Cooperative Weed Management Area Support Grant Santa Cruz Island Native Plant Restoration Project Cirsium ochrocentrum and Solanum elaeagnifolium

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Cooperative Weed Management Area Support Grant Santa Cruz Island Native Plant Restoration Project Cirsium ochrocentrum and Solanum elaeagnifolium control Final Report Contract Number G269-06-W0094

Comprised of five 1 in a group of eight southern California islands, Channel Islands National Park is home to a wide variety of nationally and internationally significant natural and cultural

1 Cooperative Weed Management Area Support Grant Santa Cruz Island Native Plant Restoration Project Cirsium ochrocentrum and Solanum elaeagnifolium control Final Report Contract Number G W0094 California s Channel Islands have been called the Galapagos of North America due to their unique and diverse assemblage of plants and animals, many found nowhere else on earth. Comprised of five 1 in a group of eight southern California islands, Channel Islands National Park is home to a wide variety of nationally and internationally significant natural and cultural resources. Over 2,000 species of plants and animals can be found within the Park and at least 145 species are only known from the Islands. The goal of this component of the Santa Cruz Island Native Plant Restoration Project as supported by a Cooperative Weed Management Area Support Grant was to control and contain the spread of two highly rated noxious weeds Cirsium ochrocentrum (a.k.a. yellowspine thistle) and Solanum elaeagnifolium (a.k.a. white horsenettle; silverleaf nightshade) on Santa Cruz Island and Santa Rosa Island. C. ochrocentrum and S. elaeagnifolium are regulated, respectively, as "A" rated and "B" rated weeds by the California Department of Food and Agriculture. Ranching was formerly conducted on both of these islands. Introduced livestock on these islands included horses, pigs, sheep, deer, elk, and cattle. Except for the deer and elk, all the livestock have been removed, ranching has been discontinued, and a concerted effort is ongoing within the Park to restore habitat. The two weeds appear to be closely associated with the presence of livestock on the islands. 1 The five islands that comprise Channel Islands National Park are Anacapa, Santa Cruz, Santa Rosa, San Miguel, and Santa Barbara.

The history of severe impacts related to ranching practices, the long-term presence of non-native ungulates on the islands, and the presence of non-native invasive weeds threaten the prime habitat of

2 The history of severe impacts related to ranching practices, the long-term presence of non-native ungulates on the islands, and the presence of non-native invasive weeds threaten the prime habitat of the islands' unique plants and animals. Program Accomplishments The goals of this project were to conduct 6 trips to the islands to survey and treat the infestations and to conduct outreach to educate the public, vendors, and staff about the problem of invasive plants on the Channel Islands. Channel Islands Restoration was the primary contractor who set up and managed volunteer trips to the islands, conducted outreach, produced a handout, conducted surveys and mapping, and applied herbicides. Many volunteers, the National Park Service Channel Islands National Park, The Nature Conservancy, the University of California Santa Cruz Island Reserve, the County of Santa Barbara Agricultural Commissioner's Office, Island Packers Company, The North Face, the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden, and Channel Islands Restoration provided in-kind contributions of labor, services, and supplies. The County of Santa Barbara Agricultural Commissioner's Office leads the Santa Barbara County Weed Management Area and administered the Cooperative WMA grant. The project's details are: Trip Island 2 Provider 3 Services Provided Billed In-kind (1) 4 6/3/05-6/6/05 SRI CIR Manage, Survey, & Treat (1 $250/day for 2 days) $500 VOL Survey (4 20/hr for 16 hrs) $1,280 CSB Survey (1 $60/hr) $960 NPS Survey (1 $60/hr) $960 NPS Lodging (3 $100 per cabin) $300 All Boat fare (7 $60 per) $420 IPCO Boat fare discounts (20%) 84 Total $4,504 This trip was conducted prior to the establishment of the CWMA contract. This trip identified the baseline populations of yellowspine thistle on Santa Rosa Island. Unfortunately, a medical emergency required David Chang (me) to be transported by helicopter ambulance off of the island. Because of the confusion that resulted, I lost the GPS data of yellowspine thistle points. However, I am able to display the locations on the island that were surveyed. Three primary areas on the island were surveyed for the presence of yellowspine thistle as indicated on the following map. Location # 1 on the northeast side of the island is the ranch headquarters where the infestation is known to occur. This is the area where cattle were held for transport off the island. We estimate that approximately 100 plants of yellowspine thistle were found and treated in this location. Locations # 2 and 3 were surveyed. These are locations where cattle were fed hay. No yellowspine thistle was found. Figure 1. Santa Rosa Island with surveyed sites indicated. 2 SRI = Santa Rosa Island. SCI = Santa Cruz Island 3 CIR = Channel Islands Restoration. NPS = Channel Islands National Park. UC = University of California Santa Cruz Island Reserve. CSB = County of Santa Barbara Agricultural Commissioner. IPCO = Island Packers Company. VOL = Volunteers 4 This trip was conducted prior to the grant period. 2

