Channel Island
Growing up in California, I've never heard of Channel Islands.
Until recently.
Thought it would make a great adventure to go check it out.
Turned out to be beautiful, beautifully windy, but still beautiful.
We began this adventure in the front of the boat.
It was a bit chilly I must confess.
I was very happy that I wore layers because boy did I need them!
The boat went as fast as it could, going over small waves, sometimes almost flying.
My stomach had a roller coaster feeling- but sick I was not.
I quite enjoyed the ride!
Once we landed on the dock, I think we realized HOW windy it actually was.
Despite the wind, the sun was shinning and the birds chirping- it was going to be a good day.
We hiked
ran
walked
stopped
took pictures
it was breath taking.
Twenty-five miles off the coast of southern California lies Santa Cruz Island, the largest of California’s eight Channel Islands. More than 1,000 species of plants and animals inhabit the island’s high peaks, deep canyons, pastoral valleys, and 77 miles of dramatic coastline.
Once on the brink of ecological collapse, Santa Cruz Island now offers visitors a glimpse of what southern California used to be like hundreds of years ago.
After three decades of tireless work, Santa Cruz Island has emerged as a leading example for successful island restoration and innovative conservation. Today, the Conservancy and its partners are focused on preserving the island’s unique plants and animals and sharing lessons learned in island restoration with other island conservation projects around the world.
Island History
When The Nature Conservancy purchased most of Santa Cruz Island in 1978, it was an island in crisis.
Feral pigs and sheep — descendants of introduced domestic livestock — overgrazed the island, severely altering its natural systems and landscape.
Ten species of plants and animals faced extinction, including the Santa Cruz Island fox — the island’s top predator for thousands of years.
A new island predator — the golden eagle — moved in from the mainland to prey on piglets and island foxes, wiping out 95% of the fox population in less than a decade.
The island’s native bald eagles, which are highly territorial and prey on fish rather than foxes, had been wiped out by DDT contamination nearly five decades ago, leaving golden eagles free to devastate the fox population.
Did You Know...?
Santa Cruz Island Harbors:
more than 650 vascular plant species (75% of which are native)
over 200 species of birds
8 species of reptiles and amphibians
7 mammal species (3 of which are bats)
12 species found nowhere else on Earth
It was a good day.
Now, I have to go back in order to kayak, snorkel and camp!
Till next time,
Peace, love and happiness
Until recently.
Thought it would make a great adventure to go check it out.
Turned out to be beautiful, beautifully windy, but still beautiful.
We began this adventure in the front of the boat.
It was a bit chilly I must confess.
I was very happy that I wore layers because boy did I need them!
The boat went as fast as it could, going over small waves, sometimes almost flying.
My stomach had a roller coaster feeling- but sick I was not.
I quite enjoyed the ride!
Once we landed on the dock, I think we realized HOW windy it actually was.
Despite the wind, the sun was shinning and the birds chirping- it was going to be a good day.
We hiked
ran
walked
stopped
took pictures
it was breath taking.
Twenty-five miles off the coast of southern California lies Santa Cruz Island, the largest of California’s eight Channel Islands. More than 1,000 species of plants and animals inhabit the island’s high peaks, deep canyons, pastoral valleys, and 77 miles of dramatic coastline.
Once on the brink of ecological collapse, Santa Cruz Island now offers visitors a glimpse of what southern California used to be like hundreds of years ago.
After three decades of tireless work, Santa Cruz Island has emerged as a leading example for successful island restoration and innovative conservation. Today, the Conservancy and its partners are focused on preserving the island’s unique plants and animals and sharing lessons learned in island restoration with other island conservation projects around the world.
Island History
When The Nature Conservancy purchased most of Santa Cruz Island in 1978, it was an island in crisis.
Feral pigs and sheep — descendants of introduced domestic livestock — overgrazed the island, severely altering its natural systems and landscape.
Ten species of plants and animals faced extinction, including the Santa Cruz Island fox — the island’s top predator for thousands of years.
A new island predator — the golden eagle — moved in from the mainland to prey on piglets and island foxes, wiping out 95% of the fox population in less than a decade.
The island’s native bald eagles, which are highly territorial and prey on fish rather than foxes, had been wiped out by DDT contamination nearly five decades ago, leaving golden eagles free to devastate the fox population.
Did You Know...?
Santa Cruz Island Harbors:
more than 650 vascular plant species (75% of which are native)
over 200 species of birds
8 species of reptiles and amphibians
7 mammal species (3 of which are bats)
12 species found nowhere else on Earth
It was a good day.
Now, I have to go back in order to kayak, snorkel and camp!
Till next time,
Peace, love and happiness