Andree Clark Bird Refuge, a 42-acre (170,000 m2) saltwater marsh is one of the largest wildlife refuges in Santa Barbara County, California.[1] This site also consists of a 29-acre (120,000 m2) freshwater/brackish lake, which drains into East Beach.
The refuge is bounded by the Santa Barbara Zoo, Highway 101, and East Cabrillo Boulevard. Some of the bird species commonly spotted in the park include ruddy ducks, American coots, mallards, California gulls, Western gulls, red-winged blackbirds, and black-crowned night heron.[2] The refuge has both resident and migratory populations.
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[3]
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[4].
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. Ms. Clark stipulated that the facility would be named Andree Clark Bird Refuge after her deceased sister[3][5]. Both Clark sisters were daughters of "Copper King" William A. Clark. The Clarks donated more money in 1930 to complete the work modeled after Ralph Stevens' plans.