National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Deputy Under Secretary Scott Gudes and other federal, state, and local officials will be on hand at a June 25, 2002 ceremony celebrating the release of four juvenile bald eagles from a high ridge on Santa Cruz at Channel Islands National Park. A ceremony will take place on the prior to the release. Shortly after the ceremony, the door to the holding towers will be opened, allowing the birds to take flight.
When: On June 25, meet at 7:30 a.m. at Channel Islands National Park, 1901 Spinnaker Drive in Ventura, at the front of the park headquarters. Transportation to Santa Cruz will be provided by the National Park Service vessel Ocean Ranger. The boat to the will leave promptly at 8 a.m.
Where: The vessel will dock at Santa Cruz where participants will ascend a short ladder to the dock. On the vehicles will take participants to the location of the ceremony, about a half hour-drive on a well graded dirt road. The informal ceremony will begin at about 11 a.m. Media will then be driven closer to the release point where they will be able to photograph the eagles. The release will take place about 12 noon. The boat will depart the at 2 p.m and return to Ventura at 4 p.m.
What to bring: Casual layered clothing, plenty of liquids, and trail shoes. A lunch will be provided.
Space on the National Park Service vessel is limited. If you want a spot on the boat, you must call Tom Dore at the National Park Service at 805/658-5733, by 5 p.m. on Friday, June 21. Directions to Channel Islands National Park: traveling south on Highway 101, turn off at Victoria exit, turn left, go south 3/4 mile to Olivas Park Drive. Turn right, and go to the end of the road.
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