Channel Islands National Park National Park Service Channel Islands California U.S. Department of the Interior protected asChannelIslandsNational Park. are island waters withinonenauticalmileofeach five oftheislands,theirsubmergedlands,and rise totherichbiodiversityoftheseis the minglingofwarmandcoldoceancurrents give else onEarth.Iso cies ofanimalsandplants—145are found nowhere spe their encircling watersare2,000 hometoover rate themfrom themainland,eightislands and dark rock. Namedforthedeeptroughs thatsepa of ribbons Islands seemtofloatonthehorizonlike theOff California thecoastofsouthern Channel ions. You don’t havetogofarfindsuchaplace. and therhyth breezes, walk onadesertedbeachwithbirds,salty fortranquility—tounfamiliar landortheyearning Maybe itisthethrilloftravelingoverwatertoan Something drawsustotheseaanditsislands. Nowhere ElseOnEarth Not longagotheyfacedextinction. pelicans inthewesternUnitedStates. breeding colonyofCaliforniabrown islands, includingtheonlymajor Eleven seabirdspeciesnestonthe of seabirdsinsouthernCalifornia. and feedinggroundsfor99percent The islandsprovideessentialnesting A SafeHavenforSeabirds mic washofwavesasourcompan lation over thousands of years and lation overthousandsofyearsand
endangered specieslist. the from 2009 theywereremoved led toaremark tosavethesebirds fight The 1972. species in1970andbannedDDT brown pelicanasanendangered DDT as thecauseandlisted capa survived.Scientistspinpointed In 1970onlyonechickonWest Ana able recovery and in lands. Today, - -
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a new species of pygmy mammoth, a newspeciesofpygmymammoth, vironment. Mam and adaptedtotheisolateden Many speciesevolvedovertime from themainland. isolation ofanimalsandplants channel againandincreasedthe the sealevel.Thiswidened water frommeltingglaciersraised seeds floated.Birdsflew. Later, on raftsofveg nel. Miceandfoxesdriftedover tory. Mam cies toventureintothisnewterri to reachthen,allowedsomespe seafloor. Thelandoffshore, easier Channel andexposedsomeofthe distance acrosstheSantaBarbara during theiceagesnarrowed Living Alone many plantsgrewlarger. fox. Speciesofmice,scrubjays,and house cats,becomingtoday’sisland and grayfoxesshranktothesizeof The ChannelIslandsfrom theIceAgestoToday moths swamthechan
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of ahumanlegbonefoundon ago; 13,000-year attracted seafaringpeoplelong People ontheIslands chain aspredatorandprey. squid, amajorlinkinthefood like seastarsandsurfgrass, and dolphins,intertidaldwellers fish), some28speciesofwhales garibaldi (California’s statemarine northern furseals,brightorange species youwillfindhereare diversity oflife.Amongthe2,000 an eco rents, winds,andweathercreate seals breed.Together, watercur from whereplantsgrowtowhen and seacontrolseverythinghere, powerful bondbetweentheland Kinship ofIslandsandSea Indians settledonthenorthern America. OvertimeChumash known humanpresenceinNorth Santa Rosarecordtheearliest system thatsupportsarich -old remains The islands A
and may have been buried on one and mayhavebeenburiedonone Cabrillo diedfrominjuries 1543, Isla dePosesión.OnJan wintered onanislandhe called Bar Cabrillo sailedintotheSanta In October1542JuanRodríguez sionaries, andranchers. attracted Spanishexplorers,mis later bountiful naturalresources region’s temperateclimateand used forthiscommerce.The manufacture themaincurrency mash usedpurpleolivellashellsto coast andinland.TheislandChu that extendedupanddownthe tribes joined inatradingnet Prosperous andindustrious,the settled thesouthernislands. islands, andGabrieliño/Tongva their pres George Van has neverbeenfound.Capt. of theislands,althoughhisgrave bara Channel. His expedition bara Channel.Hisexpedition ent names in 1793. Early ent namesin1793.Early couver gave the islands couver gavetheislands uary 3, 3, uary
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diversity. of theirnatural are regain islands the and activities haveceased military and ranching andothercommercial cal dynamicsoftheislands.Today, threatened todestroytheecologi alien plantandanimalspeciesthat on theislandecology, introducing activities haddevastatingeffects ing raidsonSanMiguel.These Santa Barbaraandpracticedbomb set uplookoutsonAnacapaand late 1800s.Inthe1900smilitary come economicmainstaysbythe ing campsandranchinghadbe Fish moved tomainlandmissions. By 1822mostChu extinction. sea lions,nearlyhuntingthemto coves forseaotters,seals,and the in the1800sfurtraderssearched mash had been had been mash ing some ing some
NPS /MICHAELHAMPSHIRE park’s fiveislands. isillustration This a composite of the tions tocome. genera for resources foryouand preserves thenaturalandcultural and ecosystems, restores species, tects threatenedandendangered Nation Marine Sanc from eachis extending outsixnauticalmiles Islands NationalPark.Thewaters cal mileofeachislandasChannel lands andwaterswithinonenauti Santa Barbara,andthesubmerged Santa Rosa,Cruz,Ana gress designatedSanMiguel, National Monu Barbara becameChannelIslands in 1938whenAnacapaandSanta Pro Protection andRestoration tection fortheislandsbegan al Parkmonitorsandpro tuary. ChannelIslands land areaNational ment. In1980Con
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Visiting Channel Islands National Park The National Park Islands at a Glance
