Santa Rosa Island Research Station

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Santa Rosa Island Research Station For questions related to SRIRS, qualified trip inquiries, or more info contact: [email protected]

The California State University Channel Islands (CI) Santa Rosa Island Research Station (SRIRS) seeks to cultivate a diverse community of scholars and initiate innovative resource management solutions by supporting research, education, and outreach programs across disciplines.

These Northern elephant seals, scientifically known as mirounga angustirostris, use island shorelines as resting areas b...
10/15/2026

These Northern elephant seals, scientifically known as mirounga angustirostris, use island shorelines as resting areas between time spent foraging in the ocean.

These haul-out spaces help marine mammals conserve energy, warm up, and stay near productive feeding grounds. They also serve as nurseries for burgeoning family cohorts. Around the Channel Islands, beaches and rocky coastlines provide important resting habitat for pinnipeds that depend on both land and sea.





Image Description: Northern elephant seals, mirounga angustirostris, resting on a sandy beach below coastal bluffs on Santa Rosa Island.

Presented by the Santa Barbara Audubon Society and the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History.Join award-winning writer...
10/13/2026

Presented by the Santa Barbara Audubon Society and the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History.

Join award-winning writer and wildlife biologist Sophie Osborn for an illustrated presentation of the often-untold stories of intrepid and dedicated women field biologists and conservationists. Osborn will share a selection of examples from her inspiring new anthology, Wild Work, co-edited with freshwater ecologist Susan B. Adams. Osborn will talk about the demands of scientific fieldwork, the lifelong friendships forged, and the transformative power of connecting deeply with the natural world.

For more information and to reserve a ticket, go to https://www.sbnature.org/visit/calendar/9294/wild-work-adventures-of-women-field-biologists

Island fact: fieldwork on Santa Rosa Island often starts long before data collection begins.Remote beaches and coastal s...
10/10/2026

Island fact: fieldwork on Santa Rosa Island often starts long before data collection begins.

Remote beaches and coastal sites can be difficult to access, so researchers and volunteers may carry specialized gear, safety supplies, and collection equipment for miles across uneven terrain. This behind-the-scenes preparation helps make island research, monitoring, and cleanup work possible, and keeps everyone safe.





Image Description: A field team standing near a rocky shoreline with frame packs and field equipment on Santa Rosa Island.

We are posting this update to correct a misidentification in a previous post-fire caption. This photo shows fire-related...
10/08/2026

We are posting this update to correct a misidentification in a previous post-fire caption. This photo shows fire-related damage along the Torrey Pines Trail on Santa Rosa Island, where burned trees, unstable ground, and damaged trail tread can create hazardous conditions.

Post-fire landscapes can remain fragile and unpredictable long after the fire has passed. On Torrey Pines Trail, hazardous trees and sections of undercut or missing trail tread highlight why trail assessments, repairs, and visitor safety updates are an important part of post-fire recovery.

Thank you for following along as we continue sharing accurate information about Santa Rosa Island’s changing landscapes and the work needed to protect both people and island ecosystems.





Image Description: A burned section of the Torrey Pines Trail on Santa Rosa Island with charred trees, ash-covered ground, exposed rocks, and damaged trail tread following fire-related impacts.

Biosecurity begins before anyone steps onto Santa Rosa Island.Checking shoes, backpacks, clothing, and field gear helps ...
10/08/2026

Biosecurity begins before anyone steps onto Santa Rosa Island.

Checking shoes, backpacks, clothing, and field gear helps prevent seeds, soil, insects, and other organisms from accidentally traveling to the island. These small prevention steps are especially important in isolated ecosystems, where introduced species can spread quickly and affect native plants and wildlife.





Image Description: A group preparing for fieldwork near a harbor area, highlighting the importance of checking gear before traveling to Santa Rosa Island.

Biosecurity helps protect Santa Rosa Island from nonnative species and pathogens that can disrupt sensitive habitats.Wet...
10/01/2026

Biosecurity helps protect Santa Rosa Island from nonnative species and pathogens that can disrupt sensitive habitats.

Wetland and water-adjacent areas are especially important to protect because seeds, soil, microbes, and small organisms can move on boots, clothing, equipment, and field gear. Cleaning gear before and after fieldwork helps reduce the spread of nonnative species and protects native plants, wildlife, and habitats.

A few careful steps before entering the field can make a lasting difference for island ecosystems.





Image Description: A field researcher kneeling beside a shallow wetland area among low vegetation on Santa Rosa Island

Celebrate 100 years of the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden with free admission every Sunday in October.Bring your family, f...
09/29/2026

Celebrate 100 years of the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden with free admission every Sunday in October.

Bring your family, friends, and even your four-legged companions later in the month to explore 78 acres of California native plants, enjoy special activities, and reconnect with the Garden. Each week will highlight a different theme, including art and music, health and wellness, youth and family experiences, and dogs in the Garden.

Reservations are required, so be sure to plan ahead before your visit. Come celebrate a century of growing appreciation for California native plants and the communities that care for them.



Island fact: This fruiting plant known as the Elderberry (genus Sambucus) can produce small flowers that can support pol...
09/25/2026

Island fact: This fruiting plant known as the Elderberry (genus Sambucus) can produce small flowers that can support pollinators, and it's dark berries provide seasonal food for birds and other wildlife.

On Santa Rosa Island, plants like blue elderberry help connect different parts of the ecosystem. As wildlife feeds on the berries, seeds can move across the landscape, supporting new plant growth and habitat connections over time.

Healthy plant communities help sustain food sources, shelter, and wildlife movement throughout island ecosystems.



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Image Description: Elderberry, likely Sambucus cerulea, growing with clusters of dark purple berries and green leaves among dense island vegetation.

Wildlife Wednesday is not always about the animals that are easy to spot from far away. Here we have some small but migh...
09/23/2026

Wildlife Wednesday is not always about the animals that are easy to spot from far away. Here we have some small but mighty island critters known as the Bi-Colored Carpenter Ant (genus Camponotus)

Across island ecosystems, insects and other invertebrates perform a wide range of ecological roles, from nutrient cycling and pollination to supporting soils and food webs. They also provide food for other wildlife, helping connect the many species that make up a balanced island ecosystem.

On Santa Rosa Island, even tiny species help keep the ecosystem moving.





Image Description: A close-up view of small insects and natural debris on sandy soil near island vegetation.

Marine Debris Monday highlights the hands-on work it takes to protect island coastlines.Marine debris can reach remote b...
09/22/2026

Marine Debris Monday highlights the hands-on work it takes to protect island coastlines.

Marine debris can reach remote beaches from local and distant sources, carried by waterways, storms, and ocean currents. Removing items like netting, rope, plastic, and other materials helps reduce hazards for wildlife and supports healthier coastal habitats.

Cleanup work often requires teamwork, careful handling, and planning, especially on remote island shorelines.





Image Description: Field team members collecting and organizing marine debris along a sandy beach below coastal bluffs.

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1 University Drive
Camarillo, CA
93012

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+18054371653

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