I like the use of a horizon line, which could be converted to the ocean and conveys a global theme. Since the California Islands crosses political boundaries (U.S. and Mexico) and covers a large region, the curved earth surface works. Would you consider keeping that curved line with a stylized island in the center, and then try to incorporate stylized plants?
Super creative! I really like how you used outline of the ocean to also be an island! Like some of the others you are hitting the key elements such as islands, plants, wildlife that depend on them. These island do not have palm trees, and so that would need to be altered, but minor. The scrub jay would need minor detail to make it identifiable as a jay, which is endemic to the islands. The plant in the lower left-hand corner is great, but the style does not fit with the others. I don't mean to remove it per say, but maybe tie it in with the others if possible.