Feb 22 2010
The Channel Islands 30th Anniversary as a National Park
Channel Islands National Park celebrates its 30th anniversary as America’s 40th National Park during the month of March! President Jimmy Carter helped Southern Californians protect five of their offshore islands beginning March 5, 1980.
Many people don’t realize that there are islands off the coast of Southern California and are further surprised to find out they are a National Park. With so many millions of people onshore just a
few miles away it really is quite remarkable that the only inhabited island is Catalina. But for who knows how long, the islands were home to the Chumash Indians back before the gold rush days. In fact, the oldest dated human remains have been found on the islands, dating back more than 13,000 years ago.
Most of the past thirty years have been spent returning the islands to their natural state; before ranching and before the fish camps. The islands are home to some species not found anywhere else and so are commonly referred as “the Galapagos” of North America’s West coast.
A film, entitled “Restoring Balance: Santa Cruz Island” combined with a lecture series, “From Shore to Sea”, will highlight the month-long celebration. The program is presented on March 7 at 7pm in the Santa Barbara Maritime Museum and again on March 10 at the Ventura Harbor at the Robert J. Lagomarsino Visitor Center.
March is also a peak month for whale watching with whales beginning to head North from their winter vacation in Southern waters. So, pack a lunch and head out to Anacapa Island for a great day sail. Or find Island Packers who will give you a lift. The wildflowers are going to be incredible with the welcome rains we have had this Winter!
