Saving Catalina’s Natives · 2012-12-30 · Introduced to Catalina in the 1920s as landscaping material for the old Saint Catherine’s Hotel in Avalon, Flax-leaf broom spread to

A PUBLICATION OF THE

CATALINA ISLAND CONSERVANCY

Winter 2005

The mission of the

Catalina Island Conservancy

is to be a responsible steward

of its lands through a balance

of conservation, education

and recreation.

I N S I D E . . .

FROM THE PRESIDENT 2

CONSERVATION NEWS 4

FACES AND PLACES 7

MAKING TREASURES VISIBLE 9

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES/CALENDAR 14

REGI INTERNS EXPLORE 16

BOONE’S CATALINA LEGACY 18

DONOR APPRECIATION 20

ABOUT OUR MEMBERS 21

LEADERSHIP CIRCLE/GIFT

MEMBERSHIP 23

NATURE’S NOTEBOOK 24

Saving Catal ina’s Natives

A monumental effort to mapnative plant communities anderadicate destructive invasiveplants seeks to ensure a wildCatalina for years to come.

t first glance, John Knapp seemslike a regular guy. Dressed in bluejeans and a comfortable button-up

shirt, he sits at his computer terminalsipping coffee while entering data—normalenough. Upon further investigation, however,John’s eclecticism becomes exceedinglyclear: The 30-something-year-old burnedout three pairs of hiking boots walking450 miles, boating 52 miles, and driving150 miles in six months on a search-and-destroy mission for weeds. “…Betterknown as ‘invasive plants,’” clarifies thecareer botanist and self-proclaimed weedwarrior. The sojourn resulted in, amongother things, the mapping of 35,000populations of 76 invasive plant specieson Catalina Island.

John, the Invasive Plant ProgramManager for the Catalina IslandConservancy, along with Denise Knapp,Plant Ecologist, are the duo who form thecore of the Conservancy’s efforts to controlpesky invasive plants that pose a threatto natives (John), and, to locate andprotect rare and native plants (Denise)—a kind of Terminator-meets-Mother-Teresa partnership.

While the two use entirely differentapproaches, both are passionate aboutthe survival of native plants, and arequick to make the connection betweennative habitats and the fate of nativeanimals. “There are at least 14 species orsubspecies of plants and animals that areendemic, found only here on Catalina

Island,” Denise begins, adding that the14 does not include endemic insects andother invertebrates that call the Islandhome, and about which very little is known.

“Besides being unique unto themselves,our plant communities provide thehabitats that support Catalina’s endemicanimals, like the Catalina Island fox,

federally listed as an Endangered Specieslast March,” she notes. “Protecting adiversity of native habitat in turn protectsnative animals,” she concludes, finishing outthe list of six Catalina endemic animals

Continued on page 3

Denise and John Knapp

A

s you’ll seeon thepages that

follow, theConservancyTimes has a newlook as well as a

new section. The publication’s updatedlook, using a streamlined design and fullcolor, is one that we hope you’ll agreereflects the vitality of today’s CatalinaIsland Conservancy—an organizationthat, building on the tremendous successesof its past, is undergoing a revitalizationto better serve the lands it stewards andthe constituencies who enjoy and cherishthose lands. “Conservation News”will provide, in the form of news briefs,not only more information aboutConservancy initiatives, but also, awindow on what’s happening in theConservation world in parallel withour efforts on Catalina.

This year, the Conservancy undertook arigorous strategic planning and visioningprocess during which it clarified itsmission, identified a compelling visiontoward which it will strive, and enunciatedfactors that will be critical to its success.During this process, the Conservancy’sstaff identified those efforts that will bemost critical to meeting the organization’smission, and structured budgets insupport of those efforts—all of whichaim to keep the Island healthy and wildfor today, and for future generationsto enjoy.

In parallel with this strategic planningand visioning process, the Conservancycommitted to strengthening its relationshipwith the Island community, and toward that end, integrated community members

into its decision-making process. The Windward Beaches Working Group wasthe first Community-Conservancy teamconvened. The Group met five times inthe fall, the outcome being both acomprehensive plan for the WindwardBeaches and an experience that washighly enriching for Conservancy staff and,by their accounts, for participants from thebroader Island community as well (seestory, page 6). The process served as modelfor the kind of community-based conser-vation planning to which the Conservancyis committed.

This year marked the successful completionand initiation of a number of projectsyou’ll read about in this issue ofConservancy Times, and which will beelucidated in future issues. It has beena year of completions, beginnings andgrowth made possible by a dedicatedstaff, board, and volunteer corps, theparticipation of the Island Community,and the continued support of donors tothe Conservancy—to all of whom I ampersonally grateful.

We thank you for all the ways you’veparticipated this year in strengtheningand reinvigorating our organization.We further hope you’ll enjoy our newConservancy Times, which aims to capture this new vitality that willfuel our aspirations and goals forconservation, education and accessin 2005.

Sincerely yours,

Ann M. Muscat

President and Chief Executive Officer

with: the rare Catalina Island shrew,Catalina Bewick’s wren, Catalina quail,the Catalina Island deer mouse andharvest mouse (see also Catalina endemicplants, “Nowhere Else on Earth,” page 13,and pictured within this story).

Native Diversity: A Top Challenge

Protecting and restoring native diversityis one of the Conservancy’s greatest chal-lenges, and one that involves many strategies.The effort requires working with the bestavailable knowledge, consulting withother experts, learning from conservationsuccesses and failures elsewhere in theworld, and partnering with Island residentsand visitors. It all starts with takinginventory. “Before restoration can occur,we need to understand what we’re tryingto protect, and what the threats or limitationsfacing the resource are,” notes Denise.

In his ambitious travels, John uses ahand-held Global Positioning System toinventory plants and pinpoint locations.When transferred to a ConservationDepartment computer running specialsoftware, the data generates maps that thetwo Knapps use in their complementaryroles. The inventory process may include

aerial photography, on-the-groundobservation, and technical mapping.Intermittently, the ConservationDepartment staff has aerial photographstaken so they can visually comparechanges in Island vegetation. For on-the-ground observation and technical mappingof invasive plants, John’s the man. In fact,those two tasks were what consumedthe lion’s share of John’s time along his650-mile journey.

Inventorying plants and the habitats theyform creates a baseline to start from that needs to be continuously updated. “Field

surveys and inventory are time consuming,”notes Denise. “Complicating the matter,the landscape is always changing.” Theprocess is kind of like the endless cycleof washing the windows of a 20-storybuilding: just when you thought youwere done, it’s time to start all over.

Targeting Threats

Identifying “threats and limitations” tonative species, part two of the protectionprocess, is equally challenging. Thisrequires ongoing field experiments andclose observation to determine exactlywhy a native is not flourishing. Theprocess of identifying threats and limitations works similarly for plantsand animals.

As an example, while it was recognizedin the late 1990s that the population of

Catalina Island foxes was declining, thecause was not immediately known. It wasthis process of detecting threats andlimitations through observation andtesting that finally determined the causeof the decline to be canine distempervirus. This discovery ultimately led to arecovery program that has boosted thefox population to a level that can nowsustain itself. Observation and testingthat eliminates or illuminates possiblecauses of decline is how threats andlimitations are identified.

COVER STORY • 3

Conservancy Times – Winter 2005

Saving Catal ina’s Natives (continued from page 1)


From the President

Continued on page 12

Benefactor MembersRobert Given

Paxson H. OffieldAlison Wrigley Rusack

Board of DirectorsGeoffrey Rusack, Chair

Marie Knowles, Vice ChairClifford HagueRichard Harp

Charles HathawayRobert Meistrell

Ann MuscatCalvin ParsonsMaria Pellegrini

Ada Blanche Schriener

Executive TeamAnn Muscat

President/Chief Executive OfficerMel Dinkel

Chief Operating Officer/TreasurerLeslie Baer

Chief Communications OfficerJackie McDougall

Chief Development Officer

Department HeadsLenny Altherr

Director, Facilities ManagementKaren Berkheimer

Director, Visitor and Volunteer ServicesSteve Dawes

Supervisor, Special ProjectsMark Hoefs

Director & Curator, Wrigley Memorialand Botanical Garden

Paul MoritzDirector, Airport Operations

Jane PulsinelliAssistant TreasurerCharles Wright

Director, Development

Contact Us(562) 437-8555 x221

[email protected]

Editors: Leslie Baer, Diane Conoverand Betsey Binét

Production Manager: Jeanne McKayGraphic Redesign: 2BCommunications

Contributors, This IssueJamie Angus

Karen BerkheimerAmy Busch

Erica CushingDiane Conover

Deb JensenDenise KnappJohn KnappAnn Muscat

Peter SchuylerRich Zanelli

Chuck Wright

Introduced to Catalina in the 1920s as landscaping material for the old Saint Catherine’sHotel in Avalon, Flax-leaf broom spread to the interior of the Island where it flourishestoday, competing with Catalina natives like St. Catherine’s lace and Island scrub oak. Themap above shows the weed's current distribution throughout the Island. Green areas denotesparse populations; dark red areas illustrate heaviest growth.

