Layout 1 (Page 1) - Catalina Island Conservancy

The following is a selection of the Conservancy’s conservation, education and recreation achievementswithin the last decade, made possible in large part thanks to generous supporters like you.Fox Recovery Program Launches(2000)Island foxes near extinction aspopulation plummets from 1300 to 100due to a distemper outbreak.Conservancy launches a programincluding captive breeding,vaccination against distemper,and wild fox monitoring.First Fox Release(2001)Successful captivebreeding programbegins producinghealthy pups andfirst six foxes arereleased into wild.Flora Mapping (2002)A complete native vegetation mapof the Island is completedand incorporated into a GeographicInformation System (GIS) to betterinform the future protection andrestoration of native habitats.Bison Study (2003)A 3-year scientific studyconcludes that a herd of150-200 bison can bemanaged to meet social,cultural and economic needsof the Island communitywhile minimizingenvironmental impacts.Fox Captive Breeding Ends (2004)Due to its 4-year success, the captive breeding phaseconcludes with the release of 8 additional foxes into the wild;37 pups total were reintroduced thanks to program.The Catalina Island fox is listed as aFederally Endangered Species.Bison Repatriation (2004)Ninety eight bison are relocated to aLakota tribe in South Dakota to live outthe rest of their lives. This leaves 150 – 200bison on Catalina for all to enjoy. (In 2009,another 149 bison were also repatriated.)REGI Interns Established(2003)In honor of formerConservancy President andlong-time Island resident,Rose Ellen Gardner,an internship fundis created to supportlocal high school studentsto learn aboutcareers in conservationand land management.Launch of CHIRP (2004)Catalina Habitat Restoration and ImprovementProgram (CHIRP) is initiated as amulti-year effort to control and eradicateinvasive plants on the Island.As of 2010, 38 of the most dangerousinvasive species have been reducedor eradicated, including over 400 acres(all known populations outside of Avalon)of “Flax-leaved broom” or Genista.Rediscovery ofCatalina Grass (2005)Conservancy plant ecologistrediscovers this rarenative grass(Dissanthelium californicum)thought to be extinctfor nearly 100 years.

Debut of Isla Earth (2006)The Conservancy launches a radio seriesexploring environmental issues of localand global importance. (As of 2010, thisaward-winning series reaches more than6.5 million people each weekacross 256 radio stations in 48 states.)Eagles Naturally Born (2007)Four bald eaglets hatch without humanintervention for first time in nearly 50 yearson Conservancy-stewarded lands.Program’s success grows each year, with9 natural hatchlings in 2010. Catalina nowboasts 20-25 bald eagle residents.Opening of Nature Center (2006)Inaugurated on Earth Day, the newNature Center at Avalon Canyonbecomes an educational gatewayto Island’s wild interior.Stop the Spread (2008)Serving up to 70,000 youth annually,this partnership educates all on how toprotect their individual coves againstthe spread of invasive plants. (As of 2010,7 channel-side coves are participating inthis important restoration program.)Post Fire Success (2008)The installation of 8 miles of fencingprotects more than 400 acresof most sensitive plant habitats fromnon-native mule deer browsing,allowing beautiful native andrare plant communities to recover.Launch of Given Fundfor Ocean Conservation (2007)In honor of lifetime ConservancyBenefactor, Robert R. Given, Ph.D.,this fund was created to supportoutreach and research activitiesrelated to the ocean.Rediscovery of Rare Plants(2007)After the May 2007 fire,Island rush rose(Helianthemum greeni)was found in 18 places on theIsland where it had never beenmapped before. Ocean spray(Holodiscus discolor) blossomedfrom 1 known location pre-fire,to 5 healthy populations post-fire.Opening ofTrans-Catalina Trail (2009)Annually, more than 9,000 hikersnow enjoy segments of the37.2-mile continuous trail acrossthe Island’s wildlands fromits east to west tips.Endemic Species Count Grows (2010)To date, more than 50 endemic species foundon Catalina and nowhere else in the worldhave been recorded. The Island is partof one of the world’s 34 Biodiversity Hotspotsdefined by Conservation International.Airport in the Sky’s50 th Anniversary (2009)More than 150 planesand 400 peoplecelebrate at the Airportwith a BBQ,aircraft displays,fly-overs and more.Fox Count Estimated at 1,000 (2010)Recovering from a population of just100 foxes in 2000, this 10-year milestonerepresents one of the fastest recoveriesof an Endangered Species on record.Imagine Catalina (2010)Architect selected to assistthe Conservancy in planningthe next phase of itsstewardship of Catalina Island.Bison Contraception (2009)A scientific first to better managethe free-roaming bison herd, yearly“inoculations” of non-hormonalPorcine Zona Pellucida (PZP),a contraceptive, are initiated andadministered to all female bisonof more than two years old.The Conservancy looks forward to another decade of extraordinary milestones with your help.www.catalinaconservancy.org