Santa Cruz Island Rising majestically 23 miles off the Santa Barbara coast in California, wild and rugged Santa Cruz Island is a sanctu- ary in time. Its size, isolation from the mainland, biological diversity, and rich history combine to make the 96 square mile island a unique and very important part of Califor- nia's heritage. The largest and most topographically diverse of the eight Channel Islands, Santa Cruz stretches approxi- mately 24 miles in length, is from two to seven miles wide, and encompasses 62,000 acres of land. Here are found examples of metamorphic, igneous, and sediment- ary rock, major earthquake faults, Indian middens, fresh-water streams, creeks, and springs, and biotic communities that range from grassland to riparian woodland to coastal beaches and dunes. With its pris- tine coastline, two mountain ranges rising to 2,400 feet and 1,500 feet, pastoral central valley, and endemic plants and animals, Santa Cruz Island resembles a mini- ature continent. The island supports a remarkable flora and fauna. Over 600 species of plants are found on the island in ten different plant communities. About 40 plant species are restricted to the Channel Islands, and eight of these occur only on Santa Cruz. Notable examples of these island endemic plants include the Santa Cruz Island Ironwood and the Island Oak. Over 130 species of land birds have been identified on the island. The Santa Cruz Island Scrub Jay is representative of island endemism, being larger and bluer than its mainland counterpart. Of the 13 species of terrestrial mammals on Santa Cruz, the Island Fox is a well-known endemic animal charac- terized by its small size, daytime foraging habits and docile nature. Hundreds of seals and sea lions find refuge in the island's protected coves. The 77 miles of shoreline cliffs, beaches, offshore rocks and tidepools provide an important breeding habitat for colonies of nesting sea birds and support a wide variety of crusta- ceans, mollusks, and other shoreline animals and plants. Removed from extensive human impact by its loca- tion and conscientious private ownership, Santa Cruz Island - with its unique assemblage of landforms, habi- tats, and plant and animal life - stands as a living example of primeval America. History Prehistoric occupancy of Santa Cruz Island is dated before 5500 BC, and estimates of the Chumash Indian population on the island at the time explorer Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo "recorded" it in 1542 range from 2,000 to 3,000. Among the estimated 3,000 archae- ological sites is the former principal island settlement of the Chumash. In 1839, 25 years after the last of the Chumash Indi- ants were removed to missions, the island was granted to Andres Castellero by the Governor of California. In 1857, Castellero sold the island to an Englishman, William E. Barron, who in 1869 sold to a group of San Francisco businessmen who formed the Santa Cruz Island Company. In 1880 Justinian Caire became the principal owner and established a colony of mostly French and Italian immigrants on the island. This early ranching operation produced, among other things, wal- nuts, olives, cattle, sheep, honey, almonds and some of the finest early California wines under the Santa Cruz Island label. In 1937, Edwin L. Stanton of Los Angeles acquired the western nine-tenths of the island and concentrated on cattle ranching. In 1957, Edwin's son, Dr. Carey Stanton, returned to Santa Cruz Island to take on the task of managing the ranch. Along with Ranch Man- ager Henry Duffield, Dr. Stanton continues to run a "functioning nineteenth century cattle ranch." In 1975, Dr. Stanton approached The Nature Conserv- ancy about a possible joint conservation effort to ensure preservation of the island. Through a generous arrangement with Dr. Stanton and an outpouring of public support, The Nature Conservancy was able to acquire an interest in the Santa Cruz Island Company property by 1978. Today, a conservation partnership exists between The Nature Conservancy and the Santa Cruz Island Com- pany. Included within the boundaries of the new Chan- nel Islands National Park, the Santa Cruz Island Project of The Nature Conservancy will provide for continued protection, research, and educational use of this priv- ately-owned land.