Flax-leaf broom St. Catherine’s lace

NEW VITALITY, NEW LOOK

A

The

Conservancy Timesis a publication of the

Extinct Species Take Others with Them

More than 6,000 species of butterflies and other insects includingmites, fungi, and assorted unloved but important species will alsobe wiped out when listed endangered species go extinct, scientistsreported late this year.

“We estimate that 6,300 affiliate species are ‘co-endangered’ withhost species currently listed as endangered,” an international team ofresearchers wrote in their report, published in the journal Science.

“Up to 50 percent of species are predicted to be lost in the next 50years,” they added. “Current extinction estimates need to be recalibratedby taking species co-extinctions into account.”

The team of researchers from the National University of Singaporecompiled a list of 12,200 plants and animals currently listed asthreatened or endangered. They then looked at insects, mites, fungi,and other organisms that are uniquely adapted to some of thelisted species.

“What we found is that with the extinction of a bird or a mammal ora plant, you aren’t just necessarily wiping out just one, single species,”said Heather Proctor from the University of Alberta in Canada, whoalso worked on the study. “We’re also allowing all these unsungdependent species to be wiped out as well.”

For example, a vine that became locally extinct in Singapore tookalong with it a species of butterfly, Parantica aspasia, that wasdependent on the vine for survival.

“When we lose this vine, this beautiful butterfly dies off with it,and we’ll never see it again except in photographs at museums,”said Proctor.

“While co-extinction may not be the most important cause of speciesextinctions, it is certainly an insidious one,” the researchers added.

Source: Reuters, September 2004 (Excerpt)

CATALINA FACTCatalina Island is home to six animal species found nowhere else inthe world, including the Catalina Island fox, federally listed as an endangered species in March of this year (below left and oppositepage, bottom right.) The voracious Catalina Island shrew (below,right), another endemic, must eat every three hours or perish. It isunverified at this time how many species could be "co-endangered"with these and other rare Catalina Island endemic animals.

Two Island Endemics Near Extinction

Two plant species found only in the U.S. Virgin Islands are nearextinction according to the Tucson, Arizona-based Center for BiologicalDiversity. The plants are not yet under federal protection.

Fewer than 50 specimens of Agave eggersiana (below), an aloe-likeplant that grows up to 25 feet tall and has small pink flowers, are leftin the U.S. Virgin Island of St. Croix, said Peter Galvin, a spokesmanfor the Center. Fewer than 200 specimens of Solanum conocarpum(opposite, above right), a bushy plant with small purple and yellowflowers, remain on the island of St. John, Galvin reported.

NEWS BRIEFS • 5


4 • NEWS BRIEFS


CONSERVATION NEWSAROUND THE WORLD

The U.S. Virgin Islands National Park in St. John asked the U.S. Fish andWildlife Service to place both plants on the endangered species list in1996, according Rafe Boulon, chief resource manager for the park. Butpoor funding has resulted in a huge backlog of requests to add speciesto protection lists, according to Tom MacKenzie, spokesman for the Fishand Wildlife Service’s Atlanta office which oversees the southeasternUnited States and the U.S. Caribbean territories.

Recent legal action by the Center aims to break the logjam and speedthe two plant species toward federal protection. Said Galvin, “Theplants are so endangered that a hurricane could wipe them out, orstray goats and donkeys could eat them into extinction.”

Source: Mat Probasco, Associated Press, September 2004 (Excerpt)

CATALINA FACTThere are eight Catalina endemic plants – plants found only onCatalina Island. They include Catalina ironwood, Catalina mahogany,St. Catherine’s lace, yerba santa, Catalina live-forever, Catalina man-zanita, wild tomato and Catalina bedstraw. These and many otherrare plants and trees of the California Channel Islands and beyondcan be seen at the Catalina Island Conservancy’s Wrigley Memorialand Botanic Garden, open seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.Members of the Conservancy can receive free admission year round.See page 23 for details.

FROM THE CONSERVANCY

Speed Bumps Save FoxesLast year, six Catalina Island foxes fell prey to vehicles, largely alongthe stretch from Airport-in-the-Sky to Two Harbors. In March of thisyear, the rare Catalina endemic fox was federally listed as anendangered species.

In June, when wild fox pups start exploring, the Conservancy installedtwo temporary speed bumps along the perilous stretch, and theystayed in place through the end of the summer. The result was “nodeaths of foxes on the road during that time period,” reported MelDinkel, the Conservancy’s Chief Operating Officer. “We’re extremelyencouraged by the results,” he said.

In November, foxes raised in captivity as part of the Conservancy’s FoxRecovery Program were released into the wild. The Conservancy reinstalled the bright yellow plastic “bumps” just prior to the releaseswith the hope of preventing fox fatalities to traffic. Based on theencouraging results, the Conservancy plans to reinstall speed bumpsduring summers when pups become active.

“ER” Becomes Conservation Department

The Ecological Restoration Department of the Catalina Island Conservancy,known as “ER,” has a new name. The department, officially in placesince 1997, has been renamed the Conservation Department. ER hasfocused on restoring Catalina’s wild lands through the control of non-native plants and animals, the reintroduction of native plants, its FoxRecovery Program with its partner, The Institute for Wildlife Studies,and myriad related activities. The name change more accurately reflectsthe breadth of activities undertaken by the department and punctuatestheir alignment with the organization’s mission, ‘…to be a responsiblesteward of its lands through a balance of conservation, education andrecreation,’ said Ann Muscat, Conservancy President and CEO.

Parantica aspasia Agave eggersiana

Solanum conocarpum

Continued on page 6

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Catalina Island fox Catalina Island shrew

Catalina Island fox

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FACES AND PLACES • 7


AmeriCorps*National CivilianCommunity Corps (NCCC) hasprovided more than 11,000 hoursof volunteer support to theConservancy since 2001. Theongoing support of manyvolunteer groups from all overthe country helps the Conservancyaccomplish its mission of being aresponsible steward of CatalinaIsland through a balance ofconservation, education andrecreation. Here is a summaryof one member’s experience asan AmeriCorps*NCCC groupvolunteer for the CatalinaIsland Conservancy.

6:00 a.m.

he alarm sounds. Everyone moans.It takes a few moments to unzipthe sleeping bags and face the cold

that awaits us. A short walk to Haypressstarts the blood flowing. As Conservancyworkers drive down to Middle Ranch,they have to avoid

buffaloes, a few rocks, and tenAmeriCorps members traversing themighty hills that surround the LauraStein Volunteer Camp. We try to runfor twenty minutes to keep in shapewhen Jose Soto drives by with a boxfull of donuts.

It is quite a feat for ten people to getdressed, pack lunch, eat breakfast andclean up in an hour. But, if you were tocome and visit the Laura Stein VolunteerCamp at 7:00 a.m. Monday throughFriday, you would see that we have itdown to a science. We have even man-aged to find twenty extra minutes in themorning to collect ourselves and relax amoment before we head off to work.

A Day in the Life of an AmeriCorps Team Member

6 • NEWS BRIEFS


Working Group “Visions” WindwardBeaches, Drafts Recommendations

The Windward Beaches Working Group formed to first “vision” thenforge an ecological and recreational management plan for the wind-ward beaches to recommend to the Conservancy’s Board of Directors,had met five times during October, November and December asConservancy Times went to press. The group worked weekday eveningstackling planning for Ben Weston, Cottonwood, Shark Harbor and LittleHarbor beaches.

During the first meeting, the group of 36—including members ofthe broad Island community, Conservancy staff, Conservancy Boardmembers, a camper from the mainland and two planning andlandscape architecture graduate students—brainstormed what theywould like to see offered at the different beaches. The Working Groupagreed that each beach should offer a unique experience and that thefinal plan should reflect a diversity of experiences. The group came toconsensus quickly on Cottonwood, where they agreed that nothingshould be done, or close to it.

Opinions were more divided about the future of the other three beaches, where group members had different ideas about the presence, or not, of fire rings and toilets, and where and in what formcamping should be allowed. Still, overall, participants characterized themeetings as a positive step both for the future of the beaches and inbuilding a lasting working relationship between the Conservancy andthe broad Island community.

