patera campus
Foothill Elementary
March 3, 2007 – Arbor Week Tree Planting at Foothill Elementary
March 3, 2007 – The late principal Ed Armstrong with students planting Chinese Flame Tree
July 28, 2026 – 19 years later, one of 41 trees planted by GVB/YCT shading Foothill Elementary campus
Ellwood Elementary
April 25, 2005 – No trees on the Western end of the Ellwood campus
April 25, 2005 – Ellwood students and parents planting 3 Chinese Flame Trees
July 28, 2026 – 21 years later, several of the 71 trees planted by GVB/YCT shading Ellwood Elementary campus
El Camino Elementary
April 21, 2007 – No trees on the big field of El Camino Elementary
April 21, 2007 – El Camino students and parents planting a Chinese Flame Tree
July 28, 2026 – 19 years later, some of the 37 trees planted by GVB/YCT shading El Camino Elementary campus
Mountain View Elementary
October 6, 2007 – Mountain View students planting Chinese Flame Trees behind the baseball backstop
July 28, 2026 – 19 years later, some of the 27 trees planted by GVB/YCT shading Mountain View Elementary campus
Santa Barbara Unified School District
Dos Pueblos High School
September 17, 2001 – Westside of Dos Pueblos High School along Alameda Dr.
Seven Jacarandas planted on September 17, 2001 among the 200+ trees planted by GVB/YCT
July 11, 2026 – Mature Jacarandas shading Dos Pueblo High students
SBUSD Schools Coming Soon
HUSD Schools Coming Soon
City of Goleta Coming Soon
County of Santa Barbara
San Federico Ave
June 5, 2002 – 12 Newly planted African Fern Pine trees line San Federico Ave
June 5, 2002 – Goleta Valley Beautiful President Sam Alfano planting street trees in the parkway with volunteers
July 10, 2026 – 24 years later, some of the several hundred street trees planted along county unincorporated streets
Santa Barbara County Road Yard
February 23, 2002 – 13 African Fern Pine at the County Road Yard 4400 Catherderal Oaks Road with 10 GVB volunteers
July 10, 2026 – 24 years later, the African Fern Pines have matured
July 10, 2026 – Fern Pines thriving along with the 5 Coast Live Oaks planted later