Heirs of the locally renowned Hollister family—one of the region’s first ranching families—have donated their sole remaining property to the Channel Islands Marine and Wildlife Institute.
In May, the family recorded a gift deed for the historic Vista Del Mar Union School property on U.S. Highway 101 between Goleta and Santa Barbara. The Channel Islands Marine and Wildlife Institute is dedicated to protecting the local environment through marine mammal rescue, rehabilitation, research, and community education.
According to a statement from institute representatives, this gift will provide the organization with a permanent home. The 2.8-acre site will be transformed into a world-class facility with classrooms, support buildings, and outdoor rehabilitation enclosures with pools. Indoor facilities will include a hospital/quarantine room, laboratory, pharmacy, and surgery/treatment room. The institute is also planning to construction research facilities, administrative offices, and education space.
On July 8, the institute held a special ceremony at Chuck’s Waterfront Grill in Santa Barbara to make a formal announcement.
“The Hollister heirs believe Channel Islands Marine and Wildlife Institute is the perfect fit for the Vista Del Mar Union School property,” John James (J.J.) Hollister III said on behalf of the family. “Over the past seven years, its founders and volunteers have saved the property from further deterioration, maintained the facilities, and begun work on restoring the buildings.”
Sam Dover, the institute’s executive director and chief veterinarian, said the donation is “monumental for Channel Islands Marine and Wildlife Institute.”
The institute is a part of the Marine Mammal Health and Stranding Response Program under the direction of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. It’s the only authorized organization to respond to and rehabilitate seals, sea lions, dolphins, porpoises, and whales in all of Ventura County.
This article appears in Jul 14-21, 2011.