“It has felt like a good start,” offered J.J. Guion of Joe’s Rent-a-Boaton Avalon’s green Pleasure Pier. “It has been great to hear that somany of us had similar feelings about what they wanted for the beaches.”The second meeting focused exclusively on Ben Weston Beach. Themeeting produced 12 items of consensus that were then shared withthe broader Conservancy Staff, who agreed in principle with all of theitems. Staff created a list of additional items and submitted them tothe Working Group for consideration. By the third meeting, consensushad been reached on nearly 40 items spanning issues of access,interpretation and signage, restoration of disturbed areas, campingand parking.

“The meetings are good,” said Avalon City Council Member JohnRegalado. “They’re getting people involved and giving everyone amuch better understanding of what is really involved in theplanning process.”

Working Group recommendations will be presented for considerationto the Conservancy’s Board of Directors at a meeting in January, 2005,while in the meantime, permitting requirements are researched for thevarious options.

The Conservancy is grateful to each member of the WindwardBeaches Working Group for what Conservancy President Ann Muscatcharacterizes as “their extremely generous commitment of timeand spirit.”

The Catalina Island Conservancy Staff and Board of Directors wish to thankall the members of the working group for their dedication.

East End Opened to Mountain Bikes

CONSERVATION NEWS (continued from page 5)

FROM THE CONSERVANCY (continued)

Continued on page 8

Protecting Oaks During TrialOrange County Boy Scouts of America staffmembers, along with numerous groups andindividual volunteers, helped build 15 fenceexclosures for an Oak Limitation Trial.

Rest for the Weary Blue 8 Team,AmeriCorps*NCCC, rests after completinga brush-clearance project.

Internship Prepares Future EcologistsRosa Basil and Sandra Correa, staff withthe Los Angeles Conservation Corps, carrystakes for tree tubes as part of a two-week-long internship program in which sixurban youth gained experience withecological restoration at the Conservancy.This program was also sponsored by theCommunity Conservancy Internationaland the Bresee Foundation.

T

The Conservancy opened Renton Mine, East End and DivideRoads for mountain bike use. The roads had previously beenopened for recreational use to hikers only. At a Grand Opening eventOctober 24, Avalon Mayor Ralph Morrow (far left), CatalinaIsland Company Vice President of Real Estate Paul DeMyer(center left, kneeling) and Conservancy President Ann Muscat(second from left) cut the ribbon at the gate of Renton Mine Road.

The Windward Beaches Working Group brainstorms during thefirst of five meetings held in the fall.

BRIDGE TO THE FUTURE • 9


The largest grant in the history ofthe Catalina Island Conservancywill help bring more of CatalinaIsland’s natural and culturalriches to residents and visitors.

family strolls through a cool scruboak grove along a level, well-groomedpath in Catalina Island’s interior.

In Avalon, visitors and local residentsenjoy interactive exhibits at the newlyrefurbished Interpretive Center whilethey learn about the unique ecologyand conservation programs onCatalina Island.

In a comfortable meeting room, thirtyAvalon citizens, long-time visitors toCatalina, Conservancy staff and membersof the organization’s Board of Directorssit together creating a vision for theIsland’s Windward Beaches. They charthow outdoor enthusiasts will be able toenjoy a diversity of experiences, from adeveloped family campground at LittleHarbor to a “wild beach” experience atCottonwood.

These experiences and so many more arebeing made possible through a generousgrant from the Annenberg Foundation,known for its support of innovativecommunication and education initiatives.

The grant was awarded to the CatalinaIsland Conservancy as part of theFoundation’s first-year effort to fund conservation and environmental programs.

“This grant builds on the Foundation’straditional interest in communicationsand education, and brings those twopowerful forces together in support ofconservation ,” said Ann Muscat,Conservancy President and CEO. “We’reextremely grateful that the Foundationhas selected us as a partner in modelinginnovative communication and educa-tion strategies that raise public awarenessand deepen understanding of importantconservation issues.”

During the coming two years, funding fromthe grant will provide for a number ofprograms that will touch Island residentsand many of the more than one millionvisitors who come to the Island each year.

Programs Will Reach Out Locally, Nationally

Financed by the Annenberg grant, Las

Familias en La Naturaleza (“Familiesin Nature”) will begin with an 18-monthcampaign featuring enriching natureprograms. Weekly field trips, hikes, walksand workshops will offer opportunitiesto experience the Island’s wild interiorwith Spanish- and English-speakingnaturalists.

With Annenberg funding, the Conservancywill refurbish the Los Angeles CountyInterpretive Center with interactive andvisually pleasing exhibits and communityspaces “that excite learning and encourageexploration,” notes Muscat. A collaborativeeffort between the Conservancy and LosAngeles County Parks and Recreation,the new nature center expects to serveresidents and tens of thousands of visitorseach year. The Conservancy will partnerwith other educational organizations toprovide discovery activities that explorethe Island’s rich cultural history and thenatural world as it most directly impactsthe Catalina community.

Making Treasures Visible

8 • FACES AND PLACES

The Work

ur work began with theFacilities Department clearingbrush for two-and-a-half weeks.

We walked up and down many hills, luggingtrees and acquiring cuts and bruises. Itwas very exhausting work, but we enjoyedevery minute of it. Conservancy employeesJose, Brad, Angel, Ian, Mark and Vernonmade our days enjoyable and made uslaugh a lot. We missed them when theproject was finished, but we were luckyto wave to them daily.

We also helped at the nursery, workedwith Angela on the shrew traps, andrestored some trails. These jobs were notquite as strenuous as clearing brush, butwe learned a lot about the native plantson the Island and saw some amazingplaces we never would have seen as visitors. We acquired a lot of newknowledge and skills.

3:30 p.m.

he workday ends and we head backto camp. We quickly layer up andstart cooking. Dinner is eaten,

s’mores are made, and conversationoccurs all before 8:00 p.m., which hasbecome our bedtime. Our days are

packed full and end early, but they are themost rewarding days most of us have everhad. The Conservancy made our six-weektrip an amazing experience we will neverforget! But if you are truly interested inhow it feels to be a volunteer with theConservancy, stay a night at the Laura

Stein Volunteer Camp on a stormy night.That is the true test.

Contributed by Becky Mauk,Blue 8 Team MemberAmeriCorps*NCCC

A Day in the Life of an AmeriCorps Team Member (continued from page 7)

Continued on page 10

Generations Grandsons of summervolunteer Pat Klingensmith join her forone of her weekly trips to nurture nativeplants at the James H. Ackerman NativePlant Nursery.

The Call of Duty Employees Erica Cushing(Development) and Chris Crow (Accounting)demonstrate their commitment to theConservancy by volunteering on their dayoff to assist with the Oak Limitation Trial.

848 Shines Members of Boy Scouts of America Troop 848 from Ridgecrest proudly showoff their work.

Groups of eight or more

interested in experiencing

the great adventure

of volunteering in

the interior of the

Island should contact

Matthew Sutton at

(310) 510-2595 x109.

Individuals interested

in volunteering should

contact Linda Altherr

at x110.

“Familias” in Nature The Annenberg grant will make possible new nature programs delivered in both English and Spanish.

AT

O


BRIDGE TO THE FUTURE • 11


second meeting, held October 12, focusedspecifically on a vision for Ben WestonBeach and resulted in recommendationsto the Conservancy Board. (For more onthe Windward Beaches Working Group,see page 6.)

Cohesive Messages Will Fuel Public Awareness

Additionally, Annenberg funding hasmade possible forums that fostercollaboration between Catalina’shundreds of educators and touroperators. In the past, Island educatorsand tour operators have developedconservation messages in isolation—reinventing the wheel, at best, andat worst, delivering contradictoryinformation to a confused public.

“In these Tour Operators and EducatorsForums, we are developing a set of ‘coremessages’ about Island ecology thateveryone helps to create and agrees todeliver,” notes Muscat. “This way, wemake sure as a group that what is beingdelivered is accurate and that the messages are reinforced at the differentlocations visitors receive them.We feel that approaching this together isthe most effective way to advance under-standing of the Island’s natural andcultural heritage,” she concluded.

Besides providing funding for theTour Operator and Educator Forums,Annenberg monies will fuel publicawareness campaigns that forward anumber of conservation initiatives.One will promote healthier pets andwildlife, and another will promotecontrolling the impacts ofinvasive plants.

A Landmark Opportunity

Muscat characterizes the Annenberg grantas providing a “landmark opportunity”for the Conservancy to help make thetreasures of Catalina Island morevisible to those who live on the Island,those who visit, and beyond.

“Protecting Catalina Island is an incrediblybig job,” she notes. “To accomplish that,we needs the safety net of many, manypeople working together…people wholive here, those who do business here, andthe multitude of visitors who come to theIsland each year.

“The possibilities for partnerships andimagining new ways to work together toreach shared goals—like protecting ourbeaches, protecting our Island fox andother plants and animals found nowhereelse in the world—is extremely excitingto me.”

The Catalina Island Conservancy isextremely grateful for the generosity ofthe Annenberg Foundation, and looksforward to working with the Foundationto build a healthier future for CatalinaIsland and our Earth.