Trip Island 5 Provider 6 Services Provided Billed In-kind 2.

Total $1,104 $9,138 This was the first trip conducted under contract with the CWMA grant.

Approximately 12 yellowspine thistle plants were treated with 29 ounces of glyphosate herbicide. One gross acre of white horsenettle surveyed and sprayed with Garlon.

3 Trip Island 5 Provider 6 Services Provided Billed In-kind 2. 7/1 7/3/06 SRI CIR Manage, Survey, & Treat $1,000 7 Supplies (herbicide) $104 VOL Survey $4,480 CSB Survey $3,268 NPS Survey $960 NPS Lodging $200 All Boat fare $192 IPCO Boat fare discounts $38 Total $1,104 $9,138 This was the first trip conducted under contract with the CWMA grant. Eight people, all included, made this trip to the island to assist in the survey and treatment, that was conducted at Location # 1 on Santa Rosa Island. Approximately 12 yellowspine thistle plants were treated with 29 ounces of glyphosate herbicide. One gross acre of white horsenettle surveyed and sprayed with Garlon. We also surveyed Location # 4 (See map previous page). No yellowspine thistle was found. Figure 2. Volunteers and CIR staff surveying on Santa Rosa Island. Figure 3. Yellowspine thistle plant after spraying, as indicated by the presence of blue dye Trip Island 4 Provider 5 Services Provided Billed In-kind 3. 7/13 7/14/06 SCI CIR Manage, Survey, & Treat $500 8 Supplies (herbicide) $16 VOL Survey $320 UC Lodging $183 TNC Fuel $48 All Boat fare $48 IPCO Boat fare discounts $10 Total $516 $609 This trip treated white horsenettle at the Christy Ranch Airstrip on Santa Cruz Island. The Christy Ranch Airstrip is slightly east of the location pinpointed below. Figure 4. Santa Cruz Island with Christy Ranch Airstrip located. 4 SRI = Santa Rosa Island. SCI = Santa Cruz Island 6 CIR = Channel Islands Restoration. NPS = Channel Islands National Park. UC = University of California Santa Cruz Island Reserve. CSB = County of Santa Barbara Agricultural Commissioner. IPCO = Island Packers Company. VOL = Volunteers 7 CIR Invoice # CIR Invoice #

Figure 5. Map of Christy Airfield with assorted pictures of treated area where white horsenettle is known to occur. Trip Island 9 Provider 10 Services Provided Billed In-kind 4.

4 Figure 5. Map of Christy Airfield with assorted pictures of treated area where white horsenettle is known to occur. Trip Island 9 Provider 10 Services Provided Billed In-kind 4. 7/27/06 SCI CIR Manage, Survey, & Treat $ Supplies (herbicide) $34 VOL Survey $2,400 UC Lodging $287 Total $284 $2,687 This trip included young people from the NPS and Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area's Minority Youth Education And Employment Program. We surveyed a large area and prepared the area extensively. White horsenettle plants were treated with 12 ounces of Garlon. Trip Island 8 Provider 9 Services Provided Billed In-kind (5) 7/1/07 SCI CIR Manage, Survey, & Treat $250 VOL Survey $2,000 Total $$2,250 Fifteen volunteers assisted with the treatment of white horsenettle. This trip was not conducted as part of this grant but did treat target plants. Trip Island 8 Provider 9 Services Provided Billed In-kind 6. 5/29/08 SCI CIR Manage, Survey, & Treat $ VOL Survey $2,880 UC Lodging $390 Total $500 $3,270 No other details available. 9 SRI = Santa Rosa Island. SCI = Santa Cruz Island 10 CIR = Channel Islands Restoration. NPS = Channel Islands National Park. UC = University of California Santa Cruz Island Reserve. CSB = County of Santa Barbara Agricultural Commissioner. IPCO = Island Packers Company. VOL = Volunteers 11 CIR Invoice # CIR Invoice #

