Page 99 - California Diving and Surfing

he Channel Islands at low elevations and terrestrial ecosystems from the late tion groups, the restoration of the island
Pleistocene to historic times. Historically, ecosystems has made significant progress.
T are virtually frost-free and constitute the northern islands were occupied by the Through education, conservation, science,
Island Chumash, while the southern islands and stewardship, Channel Islands National
one of the few such areas in the 48 con- were occupied by the Tongva. Marine Sanctuary provides protection to its
tiguous US states. It snows only rarely, on extraordinary natural and cultural resources
higher mountain peaks. Separated from the T he Chumash and Tongva were re- so that nature can thrive, historic ship-
California mainland throughout recent geo- moved from the islands in the early wrecks and artifacts remain respectfully in
logical history, the Channel Islands provide 19th century, taken to Spanish missions place, cultural connections remain strong,
the earliest evidence for human seafaring and pueblos on the adjacent mainland. For and careful public use and enjoyment can
in the Americas. It is also the site of the a century, the Channel Islands were used be sustained. Designated in 1980 by the
discovery of the earliest paleontological primarily for ranching and fishing activities, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Admin-
evidence of humans in North America. The which had significant impacts on island istration (NOAA), the sanctuary spans 1,470
Northern Channel Islands are now known ecosystems, including the local extinction square miles surrounding five of the Chan-
to have been settled by maritime Paleo of sea otters, bald eagles, and other spe- nel Islands: San Miguel, Santa Rosa, Santa
Indian peoples at least 13,000 years ago. cies. With most of the Channel Islands now Cruz, Anacapa and Santa Barbara.
Archaeological sites on the island provide managed by federal agencies or conserva-
a unique and invaluable record of human
interaction with Channel Island marine