Catalina Island Conservancy

For many students, nature has always felt just out of reach but the Catalina Overnight Experience is changing that! This program gives young explorers the chance to see Catalina Island as their own backyard, a place where they feel welcome, connected and at home in the wild. On these immersive trips students trade city streets for dirt trails, swap screens for ocean views and experience the excitement of spotting local wildlife up close! Hiking through Catalina’s wildlands, they learn about conservation, camp under the stars and begin to understand their role in protecting our environment. For many this is their first boat ride, their first night outdoors and their first time realizing that adventure is within reach. The Catalina Overnight Experience is an introduction to a new perspective, sparking curiosity, inspiring stewardship and opening doors to future careers in science, conservation and beyond. Read more about the program here https://lnkd.in/ghzNNbZY ??? #catalinaconservancy #outdooradventures #NatureForAll #exploremore #exploremoreoutdoors #catalina #catalinaisland

Meet Evan Sutherland! For 45 years, Evan has been an integral part of the Conservancy, dedicating his life to Catalina Island's conservation. His journey started at just 13 years old when he got a work permit from his principal to bale hay. Now, as our facilities and vehicle fleet senior manager, he continues to keep things running behind the scenes. Born and raised on Catalina Island, Evan still lives in the home he’s lived in his entire life—right in the heart of Middle Ranch. His dedication to Catalina Island is unmatched, and we couldn’t be more grateful for his commitment and hard work. Thank you, Evan, for everything you do! #CatalinaConservancy #wildlifeconservation #ConservationHero #catalinaisland

We are in the midst of the sixth mass extinction, with species disappearing 100 to 1,000 times faster than the natural rate due to habitat loss, climate change, pollution and human activity. But there’s hope! Conservation efforts worldwide are making a difference and Catalina Island is part of the solution! What’s working? Protecting Habitats – Preserving land for native plants and wildlife ensures species survival. Restoring Ecosystems – Removing invasive species and reintroducing native plants rebuilds balance. Conservation Science – Research helps us understand and tackle biodiversity loss. Community Action – Local and global efforts, like those on Catalina Island, show how individuals can make an impact. Catalina’s wild spaces and species depend on conservation efforts like these! Join us in making a difference. Read the full article now https://lnkd.in/g_6QDBr3 And if you’re not already a member, sign up today to receive the Conservancy Times FREE biannual magazine and stay informed on how you can help Catalina Island stay resilient against climate change. #catalinaconservancy #ConservationMatters #protectwildlife #6thmassextinction #catalinaisland #extinction

Catalina’s island oak (Quercus tomentella) is a statement on the Channel Islands. Bigger than the island scrub oak, with fuzzy leaves (hence tomentella) and found mainly in Gallagher and Fern Canyons. But here’s the twist: these rare oaks face a tough road ahead under current climate projections. ??? What can we do? Recent research from Penn State, UCLA and The Nature Conservancy, with support from Catalina Island Conservancy, reveals that simply letting these oaks "tough it out" won’t be enough. Instead, assisted migration—boosting genetic diversity by introducing island oaks from other islands—could be the key to their survival in a changing climate. Key Findings ? Catalina’s island oaks are most genetically similar to San Clemente’s, while Santa Rosa’s are the most distinct. ? Our oaks could actually be strong candidates for transplanting to other islands. ? Without action, their future isn’t looking great, but we have the tools to help. This research is a game-changer for conservation strategies, showing how we can use genetics, climate science and a little hands-on help to secure a future for these iconic trees. Want to learn more about our conservation efforts? Follow us and stay tuned. Mead, Fitz-Gibbon, Knapp & Sork. 2024. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/g7Ks7UtM #IslandOaks #CatalinaConservancy #WildlifeConservation #ClimateAction #ChannelIslands

We’re proud to highlight the hard work of Conservation Corps of Long Beach (CCLB) member who play and vital role in supporting our Island restoration and maintenance projects. Since 2022, their dedication has helped drive important efforts in fire mitigation, erosion control, trail maintenance, native plant nursery operations and wild seed collecting. For the last two weeks, they have been working tirelessly on Stage Road to remove flax-leaf broom (genista linifolia), and together we successfully cleared 12,685 plants. A huge thank you to CCLB for their hard work and commitment to conservation!

For FOX SAKE, let's party! ???? Get ready for an unforgettable night on Saturday, April 26, at the iconic Catalina Island Casino for the 29th Annual Catalina Island Conservancy Ball. This year’s event highlights the Catalina Island fox, a species brought back from the brink of extinction through dedicated conservation efforts. While its recovery is a success story, continued habitat protection and our fox monitoring program is critical to its future. Our black-tie event is sure to be an enchanting evening filled with live music, delectable dining and the thrill of a live auction featuring exclusive items and experiences. It promises to not only to be a celebration of conservation efforts but also a powerful opportunity to make a lasting impact on the future of Catalina Island. Special pricing tickets are LIVE, so grab yours now through the link ??? https://lnkd.in/g3UUq87U

