One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish...

Dr Seuss's beloved children's book introduced countless (pun intended!) young people to the joy of reading.  Along the way, they discovered blue fish and old fish; fish with stars and fish with cars!  While the make believe worlds of Dr Seuss are fun to imagine, in the real world, people DO count fish!

In the Kelp Forests off the coast of Anacapa Island, National Park Service scientists have been monitoring indicator species for over three decades!  Kelp forests are true forests providing shelter and food for over 1,000 species of animals and plants that live within them. Fish such as rockfish, kelp bass and California Sheephead hide among kelp fronds to avoid predators and to search for smaller prey. The tall fronds rising to the surface provide substrate and protection for many invertebrate species. Others, like the sea urchins, wavy turban snails, and abalone are there to dine on the kelp blades.   The Kelp Forest Monitoring Program attempts to discover and describe the structure and function of the kelp forest, looking at not only abundance but density of fish, invertebrates and microalgae that make up the forest communities.  Data from this monitoring plays a key role in understanding the effects of harvest on the nearshore marine ecosystem and has helped scientists understand large-scale ecological patterns in kelp forest communities, as well as to predict population trends for individual species.  NPS Biologist David Kushner and Foundation President Pat Meyer Wondering just how scientists count these species?  One, by one, of course!  Seriously, its not exciting or glamorous work, but it is critically important.  Since 1982 Channel Islands National Park, in cooperation with other agencies and organizations, has studied this diverse marine ecosystem, collecting population data on over 70 species of algae, invertebrates, and fish. And to ensure this research continues, Channel Islands Park Foundation recently presented a check for over $4000 to National Park Service biologist David Kushner, who oversees the monitoring program. Watch the crowdfunding video that made the Foundation's gift possible on YouTube.  Created by Jarrett Byrnes at UCSB, the video is a creative way to describe the task of counting fish!

Endangered Species Day!

Endangered Species Coalition

Today, May 18th, is Endangered Species Day.  Established by the United States Senate, Endangered Species Day is the 3rd Friday in May and every year, thousands of people throughout the country celebrate Endangered Species Day at parks, wildlife refuges, zoos, aquariums, botanical gardens, libraries, schools and community centers. You can participate in festivals, field trips, park tours, community clean-ups, film showings, classroom presentations, and many other fun and educational activities.

Learn about the importance of protecting endangered species and everyday actions that people can take to help protect our nation’s disappearing wildlife and last remaining open space. Protecting America’s wildlife and plants today is a legacy we leave to our children and grandchildren, so that all Americans can experience the rich variety of native species that help to define our nation.

For more information, visit http://www.stopextinction.org/.

Did you know, it was the near extinction of our national bird, the Bald Eagle that inspired Congress in 1973, to pass the Endangered Species Act to "provide a means whereby the ecosystems upon which endangered and threatened species depend may be conserved, and to provide a program for the conservation of these species".


Learn more about the Endangered Species Act including:

• listing of species and designation of critical habitat
• recovery planning
• prohibitions
• exceptions to prohibitions 

at http://www.stopextinction.org/species/profiles/189-indepth.html.

The Channel Islands are home to two species that have returned from the brink of near disaster.  Through action, collaboration and careful planning, we can and must make a difference!

It Might Have Been the Wild Turkey?

What would the future have held for the Wild Turkey had it been selected our national bird?  You'll never find an answer to that question, but Saturday, May 19, you can learn about and celebrate the return of Bald Eagles to the Channel Islands!

Nesting pair and eaglets

In 2002 efforts began to restore bald eagles to the northern Channel Islands.  Today, there are over 30 resident bald eagles and at least ten nests on three islands!

Join Channel Islands National Park employees and volunteers at the Visitors Center in Ventura Harbor from 
10:00 am to 4:00 pm.  See a live bald eagle in all its majesty, watch a film about bald eagle recovery efforts and interact with wildlife biologists.  Attend a special live broadcast from Anacapa Island to learn about seabirds and listen to Chumash stories from an island descendant.

There is something for the entire family, including arts and crafts for the kids!

To watch two live bald eagle nests webcams on Santa Cruz Island visit:
http://www.nps.gov/chis/photosmultimedia/bald‐eagle‐webcam.htm

To watch bald eagles nests on Santa Catalina Island visit:
http://iws.org/interactive_nestchat.html

For a film on the bald eagle recovery visit:
http://www.montroserestoration.gov/multimedia/videos/

And in case you were wondering, despite popular legend there is no evidence that Benjamin Franklin ever supported the Wild Turkey as a symbol of the United States.

For additional information about this free event, contact Channel Islands National Park at 805.658.5730.

Restoring Rare Seabirds

Mark your calendar for this Wednesday evening May 9, 2012!  Join us at Channel Islands National Park Visitor Center at 7:00 pm and learn from National Park Service biologist, Laurie Harvey the ongoing efforts to restore rare seabirds and their habitats on the Channel Islands.  