Trip Island 13 Provider 14 Services Provided Billed In-kind 7. 7/15 7/18/08 SRI CIR Manage, Survey, & Treat $1,000 12 Four yellowspine thistle plants were found and treated.

5 Trip Island 13 Provider 14 Services Provided Billed In-kind 7. 7/15 7/18/08 SRI CIR Manage, Survey, & Treat $1, Four yellowspine thistle plants were found and treated. Trip Island 13 Provider 14 Services Provided Billed In-kind 8. 8/24 8/25/08 SCI CIR Manage, Survey, & Treat $ ounces of Garlon 3 were used to treat 2,502 square feet (0.06 acre) of white horsenettle. Trip Island 13 Provider 14 Services Provided Billed In-kind (9) 15 11/7/2008 SRI CIR Manage, Survey, & Treat $500 VOL Survey $3,200 This trip, sponsored by The North Face, that included 10 volunteers, was conducted on Santa Rosa Island in November 2008 after the grant period. No yellowspine thistles were found. Three ounces of Garlon were sprayed on a 4 m 2 section of white horsenettle. Figure 6. Volunteers searching for yellowspine thistle on Santa Rosa Island. Figure 7. White horsenettle plants on Santa Cruz Island showing desiccation and presence of blue dye after treatment. Services Provided by the Agricultural Commissioner's Office Billed In-kind 87 hours of specific administration of CWMA grant and participation in control activities by County of Santa Barbara Agricultural Commissioner's Office For the grant period 5/1/ /31/2008 $5,220 Additionally the NPS Botanist repeatedly checked for yellowspine thistle on Santa Rosa Island during the summer of 2007 (May, June, July, and August). She found 6 plants during that time. 12 CIR Invoice # SRI = Santa Rosa Island. SCI = Santa Cruz Island 14 CIR = Channel Islands Restoration. NPS = Channel Islands National Park. UC = University of California Santa Cruz Island Reserve. CSB = County of Santa Barbara Agricultural Commissioner. IPCO = Island Packers Company. VOL = Volunteers 15 This trip was conducted after the grant period. 5

