California
The Wildlife & Wonders of Channel Islands National Park
Program No. 14758RJ
Explore the pristine ecology of Channel Islands National Park, discovering a wealth of unique flora, fauna and geology as you learn the islands’ story from local naturalists.
Program
At a Glance
Duration
6 days
Program Begins
Ventura, California
Program Concludes
Ventura, California
Meals
12 (
5B, 3L, 4D
)
Activity Level
Relatively untouched by modern culture, California’s Channel Islands National Park is an oasis of natural splendor. Journey by boat and experience two days inside the national park and enjoy the sea life along the way. Get up close to the island’s rich array of plant life, sea birds and mammals — some found nowhere else in the world – and explore Ventura like a local as you immerse yourself in the treasures of this region.
Best of all, you'll...
- Join local naturalists who add expert insight during expeditions to Channel Islands National Park.
- Discover how the islands’ isolation has created a unique ecosystem as you study endemic plants and geology.
- Trace the human history from the Native Chumash people to explorers, fur traders, ranchers and scientists.
General Notes
This program visits the Channel Islands two days during the week. Landing locations and islands will vary by date. Our program is planned far in advance, and the exact landing locations for 2025 will be determined when tide schedules are made available later in 2024 in conjunction with our vendor’s schedule. Boat trips to the Channel Islands are dependent on sea conditions, which can be rough, and subject to cancellation by the boat’s captain depending on ocean swell and wind conditions. Alternate plans on the mainland will be in place if an island field trip is cancelled.
Featured Expert
All Experts
Margery Spielman
Margery Spielman is an accomplished environmental artist, lecturer, naturalist and professional diver. As a scuba instructor and stunt diver, she worked underwater on numerous television productions and for many years, worked on freelance assignments for The Cousteau Society, doing research, logistics, diving, speaking and illustrating. Described as a visionary realist, she’s exhibited her artwork in major Marine Art Expos from Hawaii to Paris. For over 25 years, Margery’s been the leading Naturalist in Road Scholar’s Channel Islands programs.
Please Note:
This expert may not be available for every date of the program
Please Note:
These experts may not be available for every date of the program
Margery Spielman
Margery Spielman is an accomplished environmental artist, lecturer, naturalist and professional diver. As a scuba instructor and stunt diver, she worked underwater on numerous television productions and for many years, worked on freelance assignments for The Cousteau Society, doing research, logistics, diving, speaking and illustrating. Described as a visionary realist, she’s exhibited her artwork in major Marine Art Expos from Hawaii to Paris. For over 25 years, Margery’s been the leading Naturalist in Road Scholar’s Channel Islands programs.
Keri Dearborn
Keri Dearborn is the education director for Friends of the Island Fox and has been with the organization since its founding in 2005. She holds a master’s degree in environmental education and developed FIF’s school and community education outreach program. Keri has taught on the subjects of insects, amphibians, reptiles, and local whales and dolphins for a UCLA Extension course in zoology. As a published author and poet, Keri blogs on sustainability issues and Southern California wildlife on AnimalBytes.net.
Ken McAlpine
Ken McAlpine is an award-winning author who has written for various magazines ranging including National Geographic, winning three Lowell Thomas awards — travel writing's top award. Ken was born in Hong Kong and spent his childhood in Southeast Asia. He continued to travel throughout his life while writing, working on assignments from diving with white sharks to running the Inca trail to Machu Picchu. Ken currently lives in Ventura and likes to stand in his yard at night, looking at the stars.
Terri Blake Dano
Terri Blake Dano is an eighth-generation Californian who earned a B.A. from Cal State Chico. Her three-decade career in the garment industry has taken her across the country and to many European capitals, and she has explored the globe for both business and pleasure. She lives in Santa Monica with her husband, Rick, but spends equal time in Lake Tahoe. She lives an active lifestyle and enjoys skiing, hiking, biking, paddle boarding, and kayaking with family and friends.
Susan Morris
Susan Morris has been conducting historical research involving the Channel Islands since 1987. With a bachelor’s in journalism and a certificate in archaeology, she has participated in field studies on seven of the eight Channel Islands. She was the principal investigator of a cave-associated archaeology survey on Santa Rosa Island. Passionate about solving historical mysteries, her focus of the past eight years has been historical research for the Island of the Blue Dolphins website, hosted by Channel Islands National Park.
Colleen Delaney
Dr. Colleen Delaney is an associate professor of anthropology at CSU Channel Islands. She earned her Ph.D. and master’s in archaeological anthropology from UCLA, and a bachelor’s in anthropology with a minor in museum studies from Beloit College. As an anthropologist, she is committed to teaching all students the value of critical thinking, cultural awareness, and cultural understanding in the global world of today. As a broadly trained anthropologist, her research interests are diverse and interdisciplinary.
Susan Kuzminsky
Susan Kuzminsky earned her undergraduate degree at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), and her M.A. and Ph.D. in anthropology from the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB). She is currently an assistant professor of anthropology at the California State University Channel Islands. As a human skeletal biologist, her research focuses on evolutionary adaptations and the population history of western North America and South America. Dr. Kuzminsky enjoys spending time with her partner and their cats, traveling, reading, gardening, and taking long walks.
Activity Level
Keep the Pace
If schedule for Anacapa Island, climbing 157 stairs from pier to island plateau, about 9 flights of stairs with railings. Walking up to two miles on uneven terrain and dirt hiking trails. Travel to islands by boat, weather permitting. Getting on and off a boat.
Suggested Books and Resources
View Full List
You can also find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
HAVE QUESTIONS?
Prefer to enroll or inquire by phone?
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Call
800-454-5768
Enroll with Confidence
Peace of Mind
We want your Road Scholar learning adventure to be something to look forward to—not worry about. That’s why we go to the ends of the earth to give you peace of mind, from the moment you enroll until the day you return home.
Assurance Plan
Road Scholar is committed to the well-being of every participant, whether on a program in the United States or abroad. That’s why all participants are covered under our Road Scholar Assurance Plan, which provides 24-hour assistance in the event of an emergency during your program, as well as insurance for emergency medical evacuation.
Want to Protect Your Investment?
Road Scholar is pleased to offer its Trip Protection Plan as a way to protect your program investment. You may purchase this optional trip protection plan when enrolling in your program.
Sustainable Travel
We offset a portion of the emissions created by your travel. Read about our commitment to a more sustainable planet.
- Peace of Mind
We want your Road Scholar learning adventure to be something to look forward to—not worry about. That’s why we go to the ends of the earth to give you peace of mind, from the moment you enroll until the day you return home.
- Assurance Plan
Road Scholar is committed to the well-being of every participant, whether on a program in the United States or abroad. That’s why all participants are covered under our Road Scholar Assurance Plan, which provides 24-hour assistance in the event of an emergency during your program, as well as insurance for emergency medical evacuation.
- Want to Protect Your Investment?
Road Scholar is pleased to offer its Trip Protection Plan as a way to protect your program investment. You may purchase this optional trip protection plan when enrolling in your program.
- Sustainable Travel
We offset a portion of the emissions created by your travel. Read about our commitment to a more sustainable planet.