Santa Catalina Island Conservancy

    With its rolling hills, uninhabited cliffs and natural beauty, Catalina Island stands in stark contrast to the rampant development on the Southern California mainland. Although it is only 26 miles from one of the largest metropolises in the world, thanks to the stewardship of the Santa Catalina Island Conservancy, only a tiny percentage of the island shows any sign of human habitation.

   Formed in 1972 by the Wrigley family, the Conservancy was charged with preserving the island in its natural state for perpetuity. In 1975, the family deeded more than 42,000 island acres to the newly formed organization and developed its mission, which is to balance conservation, education and recreational uses on the island.

    Conservation continues to be the Conservancy’s most important purpose. In Avalon, visitors can find an example of that purpose at the Wrigley Memorial and Botanical Garden, where native plants are showcased alongside exotic succulents. Catalina is home to a number of plants that are found nowhere else on earth, and much of the Conservancy’s work is spent eliminating introduced plants in order to give the native plants a better chance at long-term survival.

   Working hand-in-hand with another organization, the Institute for Wildlife Studies, the Conservancy has already ensured the long-term survival of two animal species whose future on the island was in doubt. Bald eagles once again make their homes in the skies above the Catalina and Island foxes will continue to forage on its hills and valleys, thanks to the efforts of the two organizations.

   The Conservancy’s 42,000 acres represent about 86 percent of an island that is visited by more than 1 million visitors a year. Those visitors represent an ideal opportunity for the Conservancy to share its mission of education.

   Visits to the Wrigley Memorial and Botanical Garden are just one way for the organization to share the wonders of the island. The Conservancy also immerses families in the island through its Volunteer Vacations, hosts monthly natural history programs and operates nature centers in Avalon Canyon and at the Airport in the Sky. Thousands of school children, including those on the island, also take part in a number of Conservancy education programs every year.

   Recreation is the final point in the Conservancy’s triangular mission. Hundreds of miles of trails and more than 50 miles of coastline form the backbone of the organization’s recreational opportunities. Camping, hiking and biking are some of the many ways that visitors explore the island’s trails and coastline. Permits and trail maps for hiking and biking are available in Avalon at Conservancy House, the organization’s administrative offices, located on the corner of Claressa Avenue and Third Street.

   Visitors who would like to combine recreation, conservation and education can book a ride on the Conservancy’s Jeep Eco-Tours. Available for two-hour, half-day and full-day trips, these four-wheel drive adventures feature a fascinating look at the island’s most dramatic landscapes as well as an insiders’ look at the Conservancy’s work.

   For more information about the Santa Catalina Island Conservancy or to make a financial contribution, visit www.CatalinaConservancy.org.