Santa Cruz Island Gets Environmental Cleanup: State and Private Partnership Brings New Life to California’s Pacific Jewel

Photos | Media Event Video (4:27 min.)

VENTURA--Actress Daryl Hannah joined the California Integrated Waste Management Board and The Nature Conservancy today in celebrating a major milestone in the restoration efforts of Santa Cruz Island.

Last fall, the Board approved spending $200,000 to clear away tons of trash and debris that for decades have sat piled on this rustic island that is home to a variety of wildlife and plant species. Santa Cruz Island is the largest of the eight Channel Islands located off the coast of Santa Barbra and Ventura counties.

“Decades of trash and waste accumulation have marred the natural beauty of the island” said Board Chair Margo Reid Brown. “This vital clean-up effort helps restore Santa Cruz Island to its natural state, allowing it to be enjoyed for generations to come”.

Tons of non-recyclable waste, primarily from years of ranching operations, had accumulated at a dump site on the island. This trash included scrap metal, old tires, cans of old lead-based paint, derelict vehicles and equipment, and old appliances. Now, the trash is being removed and placed onto barges where it will be sent for proper disposal.

“Our efforts to restore Santa Cruz Island have been a success. The island fox is flourishing, bald eagles are now nesting on the island again, and native habitats are recovering. This CIWMB cleanup effort will greatly contribute to the island’s continued dramatic return to its natural beauty,” said Dr. Lotus A. Vermeer, Director of the Santa Cruz Island Preserve for The Nature Conservancy.

At 96 square miles and approximately 62,000 acres, Santa Cruz Island is jointly owned and managed by The Nature Conservancy and the National Park Service (NPS). It is the most biologically diverse of the Channel Islands. The island supports 60 species found only within the Channel Islands. Twelve of those species--four animals and eight plants--exist only on Santa Cruz Island and nowhere else on Earth.

The Nature Conservancy, the National Park Service, and several public and private partners are engaged in a science-based program to recover the island fox and restore Santa Cruz Island’s native habitats. The program has involved five components: breeding island foxes in captivity and monitoring the wild population, relocating golden eagles to the mainland, re-establishing bald eagles on the island (which is expected to discourage golden eagles from returning), eradicating feral pigs, and controlling habitat-modifying invasive weeds.

The Nature Conservancy is a leading conservation organization protecting ecologically important lands and waters for people and nature.

Photos

CIWMB Chair Margo Reid Brown speaks of the importance and vital clean-up efforts to restore Santa Cruz Island to its natural state.

Daryl Hannah, actress/conservationist, was a guest speaker at a Santa Cruz Island event commending CIWMB for its clean-up efforts.

Lotus Vermeer, Director of The Nature Conservancy, thanked Daryl for her commitment to the Island and environmental work and expressed her deep gratitude to Margo, Gary and CIWMB for cleanup efforts and helping protect the Island.

Russell Galipeau, Superintendent, Channel Island National Park, commended and applauded CIWMB for funding the Channel Island cleanup and taking extra efforts in maintaining the ecological balance on the Island.

The Island fox is now flourishing as native habitats are recovering.

Santa Cruz Island is jointly owned and managed by The Nature Conservancy and the National Park Service. It is the most biologically diverse of the Channel Islands.

Map of Santa Cruz Island, the largest of the Channel Islands located off the coast of Ventura and Santa Barbara.

The California Integrated Waste Management Board is the state's leading authority on recycling and waste reduction. It promotes reducing waste whenever possible, managing all materials to their highest and best use and protecting public health and safety and the environment.

The California Integrated Waste Management Board is one of six boards, departments, and offices within the California Environmental Protection Agency (Cal/EPA).

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