My Park Story: Leslie Magana

Leslie Magana

I visited Channel Islands National Park for the first time in 2017 on a 2 nights/3 days trip with my school group from California State University, Channel Islands. We stayed at the Research Station on Santa Rosa Island, during the day we went hiking and did a beach clean up, and at night we walked to the pier to enjoy the starry night, it was a new moon night so it was perfect for stargazing.

Since 2017, I have returned various times to Santa Cruz Island, Santa Rosa Island and Anacapa Island on personal trips, but also to lead school groups as part of my work with the MERITO (Multicultural Education for Resources Issues Threatening Oceans) Foundation. There hasn’t been one trip that isn’t fantastic. The islands are just so special that I learn something new every time.

I wish for everyone to visit them at least once, it will change your perspective of our local environment.