Our Year in Review

Thank you for your continued support in 2018. Because of you, we continue to fulfill our mission of being responsible stewards of our lands through a balance of conservation, education and recreation. It’s an exciting time to be a part of the Catalina Island Conservancy. Join us as we share highlights from this monumental past year.

Vegetation Mapping Project  With generous grant funding from The Seaver Institute, the Conservancy advanced a key Island vegetation mapping project in 2018 using drones and remote sensing technology. The data collected by the collaborative interdisciplinary team will be used to inform detailed predictive models describing the potential natural vegetation of Catalina Island which is invaluable in facilitating critical conservation and management activities.

Course Catalina Expansion  Course Catalina is a core Conservancy education program that includes a day trip to Catalina Island that has given hundreds of Avalon and mainland students first-hand experience with nature and science. This year we launched an extension to the regular programming: the Course Catalina Field School, a four-day, three-night camping experience at no cost to the students thanks to the Boone Family Foundation and the Daphne A. Munzer Foundation.

New Shade Structures  In 2018 the Conservancy's facilities crew erected two new shade structures thanks to the funding of generous donors. These structures can be found along the airport loop hiking trail and at mile nine of the Trans-Catalina Trail. Shade structures such as these give weary hikers a valuable resting place to grab a drink of water and enjoy the beautiful views before continuing on their trek.

Airport Runway Project  Catalina Island Conservancy announced a partnership with the U.S. Marine Corps and Navy Seabees that will bring troops to Catalina Island to repair the aging runway at the Airport in the Sky. The project is part of the Department of Defense's Innovativ e Readiness Training Program which partners community needs with military training opportunities. This mutually beneficial project is expected to conclude in April 2019. Stay tuned for more information. The airport is open for the duration of the project and we invite visitors to come see our fine military in action.

Deer Spotlight Survey  Conservancy wildlife biologists conducted their annual mule deer spotlight survey, estimating the Island's deer population to be around 2,100. The large population of non-native mule deer on Catalina leads to increased consumption of plants, causing widespread devastation of native vegetation and the destruction of essential habitat for many native, rare and endangered plant and animal species. The Conservancy continues to explore long-term solutions to mitigate the destructive impacts of the deer on the Island.

New Interpretive Signage  With generous grant funding and extensive collaboration from the California State Coastal Conservancy, a series of new educational signs were installed across the interior of Catalina Island. The signs enhance the overall guest experience for visitors and residents, educating them about Catalina's natural and cultural history and increasing awareness of the Conservancy's mission and the importance of preserving and protecting the Island.

Trailhead Building Progress  Progress on the Conservancy's new visitor center in Avalon nears completion. 2018 was a productive year in the construction progress and only finishing touches remain. We are excited to welcome Toyon Grill by Bluewater in the second-floor restaurant space. We appreciate the tremendous support of this historic Conservancy project and look forward to celebrating its opening in Spring 2019.

562.437.8555 • www.catalinaconservancy.org CATALINA ISLAND CONSERVANCY • PO Box 2739 • Avalon, CA 90704

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