10 • BRIDGE TO THE FUTURE


Radio Series to ShareConservation Challenges and Successes

To recreationalists and scientists alike,Catalina Island is a jewel. While Catalinais a unique ecosystem, it is not alone inthe challenges it faces as an island inbalancing human use and conservation.With funding from the Annenberg grant,the successes and challenges of protectingand enjoying natural lands such as thoseon Catalina will be explored through aradio series targeted for public radionationwide. The sixty- to ninety-secondradio spot series will cover topics asdiverse as the challenges of access,environmental cleanup and remediation,and saving species.

“Catalina Island is a microcosm of theconservation issues that are of concern toall of us,” said Leslie Baer, ChiefCommunications Officer for theConservancy, who will be managingproduction of the broadcast series, which

will be called “Isla Earth” (“Island Earth”).“We believe that the efforts to protectendemic species and restore habitat,including what has worked and what hasn’t, will be of interest to people wholove nature across the United States.”

The series will be carried initially by ahandful of public radio stations servingSouthern California audiences and isexpected to expand to more than a dozenstations during its first year in operation,including those in the Central region andon the East Coast.

Web Upgrades to Provide New Ways to Explore

Use of the World Wide Web is skyrocketing,with more than 5,000 “surfers” each monthvisiting www.catalinaconservancy.org tolearn more about the unique ecology ofCatalina Island. The Web has become avenue for exploration using streamingvideo, online databases, webcams andother features that allow real-time andinteractive learning. With the help of

Annenberg funding, the Conservancy willupgrade its website in order to take fulladvantage of these new technologies,offering the public a range of optionsfor learning about conservation efforts,nature programs and opportunities forexperiencing Catalina’s wild lands.Featured will be engaging stories aboutconservation challenges and successeson Catalina Island and in the largerconservation world.

“Conservation Councils” Will Formalize CommunityParticipation

In recent years, Conservation organiza-tions worldwide have understood thatefforts to save native species and wildlands are sustainable when they are acollaboration with local community.Thanks to funding from this grant,“Conservation Councils,” made up ofCatalina Island residents and concernedothers as well as Conservancy staff, willmeet regularly to discuss importantconservation issues that impact qualityof life as well as the Island ecosystem.The Windward Beaches Working Group,formed in August of this year, is the firstexample of what the Conservancybelieves will be “a highly productive andpositive process for working together toensure that people will be able to enjoya healthy Catalina Island for years tocome,” says Ann Muscat, Conservancypresident.

The first meeting of the Working Group,held Tuesday, September 27, resulted inConservancy staff members and thirtymembers of the wider Island Communitytaking the first step toward creating a“vision” for the Island’s windward beaches,including Cottonwood, Ben Weston,Little Harbor and Shark Harbor. The

Making Treasures Visible ( cont inued)

Soon to Be Refurbished New exhibits at the Interpretive Center will make it fun toexplore the unique ecology of Catalina and learn more about the Conservancy’sconservation programs on the Island.

Wallis Annenberg, Vice President of the Annenberg Foundation Earlier this year,Wallis Annenberg enjoyed the beauty of Catalina Island with other members of theAnnenberg Foundation board. Through its support of the Conservancy, the AnnenbergFoundation is helping to make the treasures of Catalina visible to a broad audience.

12 • COVER STORY


“Limitation Trial” In Action

The Conservancy is currently implementinga large experimental trial to determinewhy oaks are not regenerating on theIsland at a rate that will sustain healthyoak habitat. On the Channel side of theIsland, a number of large, recently plantedplots are visible. Some are fenced, someare not; in some, invasive grasses havebeen left, and in others, removed; someareas are eroded, others are not. To theselarge plots add 35,000 acorns planted byConservancy staff and volunteers, plusrainwater—and see what happens. Morespecifically, the idea is to see whichacorns best establish themselves tounderstand if competition, disturbance,predation, some combination of these orsomething entirely different is impedingthe establishment of new oaks.

“Based on the results of this trial andothers, several years from now we will bein a much better position to conduct oakrestoration activities,” notes Denise.“That’s because we’ll have a better under-standing of why they have not beenregenerating at sustainable levels.”

The reduction of grazing of grasses andbrowsing on broad-leafed plants in recentyears is believed to be one of the ingredientsin producing what Denise describes as“the spectacular natural regeneration ofmany of Catalina’s rare and endemic

plants.” For example, the stunning yellow-flowered Island bush poppy can be seenflourishing on Catalina’s West End, aswell as young Catalina ironwoods andCatalina cherries, which are much moreabundant than in recent years. Notunexpectedly however, with less grazingpressure, invasive plants are also prospering.

To address this concern, John has usedhis GPS data along with biologicalinformation about each species to rankthe Island’s top 76 invasive plant speciesfor priority of control. The invasive plantspecies are ranked using four metrics: (1)their negative impact; (2) their level ofinvasiveness—that is, how fast theyspread; (3) their current abundance onthe Island, and (4) their potential forsuccessful control. Flax-leaf broom is oneof the species that comes out on top forproducing the most negative impacts

“because the plants actually change soilchemistry by adding nitrogen whichencourages weed growth, negativelyimpacting the native flora,” John explains.“And, since they typically don’t germinateright away, they can remain viable in thesoil for decades, creating more problemsa hundred years from now.” Like manyother invasive plants, this colorfulinvasive was brought to the Island aslandscaping material.

In John’s ranking system, fennel holds thetop spot for spreading rapidly. On SantaCruz Island, this species spread from

hundreds of acres to thousands over aseveral-year period. Fennel is being targetedfor selective control rather than eradicationbecause of the vast resources that would berequired to tackle what John characterizesas “an enormous problem.”

“Helping to stop their spread is what we’refocused on at the moment,” he notes. Capeivy—a poster child among invasive plantsin California—is rated in John’s modelas both highly invasive and relativelycontrollable since there are currently onlya few populations in the interior of the

Island. The latest effort by the Conservancyto help control the spread of invasiveslike Flax-leaf broom, fennel and cape ivy,as well as to restore impacted areas, is theCatalina Habitat Restoration andImprovement Program (CHIRP).CHIRP has three important components:eradication and control of invasive plantspecies, followed by the out planting ofdesired native species, accompanied byeducational outreach and publicawareness campaigns to help each of usunderstand what we can do to stop thespread of invasive plants.

Saving Catal ina’s Natives (continued from page 3)

Catalina bedstraw

Catalina manzanita Catalina ironwood

Catalina live-forever

“To succeed, this ambitious programmust be a collaborative one,” says John ofthe project, which targets the entire Islandand will look to residents, visitors andevery Island entity—from the City of

Avalon and Edison to the USC WrigleyInstitute for Environmental Studies andall in between—to guard againstindividual and business practices thatpromote the spread of weeds.

“It’s easy to spread invasive plantsbecause of seeds and plant parts thatget stuck in camping gear or cling tovehicles, tires and pant legs,” John notes.“Through CHIRP, we hope to collaborateto develop a set of guidelines that willreduce their spread and help protectour unique natives.”

Both John and Denise spend much oftheir days collecting and processing dataabout Catalina’s plants. Their officecountertops are piled high with sheets ofdata and the many and varied mapsproduced by that data. Where most of ussee Saint Catherine’s lace and Catalinaironwoods, John and Denise seeErigonum giganteum and Lyonothamnusfloribundus subspecies floribundus, and

know what it takes to protect them—lucky for those of us who benefit fromtheir knowledge each time we enjoythe lush and unique native landscapeof the Island.

“Catalina Island is only .002% of the landthroughout the United States, yet we have.64% of the biodiversity,” says the weedwarrior as he considers the bounty of theIsland he and Denise call home. “Of thenearly 500 native plant and animalspecies on the Island, 99 of them—abouta fifth—are officially listed as endangered,threatened, or species of special concern.

“There is something undeniably specialabout places that are unique—likeCatalina Island,” he concluded, Denisenodding in agreement. “We have thisfabulous biodiversity of plants andanimals—and it’s our responsibility toprotect them.”

To support the CHIRP program, Oak LimitationTrials and other projects that are protectingCatalina natives, use the convenient envelopeincluded in this issue, or call Chuck Wright at(562) 437-8235, x225. To become a valuedvolunteer, call Karen Berkheimer at(310) 510-2595 x102.

Denise Knapp surveys plant communities

Nowhere Else on Earth

There are six known plant species that areendemic to Catalina Island, meaning thatthey occur naturally nowhere else in theworld. They are:

• Catalina BedstrawThis sprawling shrub has been classified bythe California Native Plant Society—alongwith the mahogany, manzanita, ironwoodand St. Catherine’s lace—as rare.