6 Proposed and Actual Budget Following is the budget that was proposed in our grant application Project Task Est cost CIPM CIR UCSB CSB NPS TNC Volunteers IPCO Project Management, Pest control, Survey, Mapping, Outreach materials = 6 trips x 3 days x 8 $250/day = $4,500 Survey and prepare site = 6 volunteers x 6 trips x 3 days/trip x 8 hours/day x $20/hour = $17,280 Project Administration = 200 $60/hr = $12,000 Lodging (UCSB) = 4 trips x 2 nights per/trip x 7 people (6 volunteers & 1 contractor) x $10/night = $560 Lodging (NPS) = 2 trips x 1 nights per/trip x 7 people (6 volunteers & 1 contractor) x $8/night = $112 Transportation-Vehicles (UCSB) Boat to station vehicle: 4 trips x 1 round trip per/person per/trip x 7 $10/round trip = $280 Transportation-Vehicles (UCSB) on-island vehicle: 4 trips x 3 $44/day = $528 Transportation-Vehicles (NPS) on-island vehicle: 2 trips x 1 $30/day = $60 Transportation-Boat (volunteers) = 6 trips x 6 per/person round-trip =$1,728 Transportation-Boat (CIR) = 6 trips x 1 per/person round-trip =$1,728 Transportation-Boat (IPCO discount) = $12 discount on normal fare per round trip x 6 trips x 7 people (1 contractor & 6 volunteers) = $504 Fuel-average of $40 per trip x 4 trips on Santa Cruz Island = $160 Following are the actual accounted expenditures within the grant period: 5/1/ /31/2008. Project Management, Pest control, Survey, Mapping, Outreach materials $4,500 $4,500 Survey and prepare site $17,280 $17,280 Project Administration $12,800 $12,000 $800 Lodging $672 $560 $112 Transportation- Vehicles $868 $808 $60 Transportation-Boat $2,520 $288 $1,728 $504 Supplies (herbicide, safety gear) $500 $500 Fuel $160 $160 TOTAL $39,300 $5,000 $288 $1,368 $12,000 $972 $160 $19,008 $504 Project Task Est cost Actual CIPM CIR UCSB CSB NPS TNC Vol All IPCO Project Management, Pest control, Survey, $4,500 $4,250 $3,750 $500 Mapping, Outreach materials Survey and prepare site $17,280 $16,308 $3,268 $960 $12,080 Project Administration $12,800 $1,952 $1,952 Lodging $672 $1,060 $860 $200 Transportation- Vehicles $868 Transportation-Boat $2,520 $288 $240 $48 Supplies (herbicide, safety gear) $500 $154 $154 Fuel $160 $48 $48 TOTAL $39,300 $24,060 $3,904 $500 $860 $5,220 $1,160 $48 $12,080 $240 $48 The proposed match was 87%. The actual match is 84%. There were many hours and services that were not included, both within and outside of the grant period. Not all the match that the NPS and TNC provided as lodging, services, labor and administration has been included. We did not include the on-island transportation, because I believe we just forgot to account for it. We also charged other grants for some services provided as some trips were for multiple purposes. Some trips were paid for by The North Face. These costs were mostly not included. Additionally, Channel Islands Restoration is working at the very low rate of $250 per day per employee. This would work out to a gross rate of $31.25 per hour assuming an eight hour day. I did not include what they are actually worth as a match. Education and Outreach Channel Islands Restoration provided educational outreach during each trip to the islands for volunteers on the project. Volunteers were shown digital presentations about the project and the issue of invasive plants on the Channel Islands. An excerpt of the presentation is included in the appendix. 6

Naturalists and employees for the vendor boat transport concession, Island Packers, and National Park Service staff were provided an educational outreach session by Channel Islands Restoration during

Handouts were created to provide a detection target image as seen below.

7 Naturalists and employees for the vendor boat transport concession, Island Packers, and National Park Service staff were provided an educational outreach session by Channel Islands Restoration during which we discussed this project, and the issue of invasive plants, and requested them to be on the lookout for the project's target species. Handouts were created to provide a detection target image as seen below. The Channel Islands National Park conducted an additional training session for their staff to re-emphasize the issue and to be vigilant for early detection targets. Figure 8. Handout provided to vendors and NPS staff to provide a target image for detection Figure 9. Handout provided to vendors and NPS staff to provide a target image for detection These handouts were posted on Island Packers' boats, at National Park Service housing on Santa Rosa Island, at housing at UC Island Reserve station, and at The Nature Conservancy's main ranch. Educational products and additional maps and pictures are included in the appendix. In Summary We achieved the 6 trips, and more, as proposed in the original grant application, but did not reach the hours proposed. A ninth trip, paid for by The North Face, that included 10 volunteers, was conducted on Santa Rosa Island after the grant period in November That trip did not find any yellowspine thistle, and treated a few plants of white horsenettle! If we include the trips that were conducted before and after the grant period and another trip paid for by a different grant, we conducted a total of nine trips 5 trips were on Santa Cruz Island and 4 trips were on Santa Rosa Island. With each trip the numbers of target plants found and treated were considerably less than the initial trip. Numerous volunteers viewed educational outreach presentations on the issue of invasive plants and species especially as they present a problem for the Channel Islands National Park. Park service staff and boat concession employees received training and outreach on this issue as well. The Channel Islands National Park is truly a special place, well-deserving of conservation, protection, and restoration. It is a slice of California without freeways, cities, and people. Each island has its own special feeling some have endemic 7

