In 1978, The Nature Conservancy entered into an agreement with Dr. Carey Stanton, the owner of 90% of Santa Cruz Island, whereby The Nature Conservancy would acquire full ownership of the island by the year 2008 or in the event of Dr. Stanton's death.
In 1985, Dr. Stanton, established the non-profit Santa Cruz Island Foundation. Its initial focus was the repository for Dr. Stanton's historically significant personal assets, and the maintenance of selected buildings on Santa Cruz Island in perpetuity as sites for cultural interpretation. Today the Santa Cruz Island Foundation promotes research on all of California's Channel Islands.
In 1986, a plan was drafted by Dr. Stanton and presented to The Nature Conservancy which outlined examples of areas to be considered for cultural preservation and interpretation. The examples included: The Chapel and surrounding area, lower winery, Phoenix House, Justinian House, the office complex and guest rooms and the land inside the wire fence around the Main Ranch. In addition, construction of a new caretakers residence outside of the fenced area of the main ranch was proposed.
On December 8, 1987, Carey Stanton died, and The Nature Conservancy assumed full ownership of the Santa Cruz Island Company holdings.
In 1989, at the request of The Nature Conservancy, the Santa Cruz Island Foundation installed an archaeology museum in Pete's House, a small building on the Main Ranch on Santa Cruz Island. The exhibits outline 7500 years of Chumash Indian occupation on Santa Cruz Island.
In 1991, with the permission of The Nature Conservancy, the Foundation restored La Capilla de la Santa Cruz del Rosario on Santa Cruz Island in time for its centennial mass. Each year the Foundation holds a Catholic mass in the chapel to continue its consecration. Each year as many as 250 guests attend this event.
In 1993, the Foundation sponsored an interpretive museum on Santa Barbara Island. The museum allows visitors to the island to understand the history of the island as well as it's significant natural beauty. The museum is part of the National Park Service's Santa Barbara Island visitor area.
The Santa Rosa Chapter of the Santa Cruz Island Foundation was established in 1993 by members of the Vail, Vickers and More families to gather, protect, preserve and interpret the cultural and natural history of Santa Rosa Island. Santa Rosa Island is home to the last cattle ranching operation on the California Channel Islands. In 1986, the National Park Service acquired the island for inclusion in the Channel Islands National Park. Vail & Vickers will continue to operate its cattle ranch until 2011. At that time, 166 years of ranching tradition will come to an end.
In 1995, the Foundation sponsored the restoration of Campo del Norte. In 1950, Campo del Norte was constructed on the northeast quarter of Santa Cruz Island as a center for ranching activities on that part of the island.
It is the desire of the Santa Cruz Island Foundation to augment the operations of The Nature Conservancy, the National Park Service, the U.S. Navy and others to preserve the cultural and natural resources of the California Channel Islands.
For further information regarding the Santa Cruz Island Foundation or the history of the California Channel Islands email us or contact us at:
The Santa Cruz Island Foundation
1010 Anacapa Street
Santa Barbara, Ca. 93101
(805) 963-4949
Copyright 1996