• Catalina IronwoodWhile 20,000 years ago ironwoods grewabundantly on the mainland, Ironwoodtrees are now considered a “relict” genus,and species are found only on a fewCalifornia Channel Islands. This subspeciesis found on Catalina Island alone.

• Catalina Live-ForeverCatalina’s only endemic succulent

• Catalina MahoganyAs few as seven established trees existtoday, making this federally endangeredtree one of the rarest in the continentalUnited States.

• Catalina ManzanitaThe Catalina Island fox has a specialrelationship with this plant, as its seedsare “scarified” in the fox’s stomach andable to germinate after passing through.This creates food sources for future Islandfoxes and other foragers.

• Saint Catherine’s LaceA perennial shrub, this member of thebuckwheat family prospers on dry, rockyslopes across the Island.

COVER STORY • 13


VOLUNTEERING/CALENDAR • 15

Friday, April 1, 2005

Conservancy Ball “Welcome to Avalon” Party

Dining and dancing under the stars. This is the pre-party toattend for the Conservancy Ball. Good food, great music, meetfellow ball attendees and sponsors. Ball sponsors receive ticketsas part of their sponsorship; all others $40 per person. DescansoBeach Club 4:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. For more information onthis new event. Call Randy Boelsems for more details at (714)843-6904 x210, or visit www.catalinaconservancyball.com/.

Saturday, April 2, 2005

Third Annual Conservancy Ball Golf Tournament

Wondering what to do Saturday morning prior to the Ball?How about a round of golf on the beautiful Catalina IslandGolf Course? This is a shotgun start followed by lunch at theSand Trap. Assorted prizes and awards. Contact Bill Charneskifor more details at (714) 898-6363, or go online and visithttp://www.catalinaconservancyball.com/.


Tenth Annual Catalina Conservancy Ball – See display below

Wednesday, April 13, 2005

Evening Nature Program ~ Conserving Our Precious Water

A Special Earth Day Edition

7:00 p.m. We kick off our Sustainable Living series with theEarth Day theme Water for Life. Water on Catalina Island andaround the world is an extremely precious resource. This specialevening nature program edition includes interactive displays andwater conservation activities. Learn how you can conserve wateron Catalina Island.*


Earth Day Celebration

Celebrate our Mother Earth on Saturday, April 25, from 9:30a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Interpretive Center. There will be kidcrafts and activities throughout the day, a special wildflowerdisplay, music and more!

14 • VOLUNTEERING/CALENDAR


Calendar Calendar (continued)

Wednesday, January 12, 2005

Evening Nature Program ~ Majestic Island Oaks

7:00 p.m. In the first program of the series Island Research, wewill focus on the Island’s oak ecosystem. A local scientist willshare how this research is vital to protecting our oaks. Please joinus as we learn about this important research. *

Wednesday, February 9, 2005

Evening Nature Program ~ Weeds, Oh No!

7:00 p.m. Continuing the Island Research Series, we will discoverhow invasive plants affect the Island’s ecosystem. Invasive PlantProgram Manager John Knapp will explain why invasive plantspecies are a concern to the Island as well as worldwide, andwhich ones cause the most severe changes to any ecosystem. *

* CALL the Conservancy’s Education Department for additional

information or to sign up: (310) 510-0954.

Saturday, February 19, 2005

25th Annual Avalon Harbor Underwater Cleanup

More than 500 divers are participating. Come support the CatalinaConservancy Divers and Catalina Hyperbaric Chamber! Prizesdonated by dive and travel industries and local merchants. Forinformation on this event, call Jill Boivin at (310) 510-2595 x123,or email [email protected].

Wednesday, March 9, 2005

Evening Nature Program ~ Orange-Crowned Warblers

7:00 p.m. Learn the results of a long-term study conducted bythe Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center and University ofCalifornia, Riverside to understand the life history and ecologyof the orange-crowned warbler. In the last program of our IslandResearch series, come see what they have discovered so far aboutthis Channel Island endemic.*

CALENDAR continues at right

Volunteer Opportunit iesField Day for Island LoversShare a day with our Conservation Department staff and enjoyprotecting, maintaining and learning about many of our currentrestoration endeavors. Projects vary month to month and runthe gamut from fence repair to weed removal. Call in advance toreserve your spot and find out what the next Field Day project isgoing to be.

Native Island Seeds are Waiting for Your Touch

Enjoy the ride through Middle Canyon to the James H.Ackerman Native Plant Nursery. Learn the importance ofcollecting and storing Catalina’s native seeds. This is a chance tonurture many of the different seeds that have been collected forfuture Island restoration projects. These collections are waitingfor your special touch. Become a natural at seed processingany day, Monday through Friday. Give us a call!

Share Your Island Knowledge and Enthusiasm!

How would you like to meet new people while offeringinformation about the Conservancy’s points of interest andactivities? Enjoy sharing one or two days a week, (or month)here at the Conservancy House, helping to give directions toCatalina’s many visitors. Share our front office; we’d loveto have you.

Wake up and Share the Morning!

Join us any Thursday for a drive through Middle Canyon andon to the James H. Ackerman Native Plant Nursery. Be a part

of restoring Catalina’s natural habitat by helping to plant,maintain and nurture a variety of native plant species.Transportation available, leaving every Thursday at 7:30 a.m.and returning 12:00 noon.

Volunteer Vacations 2005

Help Restore Catalina! Come for a weeklong stay at our LauraStein Volunteer Camp. Take part in a variety of restorationprojects aimed at maintaining a healthy ecological balance onCatalina Island. Cap off each day with a wonderful full-coursemeal prepared by Mary Hirst, our volunteer chef. Takes placeMonday, May 2 to Friday, May 6.

10th Annual Catalina Conservancy Ball

Assist in setting up and decorating the beautiful Casino Ballroomor enjoy the festivities while helping to make everything flow ina timely manner. Call and let us know if you would like to sharethis event by volunteering this April 2005. Be a part of making itall come alive! If you would like to help with the post-Ball activity, giveErica a call at (310) 510-2595 x114. She would enjoy your assistance.

Island Photos Need Organizing

Spend a morning or afternoon at the beautiful Airport-in-the-Sky assisting our Education Department in organizing and filingIsland photographs. Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday, we’llprovide transportation and smiles for your volunteer assistance.

To volunteer, call Matt Sutton at (310) 510-2595 x109.

10th Annual Catalina Island Conservancy Ball

THE EVENT OF THE DECADE

Within Southern California there lies a place unspoiled by urban sprawl thatdeserves your attention. Each year an event is held that brings together supportersof the conservator of one of Southern California’s greatest assets, CatalinaIsland. This event has raised more than $1 million for the Catalina IslandConservancy to help preserve, protect and restore Catalina Island. The originalfounders of “The Ball,” Corsair Yacht Club, will be your proud hosts again in 2005.

An opportunity to help the Island by becoming one of our cherished sponsorsis at hand. You could be one of the 600 individuals to enjoy the ConservancyBall in 2005. Due to sell-out conditions last year, more than 200 people wereunable to attend. In order to guarantee attendance, please take advantage of ourSilver sponsorship for $1,000, which includes two tickets to the Ball, theSponsor reception, and the Friday night Beach Dinner/Concert. Sponsorships can bepurchased in advance online at: https://www.tradeshowcontrol.com/ball05.php.

SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

Silver Level: $1,000 – 2 tickets to the Ball, the Beach Dinner/Concert, andthe Pre-Ball Sponsor Reception.

Gold Level: $5,000 – 4 tickets to the Ball, the Beach Dinner/Concert, and thePre-Ball Reception; and a full-page ad in the Program.

Platinum Level: $10,000 – 8 tickets to the Ball, the Beach Dinner/Concert, and thePre-Ball Reception; a full-color ad in the Program, and a listing on the Ball Poster.

Titanium Level: $15,000 – 10 tickets to the Ball, the Beach Dinner/Concert,and the Pre-Ball Reception; a two-page, full-color ad in the Program, andprominent recognition on the Ball Poster.

For more information, visit: www.CatalinaConservancyBall.com

* CALL the Conservancy’s Education Department for additional

information or to sign up: (310) 510-0954.

LIFE-LONG LEARNING • 17


he recalled, “It was the first time I saw thebuffalo on the Island.”

Phillip Hunter also experienced theIsland in a new way. “I saw a lot of theIsland that I hadn’t seen before,” hebegan, recalling several field trips he andcolleague REGIs took with Conservancystaff through the interior. Hunter’sbiggest surprise? “An encounter with afairly large spider,” he said, punctuatingits girth with forefingers and thumbsforming a circle.

“It got bigger and bigger as time wenton,” quipped Zanelli who spied Hunter’sspider and set its abdomen at about thesize of a quarter. “It was big, but not theman-eater we all had fun recalling,” hesaid. Zanelli shepherded the studentsthrough their daily activities,coordinating everything from thecontent mix to logistics planning.

