By Leo Lewis
When the National Park Service invited me recently to cover an event being held at the Robert J Lagonasino Visitor Center and the Park Headquarters of Visitor Center at Channel Island National Park in Ventura Harbor, I considered it an honor. Not dissimilar to the National Trust in the UK, the NPS are the custodians of some of the most amazingly beautiful land and islands that America has to offer, from the Grand Canyon to the Grand Tetons.
The Channel Islands National Park, referred to as “The American Galapagos,” is no exception since it was established as our 40th national park on March 5, 1980. The Park Service saw the need to protect the heritage of this magnificent area for future generations to enjoy its marine life, habitats, historical and cultural resources.
This isolated chain of islands just off the Southern California coast boasts pristine natural splendor. Half of the Channel Island National Park’s 49,354 acres are underwater and the area is home to 2,000 species of plants and animals. Congress actually passed a bipartisan bill to protect these resources while at the same time giving access to the general public.
This event was held at their headquarters on the peninsula by the entrance to Ventura Harbor, with sand dunes on the Pacific Ocean side and the marina on the other, right next to the delightful Harbor Village. We were introduced to their newest attraction which is part of their magnificent exhibition featuring a native plant garden, a fish pool at waist level that features numerous local marine life (excluding gray whales, sea lions, and dolphins, of course!)
The exhibit takes visitors on an underwater journey through several ocean habitats beginning at ground level with the dark and mysterious deep sea and ascending to a breaching humpback whale at the third floor lookout tower. The journey is complete with a short dive descent in the tower elevator. Superintendent Russell Galipeau said, “We hope this exhibit helps visitors appreciate the beauty, diversity, and values of our ocean. We highlighted some of the current threats to ocean health in hopes to inspire future stewards of the sea.”
What fun and oh, so educational, and it’s FREE for all the family to enjoy. Oh, did I mention Jean, from Middlesbrough in Yorkshire, is there to greet and help answer questions? But don’t stop there. Be adventurous. The National Park Service and National Marine Sanctuary over-sees all the Islands and surrounding ocean up to six nautical miles: San Miguel, Santa Rosa, Santa Cruz, Santa Barbara, and Anacapa.
The islands are currently in full bloom. You won’t find shops, supermarkets, gas stations, homes, or crowds of people but you WILL find flowers, birds, hiking trails, a very basic campsite and breathtaking views everywhere you look, in every direction. Karen and I have watched schools of whales swimming past the islands on their migration. The islands are also easy to get to. Visit www.nps.gov or call (805) 658-5730, or visit Channel Islands National Park at 1901 Spinnaker Drive in Ventura at the far end of Ventura Harbor.
Next door at Harbor Village you will find the Connally Family, who since 1968 have run Island Packers boats to the islands. Working hand in hand with the Park Service they have one common goal: to protect the environment for future generations. They run full and half day trips, as well as whale watching year round. Contact (805) 642-1393 or visit www.islandpackers.com
[adrotate banner=”87″]
