A Unique Research Expedition

The largest of the Channel Islands became an ecology lab for fifteen MASS students during Spring Break. For their five-day excursion to Santa Cruz Island, the ninth graders brought biology background, curiosity and sleeping bags to a learning experience that is usually not available to high school students.

The 96 square miles of Santa Cruz Island are rare in their potential for research. Seventy-six percent of the land is privately owned by The Nature Conservancy and not open to the public for hiking or camping. The rest belongs to the National Park Service, who provides the public a chance to visit the island. It is available to hikers for day use.  Studies of the bald eagle, island foxes, and invasive fennel have drawn scientists from universities up and down the west coast. Laura Ruiz, a graduate of University of California, Santa Cruz (UCSC) and currently a biology teacher at MASS, first visited the island as an undergraduate on a research project. “I wanted my high school students to have the same kind of experience,” she said.

The group from MASS packed equipment and food and traveled into the privately owned valley area of Santa Cruz Island. They stayed at the University of California Reserve Field Station, one of the UC Natural Service Systems protected sites dedicated to research and learning. “They worked side by side with college researchers on a project studying the impact of fennel on the island’s native species. They hiked throughout the interior and over mountains to pristine beaches, they saw the ecological connections first hand,” says Ms. Ruiz. “It’s a safe island without dangerous animals. So our team had the freedom to study nature in places people usually don’t have access to.” 

The students appreciated the opportunity and the natural beauty of this special learning environment. Assisting the college researchers and the hikes across the nearly deserted island were the biggest hits. “We were surrounded by so many beautiful things that are rarely seen on a daily basis in Los Angeles,” reported ninth grader Ofelia Carrillo.  Silvia Lopez added “Ever since the trip I think differently about nature. Now I actually take care of my environment.”

The students shared their unique science experiences with every MASS biology class when they returned to campus.  Its effects could be long lasting. As Mirella Dumas said, “This will help my future…I might even pursue a career as a naturalist.”