“It was really a great experience for me,too,” Zanelli continued. “There is nothingI enjoy more than working directly withstudents, and these five were really a joy.”

Apparently, the joy went both ways, thestudents making surprising discoveriesnot only about the Island but also aboutthe Conservancy. All the students got awindow into the working life ofConservancy Rangers who Leon Woodsaid he used to think of as “the police ofthe interior.” The REGIs spent a full daywith Rangers Billy Boyd and Jim Fellows.“Really, they are caretakers who oftentravel 60 miles in a day,” Wood declaredafter his day on duty. “We spent timetogether doing things like picking uptrash, and it felt great to do that.”

As a grand finale to their internshipexperience, each student chose a managerto spend time with. Dena Upton choseAnn Muscat, the Conservancy’s President,and ended up at a lunch in NewportBeach to honor this year’s co-chairs ofthe Conservancy Ball. “I learned a lotabout the Conservancy Board and whatthey do,” said Upton. “I didn’t know whatthey did before, but they do a lot!”

In a graduation ceremony held at the endof the six-week internship, the studentsreceived diplomas as well as a stipend for$2,000 each, as parents, siblings, friendsand other supporters looked on.

“It was a proud moment for everyoneinvolved,” Muscat recalled, praising DebJensen, the Conservancy’s Director ofEducation, for her team’s efforts. “TheRose Ellen Gardner Internship is givingus an opportunity to plan for the Island’sfuture,” Muscat said.

“By involving local teenagers in ourwork, we invite them to learn more aboutwhat it takes to protect wildlands, andthe benefits humans derive from theland,” Muscat continued. “We thank allthe donors who made this possible, andour first-year REGI alums for helping uspioneer the program.”

In conclusion, Muscat looked ahead: “Welook forward to welcoming our secondgroup of REGIs next summer. We anticipatethat the experiences these young peopleglean through the internship will openup exciting possibilities for their future.”

The Rose Ellen Gardner Internship is madepossible through the generosity of itsdonors. The Conservancy is grateful to alldonors to this important program.Benefactor Endowment Gifts were madeby Paxson and Susan Offield and Geoffand Alison Rusack. Donors of $500 andmore are listed alphabetically: LoraineAckerman, Leslie Baer, Bill and Judy Banning,Jack Baldelli and Ann Muscat, Greg Bombard,Boyd Cargill, Ron and Barbara Doutt, Tomand Jane Fetter, Blanny Hagenah, Dan Munzer,Carl and Mary Raymond, Roy Rose, andScott and Pat Wauben.

To support this program, or for additionalinformation, please contact ChuckWright at (562) 437-8555 x225.

16 • LIFE-LONG LEARNING


The Rose Ellen GardnerInternship program (REGI),launched this year, welcomed students on a journey ofexploration.

his summer, five students fromAvalon High School entered aninternship program that allowed

them to explore the Island, a career inconservation, and themselves. Their“dreams” for the internship, detailed onan initial application, included “enhancingoutdoor skills,” “learning about wildlifemanagement,” “developing leadershipskills,” and “becoming a better steward ofCatalina Island.” What they reportedexperiencing as the first Rose EllenGardner Interns (REGIs) was an

adventure beyond what any of themhad imagined.

“It was really cool,” said Leon Wood, 16,beaming as he described a trip fromLittle Harbor to Two Harbors—one ofmany adventures during his six-weekinternship with the Catalina IslandConservancy. “We saw rare plants andlearned how trails are created using GPSunits. Very cool.”

Wood was joined by Fabian Gutierrez,Phillip Hunter, Dena Upton and Chris

Vega. These five students represented theConservancy’s first crop of REGIs. RichZanelli, School Programs Specialist in theConservancy’s Education Department,coordinated the activities of this year’spioneering group.

When Rose Ellen Gardner retired fromthe Conservancy in 2004, the organizationlaunched a campaign to raise funds toestablish an internship in her name.The Rose Ellen Gardner Internshipprogram was made possible through the

donations of many generous supporterswho chose to honor Gardner by investingin the Island’s youth and improvingeducational opportunities on Catalina,Rose Ellen’s long-time passions.

“My dream has been for students atAvalon High School to be able to learnabout the natural history of CatalinaIsland and the importance of protectingit,” said Gardner, Conservancy DirectorEmeritus. “It would be great if thesestudents went on to earn the degreesnecessary to do conservation work, andeven better if they returned to Catalinaas conservation professionals.”

Getting Inside

The REGIs learned quickly that theConservancy has a multifaceted missionand a wide scope of operations. In orderto understand the complexity of theorganization and career paths that mightinterest them, the five enthusiasticstudents were invited to experience eachdepartment of the Conservancy fromthe inside out.

Interns spent time with nearly everyConservancy department. During theirtravels they were introduced to ecologicalrestoration, public education, volunteerand visitor services, botanical garden andfacilities management, airport operation,and organizational leadership. Theseadventures took the REGIs to everycorner of Conservancy operations, fromthe tame decor of Conservancy House inAvalon to the dusty frontier of MiddleRanch, the wild lands of the West End,and places in between.

Chris Vega was particularly excited abouthis experience in the Island’s interior. “Itwas really exciting to learn about howmany foxes there are on the Island, andalso about the rare shrew,” he said. “Ihadn’t heard about the shrew before.”For Fabian Gutierrez, a resident of Avalonfor a number of years, the Internshipintroduced him to an entirely newexperience of Catalina. “One day we weregoing to Black Jack, and we saw a buffalo,”

New Experiences, Exciting Possibilities

Enjoying the Wildlife The Rose Ellen Gardner interns hike with Conservancy EducationDepartment staffers Amy Busch at lead and Craig Bailes pulling up the rear. During theirsix-week experience, REGIs spent time enjoying the great outdoors while they learnedabout the wonders of Catalina’s wildlands.

Rose Ellen Gardner Internship Announcements Five local students (from left, back row)—Leon Wood, Dena Upton, Chris Vega, Phillip Hunter and (seated, center) Fabian Gutierrez—were the lucky Rose Ellen Gardner Interns chosen to begin a six-week internship programwith the Conservancy. At left, first row: Rose Ellen Gardner; Ann Muscat at right.Standing, right: Deb Jensen, Rich Zanelli (behind Deb).

T

DONOR PROFILE • 19


At Haypress, the students engage in aseries of hands-on learning activitiesdemonstrating how species are dispersedto an island by “wind, wing and wave.” AtAirport-in-the-Sky, a hot lunch is prepared especially for Course Catalinaparticipants that features healthy andenvironmentally sensitive fare, includingvegetarian pasta, garlic bread, crisp greensalad and fresh lemonade. The meal istopped off with a famous Airport cookie(also known as the “Killer Cookie”).Reusable dishes and utensils underscorethe concept of sustainable living. Duringlunch, students each receive a “CatalinaCup,” a recycled plastic mug adornedwith Catalina’s own Island fox and theBoone Foundation logo.

The high point of the day is traveling toLittle Harbor, where students learn aboutsensitive ecological areas (SEAs) thenparticipate in a survey that reveals humanimpacts on those areas. Deb Jensen,Director of the Conservancy’s EducationDepartment said of the survey results,“It’s incredible to see how the kids beginto make observations about both thepositive ways that humans connect withthe wild lands, and also how we can havefewer impacts.”

At sunset, children have time to write intheir Course Catalina journals and reflectupon their day interacting with the wild.

Says Nick Boone of Course Catalina,“When dedicated leaders work withyoung people who want to improve theirlives, good things often happen. And wesee those good things happening in therevelations young people have aboutnature and their connection to it afterparticipating in Course Catalina.”

First to Adopt an Ironwood

Sponsorship of Course Catalina is one ofthe ways the Boonies provide opportuni-ties to encourage young people inSouthern California to lead interesting,creative and productive lives. OnCatalina, the Foundation’s interest andcommitment extends to protecting theenvironment. The Boonies were one ofthe first donors to sponsor a Catalinaironwood grove, a grove that now bearsthe Boone name.

In addition to its generous support ofConservancy initiatives, the BooneFamily Foundation has been a keysupporter of the reinvigoration of theUniversity of Southern California’sWrigley Institute for EnvironmentalStudies at Big Fisherman Cove on theWest End of the Island. According toGeorge, environmental philanthropy iswhat his family does for their grandchildrenand other grandchildren throughoutSouthern California.

“It brings me great joy to know that thebeauty of Catalina Island will be availablefor future generations to enjoy.”

The Catalina Island Conservancy isextremely grateful for the continuedsupport of the Boone Family Foundation.For more information on how you cansupport Conservancy environmentaleducation programs, call Chuck Wrightat the Conservancy’s Long Beach office,(562) 437-8555 x225.