The Channel Islands are vital habitat for seabirds, providing essential nesting and feeding grounds for 99% of seabirds that nest in southern California. Twelve species of seabirds depend on the rich marine resources and the isolation of these offshore islands to provide food and undisturbed nesting grounds safe from predators.
Seabirds are impacted by factors including predation, habitat disturbance, contaminants, oil spills, invasive species, and changes in the ocean environment.  For example, DDT, a long-lived pesticide, introduced into the marine environment in the late 20th century has severely impacted seabird populations at the islands. 

Efforts such as native plant habitat restoration and social attraction techniques to enhance breeding success are ongoing on three different islands, offshore rocks, and islets. These projects have been funded by the Montrose Settlements Restoration Program (MSRP), a multi-agency government program dedicated to restoring natural resources harmed by DDTs and PCBs released into the environment.

Shore to Sea lectures occur at 7:00 p.m. on the second Wednesday of March, April, May, September, October, and November at the Channel Islands National Park Robert J. Lagomarsino Visitor Center, 1901 Spinnaker Drive in the Ventura Harbor. The programs are free and open to the public.


What a great way to increase your understanding of the successes that are possible when interested parties come together to restore damaged environments!

 

Restoring an Iconic Symbol on Santa Cruz Island

Deteriorated Windmill

For years, the windmill at Scorpion Ranch has been a landmark for boaters, directing their approach into Scorpion Anchorage.  Originally constructed as part of a water system to support ranching on Santa Cruz, the windmill had been become badly deteriorated over the decades by extreme weather and age.  This state of disrepair left National Park Service maintenance staff with no choice but to report its condition back to headquarters on the mainland and remove the windmill from the tower.  The story might have ended here with the windmill becoming a casualty of priorities, staffing and funding challenges were it not for a few well placed emails and the vision and dedication of park volunteers and staff alike.

Windmill Circa 1950

Today, the Scorpion Ranch Windmill stands tall once again.  But what is more remarkable than just reconstructing the tower and windmill that sits atop, is the meticulous effort taken to restore this icon as close to historic condition as possible.

Construction projects present challenges in the best of conditions, but take those same challenges to a remote island with limited services and even a simple task becomes one that requires careful planning.  Committed to excavating, preserving and restoring historic elements of the ranch's original  windmill, retired civil engineer and long time park volunteer Don Mills was able to research the original construction and develop detailed drawings and a plan that would result in the historically accurate wooden tower, topped by a Model A702 windmill made by the original company, that now stands on Santa Cruz Island.

Restored Windmill

The Scorpion Ranch Windmill project is important as more than just an example of the successful repair of a deteriorated tower.  It represents the collaboration and vision of Channel Islands National Park staff, volunteers and the community to ensure an historic piece of island life is preserved for the future generations.  John Gherini, who's family owned the island for many years summed it up best. "The windmill is an iconic symbol of the cultural ranching history of the island.  Without a water system, including a windmill and reservoir, there would have been no ranching."



Want to learn more about ranching on Santa Cruz and see the windmill in person?  Schedule a trip to Scorpion Ranch with Island Packers.  Inspired by the volunteer efforts needed to make the windmill project a success? Click here to learn more about becoming a VIP!

Rhythm of Life ~ Sea Lions at Anacapa's Kelp Forest

Artist David Gallup is an explorer not just of nature, but of the introspective and spiritual connection man has with his environment.  Working in the style of the impressionist masters, David's works are created on location in some of the world's most beautiful and fascinating places.  His paintings depict moments when natural elements obscure solid forms to visually represent the sense of awe and mystery he feels for the natural world.

© 2010 David Gallup

    

After being the centerpiece of a solo art exhibit at the Frederick R. Weisman Museum of Art at Pepperdine University in Malibu CA, one such painting, Rhythm of Life ~ Sea Lions at Anacapa's Kelp Forest is now on exhibition at Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach as part of a large solo exhibit of David Gallup's Channel Island paintings. 

Through David's generosity, and for a limited time the Channel Islands Park Foundation is able to offer prints of this magnificent work.  Each 16 x 24 inch print of the original painting is individually numbered and signed by the artist, David Gallup. 

Only 100 prints will be produced and all proceeds from this offering support the work of the Channel Islands Park Foundation.  Don't miss this chance to own an exclusive print with your generous donation of $250.  To secure your copy click on the Buy Now button or contact the Foundation at 805.658.5737 or by email info@ciparkfoundation.org.


Click here to learn more about the work of David Gallup.

Where will YOU visit during National Park Week!

April may be the best month ever!  Its showers bring May flowers... it hosts Earth Day all over the world... AND from April 21st - 29th, you can celebrate National Park Week!

Whether it's your first trip, or the latest of many memorable park experiences, National Park Week is a chance to get active while experiencing the amazing places that make up the national park system for FREE. That's right... FREE! Visit any of America’s national parks and enjoy free admission all week long!

Together, we are owners, protectors and lovers of this land. Whether you are visiting, volunteering or interested in sharing your national park experience with the world, you can find all the resources you need to make your National Park Week experience a memorable one.

What are you waiting for?  Picture yourself in a park!