When was the last time you gazed at Planning Your Visit? Whether you go details. Service animals are welcome For Your Safety Be sure to check the Commercial Service to the Islands San Miguel Island the ocean? Did you see the islands? to the islands on your own boat or in the mainland visitor center. On the park website and newspaper for Channel Islands Aviation This westernmost island receives the brunt of the north Feel them call you? Savor the sea— with a park concessioner, you should islands they are allowed only by per- details about safety and regulations. 305 Durley Avenue westerly winds, fog, and severe weather from the open its gulls, barking sea lions, and tiny use the park website (nps.gov/chis) mit from the superintendent. • Weather conditions change rapidly; Camarillo, CA 93010 ocean. The cold, nutrient-rich water surrounding the creatures. Take time for a visit. and the free park newspaper, The dress in layers. • There are no supplies 805-987-1301 9,491-acre, eight-mile-long and four-mile-wide island is Island Guide, to plan your visit. They Things to See and Do Visitors to the on the islands. Take water, food, and www.flycia.com home for a diversity of sea life. Submerged rocks make the The eight Channel Islands span 160 describe the many tour options that islands may swim, snorkel, hike, camp, other necessities. • Watch your step— nearly 28-mile coastline a mariner’s nightmare. Rough seas miles off the coast of southern Cali- are available and include information watch wildlife, kayak, sail, and explore ladders, railings, and stairs may be Island Packers, Inc. and risky landings did not daunt the Chumash who lived fornia (see map at left). There are about boat and airplane concessioners tidepools, beaches, and rugged can- wet. • Stay back from cliff edges; 1691 Spinnaker Drive, Suite 105 B here, nor did they deter the first European explorer, Juan four northern islands—San Miguel, that can take you to the islands. They yons. Naturalists lead hikes. The kelp they may be crumbly or undercut—a Ventura, CA 93001 Santa Rosa, Santa Cruz, and Anacapa, have detailed information about forests, caves, clear water, and rich fall could be fatal. • Do not approach 805-642-1393 Rodríguez Cabrillo, in 1542. Ranchers raised sheep from and four southern islands—San Nico- activities on the islands and in the diversity of animals and plants make marine mammals like whales, seals, www.islandpackers.com 1850 to 1948. Later the Navy used the island for a bombing las, Santa Barbara, Santa Catalina, water, boating safety, weather, park this one of the top scuba diving sites and sea lions. • Pets are prohibited on range. Today, native species are making a recovery in this and San Clemente. regulations, and more. Park staff can in the world. the islands. • Check yourself for ticks More Information sanctuary. also help you plan your visit. Contact and watch out for poison oak. • For Channel Islands National Park Island Features: Chumash sites; Cabrillo Monument; caliche Visitor Centers The visitor center in a visitor center for information. Protecting the Islands The islands’ firearms regulations ask a park ranger 1901 Spinnaker Drive forest; seabird, seal, and sea lion rookeries. © TIM HAUF PHOTOGRAPHY Ventura has information, a film, an natural and cultural resources, includ- or check the park website. Ventura, CA 93001-4354 Each year over 100,000 seals and sea indoor marine life display, exhibits Accessibility We strive to make our ing all seabirds, marine mammals and 805-658-5730 lions breed and haul out on San Miguel. about the natural and cultural fea- facilities, services, and programs other wildlife, plants and wildflowers, WARNING Deer mice on the islands www.nps.gov/chis tures of the islands, a native plant accessible to all. For information go artifacts, structures, rocks, fossils, may carry diseases, including deadly garden, and a bookstore. A small to a visitor center, ask a ranger, call, shells, and shipwrecks are protected hantavirus. Avoid all contact with Outdoors Santa Barbara visitor center in Santa Barbara has or check our website. The Ventura by federal law—all collecting is illegal. mice and other wild animals. Keep Visitor Center Santa Rosa Island food in rodent-proof containers. 113 Harbor Way, 4th floor information and exhibits. Both visitor center is accessible for visitors Keep at least 100 yards away from The second-largest island, with 53,051 acres—15 miles long visitor centers are open daily, except with special needs, but getting onto marine mammals and seabirds. Fish Santa Barbara, CA 93109 and 10 miles wide—beckons you with rolling hills, deep Thanksgiving and December 25. the islands can be difficult; ask for and wildlife laws are strictly enforced. In an emergency: On the islands 805-884-1475 canyons, a coastal lagoon, and beaches adorned with sand Staying on trails helps prevent erosion contact a ranger. On the water use dunes and driftwood. The Chumash called it Wima or and protects fragile vegetation. marine radio VHF channel 16. Channel Islands is one of over 400 parks in the National Park “driftwood” because channel currents brought ashore logs System. Visit www.nps.gov to from which they built tomols, plank canoes. For thousands learn more about parks and of years unusual animals and plants made the island their National Park Service programs. home. Flightless geese, giant mice, and pygmy mammoths are extinct, while the island fox, spotted skunk, and munchkin dudleya (one of six plant species found only on this island) still live here. Island Features: Chumash and ranching history; Torrey pines; snowy plover; Lobo Canyon; sand dunes; beaches. © TIM HAUF PHOTOGRAPHY Rare Torrey pines grow only near San Diego and at Bechers Bay.
