Annual Island Cleanup Day
Written Mar 05 2009 by
Santa Cruz Island Prisoner's Harbor Cleanup September 20, 2008
Channel Islands Park Foundation board members, park staff, family, friends and volunteers participated in a debris cleanup in conjunction with California Coastal Cleanup Day September 20, 2008.
Thirty dedicated enthusiasts assembled at the Ventura Harbor Island Packers Ferry Terminal for orientation and distribution of supplies followed by the 1 1/2 hour crossing to Prisoner's Harbor. After a program briefing by Ranger Mike Morales the group "got dirty and made a difference" by collecting nearly 1,000 lbs of recyclables and trash from the rocky beaches, sandy shoreline and intertidal regions of the harbor. Specific items of interest were weighty metal gratings, fiber glass sheeting, construction wood and two marine craft portholes. All debris was weighed, bagged, recycled or properly disposed of.
During the self-catered lunch and dessert hour renowned local musicians provided rousing entertainment. In addition, Foundation President Carol Pillsbury, Superintendent Russell Galipeau, Chief of Interpretation/Public Information Officer Yvonne Menard, and Chief of Cultural Resources Ann Huston gave presentations on topics ranging from fund raising vision focus, island outreach projects, visitors center rehabilitation, island habitat and wetlands preservation.
Before departure back to the mainland, Clay Downing from the Santa Cruz Island Preserve of the Nature Conservancy led the volunteers on an afternoon hike on the Pelican Trail.
This successful cleanup in such a remote and undeveloped reserve intensified the foundation member's resolve to continue their efforts to recruit new members, and to format future fund raising events featuring our unique and incredible Channel Islands National Park.
--Article by CIPF Vice President Susanne Wilson
Tagged as
Channel Islands Park Foundation, California Coastal Cleanup Day, Santa Cruz Island, Prisoner's Harbor, Island Packers
Written
Mar 05 2009 by
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