Channel Islands National Park Native Plant Garden
Channel Islands National Park Native Plant Garden is located at the front of the visitor
center in the Ventura Harbor. It was established in 1993 as an educational garden representing all five of the Channel Islands.
Approximately 125,000 people visit each year and tour the garden, including 3,000 school children. Educational handouts are available to families and students with questions related to the native plants and their value in our ecosystem.
The highest goal of this garden, as with the entire National Park System, is educating
the public. This garden showcases plants native to both the California mainland and the
Channel Islands. Many of the plants in this garden are island endemic’s, which means
they exist nowhere else on the planet.
Our primary goal in this garden is to maintain an accurate representation of the various
island plant communities. Maintenance of these communities involves basic garden
practices such, weeding, pruning and of course watering.
Objectives:
• Provide educational opportunities related to Native Gardening.
• To promote installing native plants in the home landscape.
• Develop a comprehensive list of plants native to the Channel Islands.
• To promote and demonstrate UC science-based gardening practices.
Activities:
• Perform regular gardening practices, including weeding, cleaning, deadheading,
planting as needed.
• Seed collection, propagation, plant community restoration, irrigation and repairs as
needed.
• Have fun gardening with friends.
Volunteer Workday:
Thursday – 9:00 am to 12:00 noon
Channel Islands National Park Native Plant Garden Website