18 • DONOR PROFILE


From educating youth to savingironwood, the Boonies have beenunwavering in their support ofefforts to share and protect theCatalina experience.

he year was 1994. Course Catalina was a pilot program the Catalina Island Conservancy had

designed with George Boone to bringgroups of Los Angeles-area children tothe Island to learn about conservationand the outdoors. The upstart programwas wildly successful and soon beganserving a cross section of youth largeenough to represent the diversity ofSouthern California. It was the beginningof the Boone legacy on Catalina Island.

In the years following its founding,Course Catalina has welcomed childrenfrom every corner of the Los Angelsbasin, including those from formal andinformal learning organizations such asA Place Called Home, Heart of L.A., theFoshay Learning Center, HollenbeckMiddle School, Broad Avenue SchoolScience Club and many others.

Investing in Mentoring

In 1983, the Boone family—George andwife Mary Lou, son Nick, and daughtersLynda and Suzanne—formed the BooneFamily Foundation. “We wanted to havea way to make a difference in ourcommunity,” recalls George.

Through the generosity of theFoundation, the Boonies have worked toencourage positive change in a number ofarenas. While the Foundation has been asupporter of very large projects spanningthe art and educational worlds, theBoonies also believe they can be veryeffective by sponsoring grassroots

programs spearheaded by passionateleaders whose mentoring, Georgebelieves, is key to positively influencingyoung lives.

“It has always been my philosophy thatyoung people will help themselves as longas they have educational opportunitiesand good mentoring,” says George.“Through our educational gifts toorganizations with passionate, dedicatedleadership, we hope to provide suchopportunities.”

Course Catalina: Adventures in Ecology

Course Catalina is an adventure into theinterior where middle-school studentsare invited to become ecologists for theday. Schools are invited to participate

after a Conservancy educator makes apersonal trip to candidate schools tointerview potential participants. NickBoone is the Foundation’s hands-oncoordinator of the program in collaborationwith the Conservancy’s Education staff.He also accompanies the students ontheir adventure.

After a journey across the channel,Course Catalina students are greeted byConservancy educators who orient themto the City of Avalon and its interestingcultural heritage before they board a busto begin their inland adventure. First stopis the summit above Avalon wherestudents get a perspective of the channeland are introduced to the concept that asan Island, Catalina has a unique ecology.

Boone’s Catalina Legacy

George and Nick Boone

Course Catalina welcomes Los Angles-area children to Catalina to learn about Islandecology. The program was developed by the Conservancy and the Boone Foundation.

The Boone Foundation sponsoredone of the Island’s ironwood groves.The Catalina ironwood is anendemic “relict” species.

T

WELCOME MEMBERS • 21


New members June 1, 2004 toAugust 31, 2004

Philip and Penni AckerMelody AndersonKurt AschermanJohn AshtonFrank Baker and Sue PerkinsCurtis and Laury BarnesSteve and Rosemary BarnesTimothy and Carol BarryRoss BennettBrad and Tracy BennettRoger and Mary BerdoulayChristopher and Teresa BertorelliSteven and Alice BlairJames and Kathryn BondouxGeorge and Pamela BoyntonBetsy Brock and Dennis HedgecockJeff and Kathy BrohnJim and Lorie BuchananJohn BurnhamJim and Patricia ButlerMike and Sharon BythewoodDavid and Wendy CallowayDouglas and Jean CampbellBill and Joyce CarlsonThomas and Katherine CarruthersDaniel and Katina CarusilloDonald and Mary Anne ChalkerCharles and Tillie CheyneyTom and Virginia ChisholmBruce and Katherine ChoateRoger and Sarah ChrismanLloyd and Colleen ClausDaniel and Carda ClawsonMichael and Jennifer CollinsMike and Leanne ColvinWallace and Michele CookJames and Larki CookJohn and Barbara CooperFrederick and Brooke CooperLanny and Catherine CornellDavid Cort and Carol ArmitageKirby and Pamela CoryellJames and Judy CoxBob and Kris CrantonJoe and Rayma-Lew CraverHoby and Mitzi CressCurtis and Jean CrookeDwight and Hoda CulverMatthew and Stephanie DatheDean DaveyDale Davis

Merril DayCharles and Roxanne DidhamTom and Coriena DingmanRichard and Colleen DoeringLeslie Drozd and Jeffrey PerlmanRick and Lindsay Du FresneMike and Pat DwightRick and Candace EmsiekRhonda EvansWilliam and Thalia EvensonCarter and Sarah EwingOmar FacoryKevin and Katherine FaulconerRudy and Carolyn FeimerTod FirottoPaul and Louise FornaciariWarren and Mary FoyJames and Susan FrenchStacy FriedowitzGerry and Ann FulmerBob and Linda GarfinkleJeff and Claudia GerwinIan and Kari GibsonBrooks and Darlene GiffordLee and Linda GillardWilliam and Maxine GlazebrookRichard and Monica GoebelWilliam and Barbara GrahamScott GrahamRaymond Gregory and Eric OrnelasDavid Grundies and Diane SchneiderLinda GuinterRichard and Tory GulleyJames and Nancy GurneyGlen GustafsonWesley and Kerry HackerDuncan and Christine HaddenFred and Sue HamburgRandal and Rona HaroldSteve and Tama HarrisAlexander HawkJohn HawkinsGeorge and Alana HedleyGeorge and Yvonne HelmsThomas Henderson and

Sabine SteinmetzDoug and Rosemary HepferMichael and Maria HermanGlenn HighlandLaurance and Anne HillThomas and Marcy HolthusPhilip HommeCharles and Katherine HopeFrank and Barbara Hope

Matt and Lisa HumphreysDebbie HusbyThomas and Marlene HynesKim Cody HysellMelin Isa-ZillesBruce and Gail IvesKhalil and Rondilye JaberRichard and Ginny JacksonDavid and Janet JacobsLars JacobsenJesse and Ellen JamesMary Lou JeffersonGeorge and Mary JessopCharles and Jaina JohnsonRichard and Marie JohnsonSusan JonesHenry and Marion JonesStan and Cathy JorgensenDebbie KarimotoJeff KennanRobert and Tammy KeitchJohn and Amanda KellyLyle and Alice KerrRobert Kettenhofen and Nancy HargravesPatrick and Olga KeyesGary and Maxine KreitzerFrank and Peggy KretchmanRobert and Laura KyleAndrew and Robin La DowPeter and Edith LaDowGary and Lynn LarsonWilliam and Maureen LathamJohn and Susan LaunDan and Linda LeadlayGeoffrey Lehy and Cheryl NelsonCharles and Deanna LewisJames LightJerry and Barbara LivoniLauren LopezJohn and Lynette LyonDavid and Elizabeth MacVeanStan and Susan MahlerJef MangelschotsCharles and Jackie MannDavid and Sandra MarottaJodi MauriceJoAnn MayBetty McCarthyLawson and Helga McClungM. Duncan and Marie McDuffieAnna McGuirkJeanne McKayBill and Karen McKeeverJames and Kris McMillan

20 • DONOR APPRECIATION


The Conservancy wishes to thankall of its supporters who makeit possible to undertake theimportant efforts to keepCatalina wild, some of whichare detailed in this issue of theConservancy Times. Due tospace considerations, donorsof $500 or more are listed here.

June 1, 2004 to August 31, 2004

$1,000,00 and AboveThe Annenberg Foundation

$100,000 to $999,999Offield Family FoundationThe Seaver Institute

$25,000 to $50,000Steve Rocco

$10,000 to $24,999Charles and Ada Blanche W. SchreinerThe Kenneth T. and Eileen L. Norris

FoundationC.M. & Edna Peyton Cotton Foundation

$5,000 to $9,999A.G. Cox Charity TrustJames H. and Lorraine AckermanRandy and K.C. BoelsemsJames and Sally McClureTrader Joe’s

$2,500 to $4,999Roger and Sarah ChrismanPhil and Susan HagenahThe Little Garden Club of Newport

BeachSt. Brendan Corporation

$1,000 to $2,499Mr. and Mrs. Albert R. AbramsonTed BehrFrank and Ruth BlairSteven and Alice BlairJames and Joyce BrownLee and Kathy BrownCatalina Classic Cruises, Inc.John and Nancy CelickMike and Pat Dwight

Jim and Janet EddyTom and Jane FetterG.T. and Shannon FrostJohn and Adrienne GarrisonJohn and Sheryl GriffithCharles and Patty HathawayJeanne Ham Peto, Inc.Don and Kathi KollWilliam and Nancy OwenRichard and Geri PeckhamBill Perrine and Marian KimRobert & Patricia Switzer FoundationTom and Joanne RogersJerome and Anne RyanChristopher ShecklerDan and Claire StuartMisdee Wrigley

