I recently traveled to Santa Cruz Island, off the coast of California, to do five days of native habitat restoration. Santa Cruz is the largest island in California, and largest of the eight Channel Islands. Four are grouped north of the other four, and make up Channel Islands National Park. Santa Cruz is the only one that is divided between two land managers: the National Park Service (24% of the island), and The Nature Conservancy (76%).
Our reason for being here was to nurture the ~1500 oak seedlings planted six months ago. It required carrying 20 pound containers of water along valleys and hillsides, add nylon poles to mark locations as needed, and apply mulch. We made pink streamers with clips to make it easier to spot the seedlings as grasses and invasive wild fennel sprouted around them.
Can you see the orange and white poles with pink streamers in the photo below?
Our conservation efforts took a great deal of time, but not so much that I didn't find moments to take in the surroundings. Here. we were kayaking along the coastline, exploring coves and caves.
And then, there was the flora and fauna found while hiking the hillsides. So many colors and shapes, that it made the miles breeze by.
Below is a picture of a parasite referred to as Witch's Hair. It doesn't do any direct harm to the shrubs, but blocking sunlight can impart indirect effects.
A curious lizard stopped by to see what I was up to. I was on my way after a virtual handshake and hug.
Eventually, it was time to return to the mainland. I stored enough fond memories to hold me over until my next visit.
A large grouping of blue whales, followed by a pod of dolphins, gave us a fine show, as if to thank us for our care of their surroundings.
It was a glorious adventure that I look forward to repeating soon.
This post is in collaboration with DreemPort. All images are property of the author.
[//]:# (!worldmappin 34.02085 lat -119.68424 long Entrance port to Santa Cruz Island d3scr)