8 forests of ironwood or Torrey pine, some have sand dunes visible from space, some are mostly grassland, but all are isolated, and all are beautiful. The monies provided by the CIPM for this project were invaluable. Without the money the project would not have been conducted. The populations of the target species were dealt a serious setback by our efforts. As stated, four total trips were made to Santa Rosa Island and on our most recent trip we did not find any individuals of yellowspine thistle, our most serious target species. This project supported other components of the Santa Cruz Island Native Plant Restoration Project that contains and controls invasive plants such as Vinca major, Eucalyptus globulus, and Pennisetum clandestinum. Projects like this help conserve and restore the habitat for endangered species like Arabis hoffmannii, Hoffmann's rock cress. The assistance provided by the Center for Invasive Plant Management and the Bureau of Land Management is greatly appreciated. The Future Both the Channel Islands National Park and The Nature Conservancy have adopted invasive species and habitat restoration policies that include the control of invasive weeds. They are implementing that policy as it applies to invasive weeds. The Nature Conservancy leads a group of stakeholders concerned about invasive weeds on Santa Cruz Island, called the Santa Cruz Island Weed Coordinating Committee, that meets bi-monthly. While The Nature Conservancy's primary interest is Santa Cruz Island, the other members Channel Islands National Park, the Santa Barbara County Weed Management Area, the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden, and Channel Islands Restoration of the SCI Weed Coordinating Committee have interest in conserving habitat on all the islands of the Channel Islands National Park. The SCI Weed Coordinating Committee continually seeks financing for invasive weed projects on the Channel Islands. Report Submitted by: David Chang, Agricultural Program Specialist December 19, 2008 Agricultural Commissioner's Office 263 Camino del Remedio Santa Barbara CA (805) dchang@co.santa-barbara.ca.us with assistance from: Ken Owen Channel Islands Restoration P.O. Box Santa Barbara CA (805) islands@rain.org 8

9 Appendix: Additional products, maps, and pictures. Page 10 Cirsium ochrocentrum target image handout for vendors and staff Page 11 Solanum elaeagnifolium target image handout for vendors and staff Page 12 Additional pictures of CIOC and SOEL Page 13 Additional maps and pictures Page 14 Additional pictures Page Excerpt of PowerPoint presentation given to volunteers while assisting with project Page General outreach handout: "Protect the Islands" 9

org Yellowspine Thistle Growing on Santa

10 Be on the lookout for: Yellowspine Thistle! This destructive weed has been found on Santa Rosa Island (in the former ranch hayfields) and needs to be stopped before it spreads. Please report precise locations of any sightings of this plant ASAP Contact: Sarah Chaney (805) sarah_chaney@nps.gov or Ken Owen Phone: (805) islands@rain.org Yellowspine Thistle Growing on Santa Rosa Island Milk Thistle Yellowspine thistle should not be confused with Milk Thistle that has white veins in the leaves and is more common on the island 10

Be on the lookout for: Silverleaf Nightshade!

fence line) and needs to be stopped before it spreads.

Email: sarah_chaney@nps.gov or Ken Owen Phone: (805) 448-5726 - Email: islands@rain.

11 Be on the lookout for: Silverleaf Nightshade! This destructive weed has been found on Santa Rosa Island (on the south side of hospital field, along the fence line) and needs to be stopped before it spreads. Please report precise locations of any sightings of this plant ASAP Contact: Sarah Chaney (805) sarah_chaney@nps.gov or Ken Owen Phone: (805) islands@rain.org Silverleaf Nightshade growing on Santa Rosa The spinney stems (left) and yellow fruit of Silverleaf Nightshade Island Nightshade Silverleaf Nightshade should not be confused with Island Nightshade that has green foliage and does not have spines. 11

12 Yellowspine thistle Yellowspine thistle Yellowspine thistle rosette White horsenettle White horsenettle fruit White horsenettle 12

13 Santa Rosa Island with roads indicated Primary site of SRI infestation, surveyed location # 1. NPS Botanist Sarah Chaney training volunteers on weed identification on Santa Rosa Island Closer view of site of primary infestation Survey of location # 4 near Torrey pines loop trail on Santa Rosa Island Location #1, the SRI ranch headquarters, and the primary infested site. This is where cattle were held for off-loading and transport back to the mainland. 13

on trip #1. One of the additional locations on SRI that was surveyed.