$500 to $999C.W. and Kathryn AsmusByron BarthFred and Wendy BeckScott and Barbara BiceBoatswain LockerJim and Lorie BuchananBen and Denise CarterDel Rey Yacht ClubRoy and Patty DisneyPatrick DohenyGirardi and KeeseMike HerreraCarl and Francyne LambertMichael and Karen LearnedDon and Margaret LouderbackThomas William MaloneRuth Mcguire and Kevin WoodsWayne and Susan NelsonNewport Harbor Yacht ClubRobert ParksWilliam and Carolyn PowersGeary ReichertKristine SearsEric and Nancy SteffenBarbara StevensBob VoitBrad WebbWooden Hull Yacht Club

Your Gifts at Work – Pictured above,Winston Vickers, Fox Recovery Programstaff veterinarian, examines patient. InNovember and December, 25 CatalinaIsland foxes were released in celebrationof the end of the captive breeding phaseof the Conservancy’s Fox RecoveryProgram in partnership with the Institutefor Wildlife Studies. The Fox RecoveryProgram was made possible by thegenerous donations of Conservancysupporters, some of whom are listed onthis page. With more than 300 foxes nowin the wild, modeling predicts that thefoxes have less than a one-percent chanceof becoming extinct. While captive breedinghas ended, intensive monitoring has justbegun to ensure survival of this endangeredspecies. Continued care and monitoringwill be made possible through thegenerosity of donors like you.

Thanks to Our Donors Welcome New Members

To make a gift, please call(562) 437-8555 and ask for ChuckWright or Jackie McDougal.

MAKE A DIFFERENCE • 2322 • WELCOME MEMBERS


Steve McNallyJames McNeilWilliam McWethyWilliam and Patricia MeanleyWilliam and Cheryl MegowanDavid MeyerTheodore and Kristina MontagRobert and Pamela MorrisLewis and Patricia MoultonJames and Ellen MoxhamMarc and Stefanie MuenchKurt and Gretchen MulvilleNissa MyerJacques and Astrid NaviauxJoe NealeCharles and Tracy NicholsEric and Wendy NoyesGarrett and Kathy OBrienParker O’BrienJohn I. O’Donnell and Barbara ColvilleRobert and Kim OldsPeggy OrnelasPeggy ParkinsonRaymond ParksPeter and Nancy PeckhamDavid and Carla PekinErnest and Mary PennellTimothy and Kathy Peppers

Mary PritchettDunk and Kim Marie PruettSandy and Kathy PurdonClive and Denise PuseyDavid and Carole RainvilleRudy and Laurie ReaganKathleen ReynoldsJohn RichardsonThayer RidgwayRoss and Katie RittoBeverly RobertsBuddy and Sonia RobinsonJohn and Debbie RogersKenneth and Linda RuppertNed and Shirley RussellJerome and Anne RyanDavid and Leslie SanguinettiRoland and Kathy SannmannNeal and Ruth SchneiderMichael and Pamela SchuurTed SchweitzerPaul and Elia ScrippsDan and Diane SealsSteve and Laura SharpeJeff and Betty Sue ShermanGeorge SimsFrederick and Lynn SlocumArt and Juge Smith

Charles and Melinda SmithJohn and Arlene SpearsCraig and Dori StarkeyBob and Carolyn StephensJim and Janet StonemanEric Strimling and Lauren HelfandJeff SullivanLeo and Eileen SullivanDean and Rosemary SutterBill and Robin SwansonWayne and Vira TerryLee Ann ThommesWilliam and Peggy Sue TildenJohn TsirimokosMichael and Cynthia TuriJohn and Julie VoigtAnne Van Der AheTristany Wagner and Maria WagnerWilliam WaiteRick and Diana WarnerPat and Yolanda WhiteDavid and Jean WilldenDavid and Lauren WindischDon and Sydney WoodDaniel and Jennifer WoodardRobert and Kelle WrightPhilip and Joanna Zorn

Welcome New Members ( cont inued)

When you become a member of theCatalina Island Conservancy, yourdues fund a variety of ecologicalrestoration and environmentaleducation programs that help keepCatalina wild and beautiful fortoday and for future generations.

Jonathan Torres, age 9, is one of manychildren who have benefited from theConservancy’s Catalina-specificenvironmental education programsthat touch 100 percent of kindergartenthrough fifth graders at Avalon School.

Give a Gift and Make a DifferenceThis holiday season, share the experience of Catalina Island with your family and friends and support the vital work of theConservancy—dedicated to keeping Catalina wild and beautiful today for for future generations to enjoy!

Gift memberships provide year-long benefits for members to explore the Island’s interior, receive quarterly issues of the ConservancyTimes, take advantage of a variety of discounts, and much more. Member donations also provide the Conservancy with valuable fundsfor vital Conservancy initiatives, recreational activities and life-long learning programs for adults and children.

Give a gift membership today and share the joy:

$35 Friend • Free subscription to the redesigned and expanded Conservancy Times• Opportunities to participate in special Island conservation projects

$65 Explorer • All of the benefits of the Friend level, plus:• Free note cards of Santa Catalina Island for new members• Members-only discounts for:

- 10% off The Hike, a Conservancy experience for budding naturalists - 10% discount on a bike permit- 10% discount on Conservancy merchandise

• Unlimited admission for two to the Conservancy’s Wrigley Memorial & Botanical Garden

$125 Adventurer • All of the benefits of the Explorer level, plus:• Free Conservancy baseball cap (or Burgee for Marineros) for new members• A free, one-time family pass to the Catalina Island Museum for new members• Members-only discounts for:

- An additional 10% off a bike permit (20% total)- 20% off airport landings - 20% off airport shuttle service

• Unlimited admission for up to five members of your family to the Conservancy’s Wrigley Memorial & Botanical Garden

• Free hiking trail map of the Island’s interior• Opportunity to join one support group and receive invitations to social and special events:

- Marineros - Divers - Caballeros - Pilots

Give a gift membership today and you’ll make a difference—for your family, friends and the Conservancy. For more information or topurchase gift memberships, please call Erica Cushing at (310) 510-2595 x114.


The Conservancy recently formed the LeadershipCircle —a group of committed donors who supportthe Conservancy at a $2,500 or higher annualdonation level.

Donors at these levels have the opportunity to experiencethe Island and the Conservancy as few do. They are able to takespecial, custom ecological tours of Catalina Island with Boardof Director members and Staff. They have the opportunity tomeet with nationally renowned scientists working on leading-edge conservation projects and learn how they apply to Catalina.An annual social event on the Island brings together the Conservancy’s leadership, of which they will be a part, todiscuss issues of importance to Catalina—and to enjoy the

Island together. The Leadership Circle was announced at threereceptions hosted by Board of Director Members Marie Knowlesat her home in Long Beach, Charles Hathaway at the RivieraCountry Club, and past Board Member Norris Bishton at hishome in Pacific Palisades.

Interested supporters can call Jackie McDougall, ChiefDevelopment Officer, at (562) 437-8555, x228.

Conservancy Launches “Leadership Circ le”

Continued on page 3

24 • NATURE’S NOTEBOOK

ot everyone has seen a SantaCatalina Island fox or deer mouse,but most people who visit the

Island get a glimpse of the blue-grayquail with its bouncing topknot. Thequail is one of the most often seen of allCatalina endemic vertebrates. Our Islandquail is an endemic subspecies of theCalifornia quail, which means that it is

found only on Santa Catalina Islandand nowhere else in the world at thesubspecies level.

The Catalina Island quail (Callipeplacalifornica catalinensis) are generally largerand darker in color than quail found onthe mainland. Scientists hypothesize thatit is the lower predation and competition

levels on the Island that have allowedthese birds to evolve larger and darker.That is, there is no survival advantage inbeing smaller and lighter (and thereforeless conspicuous) as there is on themainland. As summer family groupsform into fall and winter coveys, youbegin seeing large groups of quail withthe average covey size around 50,although coveys of 200 to 300 birds arenot uncommon on Catalina.

If you don’t see the Catalina Island quailwhen you are out in the hills, you mightstop and listen for their call in the earlymorning or evening. It sounds like, “Chi-ca-go, Chi-ca-go.” If you look closely, youmight glimpse a blue dash across a fieldin the dusty haze.

P.O. Box 2739Avalon, California 90704www.catalinaconservancy.org

The mission of the Catalina IslandConservancy is to be a responsible stewardof its lands through a balance ofconservation, education and recreation.

The Conspicuous Catalina Island Quail

N

Catalina Island quail

CATALINA ISLANDCONSERVANCY

Documents

Saving Catalina’s Natives · 2012-12-30 · Introduced to Catalina in the 1920s as landscaping material for the old Saint Catherine’s Hotel in Avalon, Flax-leaf broom spread to