Santa Cruz Island Here are pristine beaches, rugged mountains, lonely can- yons, grass-covered hills, and some animals and plants that you have never seen before. This paradise is Santa Cruz Island, a miniature of what southern California looked like over 100 years ago. The largest island in the national park, with 61,972 acres, Santa Cruz is 22 miles long and from two to six miles wide. A central valley splits the island along the Santa Cruz Island fault, with volcanic rock on the north and older sedimentary rock on the south. The Nature Conservancy and the National Park Service preserve and protect the island. Island Features: historic ranches; island fox; island scrub jay; Painted Cave, one of the world’s largest sea caves. © TIM HAUF PHOTOGRAPHY From the hills above Smuggler’s Ranch you can see Anacapa in the distance.
Anacapa Island Twelve miles from the mainland a five-mile-long spine of rock emerges from the ocean, breaks into three islets, and offers itself as home to 265 species of plants and a bevy of seabirds—with the largest brown pelican rookery in the United States. On charts the island of 737 acres appears as East, Middle, and West Anacapa. The Chumash called it Anyapakh or “mirage.” It was anything but a mirage on the night of December 2, 1853, when the side- wheel steamer Winfield Scott running at full speed crashed into rocks off Middle Anacapa and sank. The Coast Guard built a light beacon in 1912 and a light station in 1932. Island Features: bird rookeries; Chumash middens; giant coreopsis; tidepools; kelp forests; sea caves; arches. © TIM HAUF PHOTOGRAPHY Sunrise lights up Inspiration Point and Middle and West Anacapa.
Santa Barbara Island Steep cliffs of this smallest island—644 acres or about one square mile—rise above rocky shores to a grassy mesa flanked with twin peaks. Gabrieliño/Tongva Indians fished here. Explorers, seal and abalone hunters, ranchers, and the military took their toll. Today, after years of species Marine Protected Areas Islands on the Edge and habitat loss, animals and native vegetation are mak- Within the park and sanctuary is The Channel Islands lie in a region The islands rose from the ocean Ocean currents also play a big ing a remarkable recovery. Among those found here are a network of Marine Protected between the mainland coast and millions of years ago and were role in the biodiversity of the Scripps’s murrelet, a seabird that nests in crevices in the Areas (MPAs) that provide a the deep ocean called the Conti- born of plate tectonics, volcanic islands. A cold current traveling cliffs, and the Santa Barbara Island live-forever, a rare refuge for sea life and opportu nental Shelf. The sea floor is com activity, and fluctuating sea lev- south along the North Pacific plant found only on this island. nities for recreation, education, posed of canyons, banks (under els. These islands on the edge of coast meets at the Channel Islands Island Features: seabird, seal, and sea lion rookeries; and science. In 11 Marine Re- water plateaus), escarpments, sea the continent were never con with a warm current moving up island night lizard; wildflowers; kelp forests. serves, recreational fishing and mounts, and deep basins (Santa nected to the mainland. During from the tropics. Upwelling nutri- commercial harvest are prohibit- Cruz Basin is deeper than Arizo- the ice ages ocean levels dropped ents from the ocean floor mingle © TIM HAUF PHOTOGRAPHY ed; limited fishing and harvest na’s Grand Canyon). This topo as the polar caps expanded. What with these currents, mixing fish Giant coreopsis (tree sunflowers) are allowed in two Marine Con- graphy—shallow and deep, are now San Miguel, Santa Rosa, and other sea life into a rich living make a showy display at Arch Point. servation Areas. The MPAs total smooth and rugged, sunlit and Santa Cruz, and Anacapa islands soup. Giant kelp forests encircle 318 square miles, the largest dark—creates habitats for a were once joined as a single island the islands and host a wealth such network off the continental diversity of species. called Santarosae. When the sea of ocean visitors, from tiny plank- United States. For more informa- rose again it created the four ton and sponges to giant blue tion visit www.nps.gov/chis. islands we see today. whales. Join the park community. www.nationalparks.org
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