This photo, from Santa Rosa Island, and the next 2 additional photos illustrate the

This picture is from Santa Rosa Island, looking west towards San Miguel Island Looking

14 Another view of location # 1. Approximately 100+ yellowspine thistle plants were found and treated at this location on trip #1. One of the additional locations on SRI that was surveyed. Cattle were fed hay at this spot. No additional CIOC was found. This photo, from Santa Rosa Island, and the next 2 additional photos illustrate the beauty of the islands and reinforce the need to conserve and restore them. This picture is from Santa Rosa Island, looking west towards San Miguel Island Looking north back to the main ranch from the beginning of the Torrey pines loop trail on Santa Rosa Island. The "team" relaxing during a rejuvenation hike at the Torrey pines loop trail on Santa Rosa Island. 14

15 Excerpt of PowerPoint presentation, relative to CWMA grant, given to volunteers while assisting with the project. Yellow Santa Spine-Thistle Cruz Island & Silverleaf Nightshade Projects Both are highly noxious weeds and are found on Santa Cruz Island and Santa Rosa Island. Santa Cruz Island Cirsium ochrocentrum is designated by the California Department of Food and Agriculture as an A rated noxious weed. A rated noxious weeds are plants of know economic importance subject to enforcement action and are the highest priority for eradication by the CDFA Populations of this weed are of very limited distribution in California. Cirsium ochrocentrum is a patch-forming perennial that spreads by roots or seeds. Stems, leaves, and flowers are covered with very sharp, stout spines. Large infestations could ruin a landscape for recreational activity or wildlife habitat. In Santa Barbara County Cirsium ochrocentrum is only know to occur on Santa Rosa Island. Both plants are being removed on the islands by CIR and Santa Barbara County Agricultural Commissioner's Office with a grant from the Center for Invasive Plant Management. Cirsium ochrocentrum on Santa Rosa Island Santa Cruz Island Santa Cruz Island Cirsium ochrocentrum on Santa Rosa Island Cirsium ochrocentrum on Santa Rosa Island Santa Cruz Island History of Human Habitation Santa Cruz Island History of Human Habitation Spine-Thistle & Nightshade Populations on Santa Rosa Island Spine-Thistle & Nightshade Populations on Santa Rosa Island 15

16 Santa Cruz Island History of Human Habitation Solanum elaeagnifolium is designated by the CDFA as a B rated noxious weed. B rated noxious weeds are plants of known economic importance. Santa Cruz Island Solanum elaeagnifolium is a perennial that spreads by roots or seeds. Stems are sparsely covered with short yellow thorns. The berries and foliage are poisonous to livestock. Large infestations could potentially compete with native plants for nutrients and moisture. Solanum elaeagnifolium is rare in Santa Barbara County. Solanum elaeagnifolium on Santa Rosa Island Santa Cruz Island History of Human Habitation Solanum elaeagnifolium on Santa Cruz Island 16

17 While Hiking Trails can be pathways for a lot more than just people. Weeds often spread along trails and then to adjacent uninfested areas. You can help prevent this from happening by always staying on designated trails, avoid weedinfested areas, and by not picking or transporting plants when hiking on the islands. Pack out all trash Just because a bit of trash apple cores, orange seeds, etc. is organic, doesn t mean it can be left behind. Please be sure to pack out all trash. While most domestic fruit and vegetable species are not invasive, some can germinate and become pests. Private Boats If you visit the islands by private boat, you can be of particular help in preventing the spread of non-native pests. In addition to the prevention methods mentioned earlier, you can help protect endangered animals and plants with the following: Campfires Campfires are prohibited on the islands, and common sense will tell you that they are dangerous and potentially harmful in other ways. In addition to the threat of wildfire, firewood brought from the mainland can harbor organisms that can be very destructive. This includes the fungallike disease, Sudden Oak Death (SOD) that kills several species of native trees. You can help prevent the spread of SOD and other harmful organisms by not transporting firewood under any circumstances. Domestic Animals Although most people know that landing of pets on the islands is prohibited, they probably never imagine the danger domestic animals can pose to wildlife. In 1999, canine distemper killed almost all of the island foxes on the eastern portion of Catalina Island. Island foxes are highly sensitive to disease, and pets and their droppings can spread pathogens and cause other problems for wildlife. Although no one wants to leave a pet at home when they visit the islands, this is probably the best way of avoiding the temptation to land your pet on the islands. For more information, please contact: Santa Cruz Island Native Plant Restoration Project P.O. Box Santa Barbara, CA (805) islands@rain.org Protect the Islands! Weeds and other non-native organisms threaten endangered animals and plants on the Channel Islands and are costly to control. Learn how you can help prevent the introduction and spread of non-native pests before they become a problem.

