Santa Cruz Island

Santa Cruz Island is the largest of California’s eight Channel Islands. This 96-square-mile island includes two mountain ranges flanking a central valley and 77 miles of rugged coastline.

Often referred to as "the Galapagos of North America," the Channel Islands are virtually untouched, offering an unparalleled opportunity for scientists and visitors to study and enjoy the plants and animals that make these islands their home.

Island Biodiversity

Santa Cruz Island is of special significance to biologists for its diversity of habitats and endemic species. The Island supports approximately 900 species of plants and animals, including 12 found nowhere else on Earth.

Isolated from the mainland, it is home to big jays, miniature foxes, and other plants and animals that exist nowhere else on earth. Among these unique species is the Santa Cruz Island fox, a diminutive creature smaller than the average house cat.

Historically, island foxes were the top predator on the island, but in recent years, predation by golden eagles has driven the native island fox population to near extinction on Santa Cruz Island.

The Nature Conservancy is working with the National Park Service, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Department of Fish and Game and other partners on a science-based recovery project to save the island fox from extinction.

Island History

In 1978, The Nature Conservancy paid over $2.5 million to protect the western 90 percent of Santa Cruz Island. This prevented subdivision and development but permitted the key seller, Dr. Carey Stanton, to continue the existing ranching operation.

Following Dr. Stanton's death in 1987, ownership of the property passed to the Conservancy, grazing ceased, and the cattle and sheep were removed. By 1997, the National Park Service had completed the purchase of the remaining eastern tenth of the island, for inclusion in the Channel Islands National Park.

In 2000, the Conservancy donated 8,500 adjacent acres (14 percent of the Island) to the National Park to provide greater access and recreational opportunities for the public.

Visiting the Island

Visitors are welcome to explore Santa Cruz Island, however public access is limited. Pleasure boaters who anchor in the coves along the island's shore must obtain landing permits in order to go ashore on The Nature Conservancy's portion of Santa Cruz Island. Permits also allow for day hikes from these locations on Conservancy property.

Additional transportation services to the island include Island Packers of Ventura and Truth Aquatics of Santa Barbara. Channel Islands National Park offers camping on the islands and an excellent visitor center on the mainland at Channel Islands Harbor in Ventura.

If you have questions regarding visiting Santa Cruz Island, please call the Conservancy's Ventura Office at (805) 642-0345.

Partnering to Preserve an Island

The Nature Conservancy works closely to manage Santa Cruz Island with the National Park Service, which now owns the eastern 24 percent of the island. Together we have implemented a comprehensive, long-term, island-wide program to:

• restore natural habitats
• protect native species
• control or remove non-native species

Island Restoration

After years of careful planning, close collaboration and tireless field work, the Santa Cruz Island restoration is emerging as a stunning success. Read about this remarkable accomplishment.

Nature picture credits (top to bottom, left to right): Photo © Gary N. Crabbe (Santa Cruz Island); Photo © Richard Herrmann (Seal swimming in kelp).