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Contact: Yvonne Menard, 805-658-5725 Channel Islands National Park invites youth to become Junior Ranger Underwater Explorers and to take a virtual dive in the kelp forest via Channel Islands Live. Recently, nine year-old Tigran Nahabedian was sworn in as the park's first Junior Ranger Underwater Explorer. Nahabedian adds this new distinction to his collection of junior ranger badges from 27 national parks including Lassen, Death Valley, Oregon Caves, and Yellowstone. Nahabedian said, "Channel Islands National Park is still my favorite since it has so many seabirds and great snorkeling." Nahabedian resides with his family in Ojai and has had an interest in wildlife and science from an early age. He began participating in the Channel Islands National Park Island Junior Ranger Program during a visit to Santa Cruz Island to view seabirds and foxes when he was only five years old. Nahabedian "dove in" as quickly as he could when the new Underwater Explorer Junior Ranger Program became available. He found the booklet online and completed it before Channel Islands National Park Ranger Kelly Moore was able to provide him the printed version. Eager to be as involved with national parks, Nahabedian asked Ranger Moore, "How many junior ranger badges do I need before I become a real ranger?" The experiences Nahabedian has had in the national parks and through his participation in the Junior Ranger Program have fueled his passion for science and the outdoors. He encourages other kids to become involved as well. Many national parks have their own Junior Ranger Programs. There are also themed programs like Underwater Explorers that focus on specific topics including paleontology, astronomy, wilderness, and the underground railway. Youth can also visit national parks virtually by participating online via the Web Rangers Program. Channel Islands Live Dive programs are broadcast in real time from underwater fourteen miles offshore from Anacapa Island to the Internet and to the park's mainland Robert J. Lagomarsino Visitor Center in Ventura Harbor. Programs are scheduled every Wednesday through Labor Day at 11:30 am and 2:00 pm PT. To learn more about Junior Ranger Underwater Explorer: Junior Ranger Underwater Explorer To learn more about other NPS Junior Ranger programs: To experience Channel Islands Live Dive programs: This publication is available online at: |
Last updated: February 28, 2015