Restoring Habitat in an Agricultural System on Catalina Island · Restoring Habitat in an...

Restoring Habitat in an Restoring Habitat in an

Agricultural System on Agricultural System on

Catalina IslandCatalina Island

Carlos de la Rosa & Shane BarrowCarlos de la Rosa & Shane BarrowCatalina Island ConservancyCatalina Island Conservancy

NCER Conference, Los AngelesNCER Conference, Los Angeles24 July 200924 July 2009

About This Presentation

• Overview of Catalina Island’s history of agricultural and other uses

• Review two recent restoration and adaptive management examples that deal with this management examples that deal with this history

• A discussion on ecosystem restoration and natural and cultural resource protection in a complex socioeconomic setting

•“…to be a responsible steward of its lands through a balance of conservation,

education and recreation.”

Santa Catalina Island, Southern California

Santa Catalina Island, Southern California

• 48,000 acres, 26 miles long, 8 miles wide

Basic Statistics

8 miles wide

• Three land owners

– Catalina Island Conservancy (88%) (Land Trust)

– Santa Catalina Island Company (11%) (Private, for-profit corp.)

– City of Avalon (1%) (Incorporated city, LA County)

• Close to 1.0 million visitors per year

Santa Catalina Island, Southern California

Basic Statistics

• Approximately 4,500 year-round residents

• Mediterranean climate, numerous rare and endemic species (~50), long history of occupation (7,000 years plus), multiple uses, many environmental issues

Catalina Island Timeline

• 7,000 years ago (or more) -Native Americans arrive to Catalina Island.

• 1562 – Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo “discovers” the Island. Calls it San Island. Calls it San Salvador.

• 1602 – Sebastian Vizcaíno revisits the Island. Renames it Santa Catalina.

• 1820 – last Native Americans removed from the Island (becoming part of the Gabrielinos).

Catalina Island Timeline cont.

• 1846-1850 – First ranch established on the Island. Goats introduced.

• 1849 – Gold rush in • 1849 – Gold rush in California. By 1863 prospectors mine silver and other minerals.

• 1850s – Sheep introduced to the Island.

Catalina Island Timeline cont.

• 1852 – California becomes part of the Union.

• 1864 – Union soldiers arrive to the Island. Leave later that year after helping later that year after helping to evict squatters and sheep herders.

• 1887 – Several grants and leases for cattle and sheep.

Catalina Island Timeline cont.

• 1880s – vacationers discover Catalina. Island life will never be the same.

• 1887 – George Shatto • 1887 – George Shatto founds Avalon.

• 1892 – Banning Brothers purchase the Island and form the Santa Catalina Island Company.

Avalon 1883

Catalina Island Timeline cont.

• 1894 – Eagles Nest

Lodge built near

Middle Ranch.

• 1919 – William • 1919 – William

Wrigley Jr. Acquires

the Island Company.

• 1924 – Bison

introduced to the

Island.

Catalina Island Timeline cont.

• 1930s – Pigs introduced (to control rattlesnakes) and deer (for hunting).

• 1940’s – Deer control measures begin.

• 1956 – Feral goat controls • 1956 – Feral goat controls begin.

• 1972 – Catalina Island Conservancy established.

• 1973 – Black buck antelope introduced (2 females and 1 male).

•“…to be a responsible steward of its lands through a balance of conservation,

education and recreation.”

Catalina Island Timeline cont.

• 1975 – The Conservancy receives ownership of 88% of the Island.

• 1979 – Wild turkeys introduced. Other species too (pheasant, chukka and peafowl).chukka and peafowl).

• 1990 – Conservancy begins eradication of goats and pigs.2002-04 – Conservancy begins bison & mule deer management.

• 2004 – Conservancy begins invasive plant removal.

• 2005 – Next to last pig removed from the Island.

Today• The effects of these varied

and wide-ranging land uses are still felt today.

• Resolved Issues:

– Many non-native animals removed (pigs, goats, cattle)

– First decade of long term investment on invasive plants control & eradication

– Well-established education and recreation programs

Today• Pending and In-Progress

Issues:

– Several non-native animals

under management or

planning (bison, mule deer, planning (bison, mule deer,

feral cats)

– Other non-native animals

(rats, starlings, bullfrogs,

occasional raccoon) under

consideration

Today• Pending and In-

Progress Issues (cont.):

– A number of non-

native and invasive

plants under

plants under

management or control

– Fire Management

Two Examples

1. Invasive Plants

Management

(ecosystem-level

restoration)restoration)

2. Bison Management

(species-specific

issue)

Island-wide Weed Inventory

Watershed Management Units

Toyon Canyon

7 0 7 Kilometers

N

EW

S

Top Down Approach

Toyon Canyon 2008

Toyon Canyon 2009

Toyon Canyon 2010

Toyon Canyon 2011

Toyon Canyon 2012 & on

Watershed approach

The only time we alter that approach is to:

•• Prevent new species introductions;Prevent new species introductions;

•• Eradicate incipient species before they become Eradicate incipient species before they become •• Eradicate incipient species before they become Eradicate incipient species before they become

widespread and costly to manage;widespread and costly to manage;

•• Treat widespread species at sites of high conservation Treat widespread species at sites of high conservation

value;value;

•• Eliminate or reduce the spread along dispersal Eliminate or reduce the spread along dispersal

corridors (down the road, in a sense).corridors (down the road, in a sense).

Non-Native Animals

The Bison Story• Why do we still have bison on

the Island?– Iconic species, for the US as

well as for the Island

– Tourism draw

– Mild environmental benefits (introduced annual grasses, fennel)

– Allows us access to ag. funding to do some of these things and much more

– No, we don’t eat our bison (but we did in the past)

What are we doing about it?

• Managing for population

reduction, health, genetics

• Reduction of impact to

sensitive habitats (exclusion, sensitive habitats (exclusion,

fencing)

• Maximize exposure to visitors

• Restore impacted areas

Scope of Ecosystem Restoration

• Socioeconomic context

• Political will and knowledge

• Cultural & historic

background

• Creation of an updated system • Creation of an updated system

of values & benefits

In Summary

• We use a multiple strategy approach that includes:– Eradication & Control

– Active & Passive RestorationRestoration

– Strict protection and enhancement

– Strong community and stakeholder involvement

– Short-term successes & long-term goals

– Sustainability and Eco-culture creation

Conclusions

• Restoration is complex, involving ecology and resource assessment, as well as economic, social and political elements.

• We use Adaptive • We use Adaptive Management to address past and present issues.

• We try to integrate the communities (stakeholders) in the decision-making process.

Acknowledgements

Funding Support:

• Natural Resource Conservation Service

• California Dept. Food and Agriculture

• Coastal Conservancy

• American Conservation Experience

• National Fish and Wildlife Foundation• National Fish and Wildlife Foundation

• The Seaver Institute

• U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

• Wildlife Conservation Board

• Wrigley Fund

• Catalina Island Conservancy Staff, Interns and Volunteers

Thank You!Thank You!

Questions?Questions?