The chaparral ecosystem is vital to California's natural heritage, providing essential services such as watershed protection, climate moderation and recreational opportunities. It is also home to a rich diversity of plant and animal species, many unique to this habitat. However, chaparral faces significant threats from human activities and environmental changes. On Catalina Island, less than 50% of our landscape remains covered by chaparral, a number that continues to decline. At one point, nearly all of the Island was covered in chaparral, and with invasive species under control, we can restore its biodiversity. The recent NPR article highlights the misconception that removing chaparral reduces fire risk - when it is the opposite. When chaparral is removed, it is replaced by invasive annual grasses, which increase fire frequency. Through conservation efforts, research and public education, we aim to ensure this vital ecosystem continues to thrive for generations. Learn more about our work and how you can get involved in preserving the chaparral by visiting our website or reading the article for yourself in our bio! #npr #nativeplants #conservation #catalinaisland #catalina #wildfire NPR

Before we hit the trail, let’s honor those who made it possible. This #BlackHistoryMonth, we’re giving a shoutout to five Black pioneers who shaped conservation, environmental justice and outdoor recreation. ???Dr. George Washington Carver?– Crop rotation king. Taught farmers how to keep soil and communities thriving. ???Dr. Robert Bullard?– Fought environmental racism and proved that justice and conservation go hand in hand. ????Rue Mapp?– Founder of Outdoor Afro, reconnecting Black communities with nature one epic hike at a time. ???Charles Young?– The first Black superintendent of a national park, making history at Sequoia in 1903. ???Shelton Johnson?– Dedicated his career to keeping the Buffalo Soldiers’ national park legacy alive. They fought for land, justice and adventure—and we get to enjoy the trails they helped clear. #CatalinaIsland #BlackHistoryMonth #NatureForAll #Trailblazers

At times, climate change often feels distant, disconnected even, from our daily lives. But on Catalina Island and across California, its effects are vividly apparent with a whiplash effect of record rains one season and searing heat the next. Following two years of wet winters, we are now experiencing a season with few major rain events. The growth from the previous years has fueled the devastating Palisades and Eaton Fires. The loss of lives, homes, wildlife and cherished natural spaces weighs heavily on our shared sense of community. Though no amount of planning could fully withstand a firestorm driven by hurricane-force winds, the Catalina Island Conservancy continues to prepare for wildfire through strategic collaboration. As the steward of 88% of the Island's roughly 48,000 acres, we partner with the Los Angeles County Fire Department, Avalon City Fire, elected officials, camp and cove lessees, and Southern California Edison to implement proactive measures. Here are just some of the efforts we do year-round: Guardians of the Interior: Our rangers are on the front lines, reporting any signs of fire to Los Angeles County authorities. Firefighter Training: Eleven Conservancy staff, including rangers, are trained as wildland firefighters, equipped with protective gear to assist Los Angeles County Fire in case of an emergency. Critical Resources: We lend support to the county with access to backhoes, bulldozers, water supply tanks and water trucks to support fire crews if needed. Brush Clearance: In 2024, over 700 acres of brush were cleared from the Island interior. Roads That Protect: Last year, we improved more than 350 miles of roads, which serve as firebreaks and ensure access for firefighting crews. Defensible Spaces: Campgrounds and coves on Conservancy-leased land meet county requirements for cleared buffer zones to reduce wildfire risk. Strategic Partnerships: For over a decade, we’ve collaborated with the Conservation Corps of Long Beach to enhance fire mitigation, erosion control, trail maintenance and habitat restoration. Invasive Species Removal: More than 150 acres of flammable invasive plants were treated. Public Messaging: Community outreach with visitors and members will soon emphasize fire risk awareness and safety for the Island’s interior. You can read our full statement in the link: https://lnkd.in/dfs8pdAK

Invasive plants like flax-leaf broom and pampas grass don’t just cause problems—they create a cycle. To understand how it works, think of it like a bad habit: the more it happens, the harder it is to break. After a fire, invasives grow back fast, like weeds in a garden, crowding out the slower-growing native plants. These invasives are dangerously flammable, so they make it easier for the next fire to spread. That fire clears the way for even more invasives to take over. This cycle is called a positive feedback loop. It feeds itself, making it harder and harder to stop over time. Take flax-leaf broom (Genista linifolia) for example. This plant is a pro at shedding leaves and creating fuel. Last week, our conservation team worked hard and removed them from over three acres around Upper Cottonwood Canyon. Then there’s pampas-grass, a flammable invader you’ve probably seen along the hillsides on Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu. While it can be found in the city of Avalon, we’re keeping it out of Catalina’s interior. Our team recently spent the day in Nolava Canyon doing treatments to keep it in line with our Conservation prevention protocols. Why does this matter? Unlike invasives, native plants are resilient. They reduce fire intervals and help the Island recover after a blaze. But they take longer to grow back, giving invasives an unfair advantage. Breaking this cycle is essential to protecting Catalina’s unique ecosystems. Every invasive removed is a step toward stopping the loop and keeping the Island fire-resilient ?? #CatalinaIslandConservancy #FirePrevention #ResilientLandscapes #invasiveplants #invasivespecies #invasivespeciesremoval #invasivespeciesawareness #invasivespeciesmanagement