WHY THE ISLANDS ARE SO SPECIAL Despite their location just off the coast a mere stone s throw from the suburban sprawl of Los Angeles The California Channel Islands are a world away from the 21

Over 2,000 species of plants and animals can be found within the Channel Islands National Park and at least 145 of these species are only found on the islands and nowhere else on Earth.

18 WHY THE ISLANDS ARE SO SPECIAL Despite their location just off the coast a mere stone s throw from the suburban sprawl of Los Angeles The California Channel Islands are a world away from the 21 million people who call Southern California their home. The Channel Islands diverse terrain hosts an astonishing array of wildlife. Over 2,000 species of plants and animals can be found within the Channel Islands National Park and at least 145 of these species are only found on the islands and nowhere else on Earth. The Channel Islands harbor numerous types of terrestrial or land animals, including four unique species. Added to the federal endangered species list in March 2004, the Island Fox has been the top predator on many of the islands for thousands of years. The diminutive fox, the harvest mouse, deer mouse and the spotted skunk are endemic to the Channel Islands, meaning they exist nowhere else. These animals share the islands with various bats, snakes, salamanders, frogs, and more than 200 species of birds, including the island scrub jay. The Channel Islands lie within the boundary of the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary, which extends six nautical miles from the shores of the northern Channel Islands. The sanctuary s waters teem with extraordinary life, nurtured by a fertile combination of warm and cool currents. Forests of giant kelp flourish offshore, providing important nurseries for fish and invertebrates. More than 26 different species of cetaceans, including the endangered blue, hump-back and sei whales, pass through on seasonal migrations. Onshore, sea lions and harbor seals sunbathe on beaches, while marine birds, including California brown pelicans, California least terns and western gulls, hover and nest nearby. WHAT IS AN INVASIVE WEED? The term invasive weed is generally used to describe non-native plants that are unwanted and grow or spread aggressively. Invasive weeds take over important wildlife habitat, devastating shelter and forage while reducing the diversity and quality of native habitat. Weeds often do not hold and protect the soil the way native plants do, so erosion increases and causes sediment in streams, harming fish populations and water quality. Nearly half of the endangered plants and animals in the United States have been negatively affected by invasive species. Invasive species cause an estimated $116 billion in economic damage each year in the United States. HOW YOU CAN HELP If you plan to visit the Channel Islands, you probably care a great deal about protecting them from harm. Ironically, those who enjoy visiting the islands can also be responsible for spreading nonnative species. You can help prevent the introduction and spread of non-native species, which is far more effective than costly eradication programs! Clean and Inspect Clothing, Gear and Containers for Weeds and Other Hitchhikers Many weed seeds readily stick to clothing and camping gear. These seeds can later fall off and germinate, establishing new weed colonies. Weeds and other nonnative organisms can hitch a ride in camping equipment, food containers and baggage. Visitors should clean and inspect their footwear clothing and gear (especially shoe treads and Velcro) for seeds and soil before boarding boats and moving between campsites and islands. Socks and cuffs of pants should be given particular attention. Sleeping bags, sleeping pads, and tents should be cleaned and inspected for soil, invertebrates, and seeds before leaving the mainland.

Project Island Song Wildlife Sanctuary, Bay of Islands

Project Island Song Wildlife Sanctuary, Bay of Islands All of the islands of the eastern Bay of Islands (Ipipiri) are now rat-, mouse- and stoat-free. Many hours and money has been spent to get them to