Field Tour Coordinator and Leaders: Tim Robinson, Cachuma Operation and Maintenance Board; Alex Brodie, Rich Powell and Andrea Mills, Island Packers; Jessie Alstatt, Director, Santa Cruz Island Reserve, UCSB; and Penny Owens, SB Channelkeeper

 

Field tour participants will board Island Packers twin hulled vessels for the 1.5 hour trip from Ventura Harbor to Prisoners Cove on Santa Cruz Island. Naturalists, Education Coordinators, Researchers, and the Reserve Director will describe the rich biodiversity of the western Channel Islands, the importance of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and how the rich marine ecosystems link to several salmonid fisheries in the area. We will put ashore at Pelican Cove and make the 2-mile guided hike along the spectacular coastline trail back to Prisoners Cove. Then Reserve vehicles will take us into the interior valley for a very unique visit to the historic ranch, cattle operation, and vineyards. We will enjoy lunch while listening to the Reserve Director share the extensive and colorful history of the ranch and its decades of operation. We will also receive a summary of current activities and objectives of the Reserve. There will be a chance for whale sightings during the crossings as well as possible observations of an Island Fox that have been successfully reintroduced to Santa Cruz Island. The inter-island tour will be limited due to vehicle availability.