Santa Rosa Island Research Station

Small discoveries can tell big stories.

During sandy beach monitoring, students examine sand crabs and check for egg-bearing females. This is an important indicator of ecosystem health. Hands-on observations like these help inform research and support long-term monitoring of island ecosystems.


Channel Islands National Park

Spring brings color to the island. Checker mallow (Sidalcea malviflora) blooms across Santa Rosa Island, adding vibrant pink hues to grasslands and coastal areas. Native plants like this play an important role in supporting pollinators and maintaining the health of island ecosystems.


Channel Islands National Park CSU Channel Islands

Staying alert and observant while exploring the islands help us identify non-native species early and is a critical component of Biosecurity implementation.

While prevention is the best tool, familiarizing ourselves with native species helps ensure non-natives are spotted before they can wreak havoc. Have you seen anything interesting in the tidepools?


Channel Islands National Park

This bumblebee (Genus Bombus) is an important pollinator, helping support both native plants and the broader ecosystems they sustain.
On the Channel Islands, pollinators play a critical role in maintaining plant diversity, which in turn supports wildlife across the landscape. Even small interactions like a bee moving between flowers, contribute to the health and resilience of these ecosystems.
Throughout this month, we’ve been highlighting how paying attention to these everyday moments in nature can deepen our understanding of place and strengthen our connection to it.

The waters surrounding the Channel Islands are part of one of the most productive marine ecosystems on the West Coast.
Cold, nutrient-rich waters rise to the surface through a process called upwelling, supporting a wide diversity of marine life, from plankton to large marine mammals.
These ocean conditions are constantly in motion, shaping the ecosystems that make the islands so unique.
As we continue our May series, it’s a reminder that time spent near the ocean—whether studying it or simply observing—can offer a sense of perspective and connection to something larger.