1 / 22

Santa Catalina Island

The Galapagos of the U.S. Santa Catalina Island. Presented by: Margee Haines, Bruce Rudy, Nuyi Tao. Santa Catalina Facts. Volcanic Island, 22-miles from CA 50,000 acres Widest diversity of plants and animals among Channel Islands Economic, recreational, and scientific uses.

bathsheba
Download Presentation

Santa Catalina Island

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript


  1. The Galapagos of the U.S. Santa Catalina Island Presented by: Margee Haines, Bruce Rudy, Nuyi Tao

  2. Santa Catalina Facts • Volcanic Island, 22-miles from CA • 50,000 acres • Widest diversity of plants and animals among Channel Islands • Economic, recreational, and scientific uses

  3. Ecology of Santa Catalina • Rugged mountains, shallow soils, and an arid climate • Habitat diversity: coastal-sage scrub, grasslands, oak woodland, dunes, and beaches • High plant and animal diversity as well as endemism

  4. Santa Catalina Land Use Facts Private Ownership (1%) Santa Catalina Island Company (11%) Santa Catalina Conservancy (88%)

  5. Historic Human Impacts • Introduction of exotic Plants and Animals • Catalina Thistle, Fennel • Bison, Goats, Pigs, Mule Deer • Livestock and Mining Operations • Disruption of Native Plants • Stream Sedimentation • Erosion • Hydraulic Alteration

  6. Threat #1: Human Impacts • Resident population of 4,000; 1,000,000 visitors per year. • Avalon residential development • Over 200 miles of roads

  7. Threat #2: Invasive Species • Biggest long-term challenge • >30% plant species aren’t native • Threaten natural diversity • Out-compete natives

  8. Threat #3: Sensitive Species • Catalina Island Fox • Bald Eagles • Catalina Mahogany • Beechey Ground Squirrel • Rattleless Rattlesnake • Santa Catalina Monkey Flower

  9. The Santa Catalina Conservancy • Established in 1972 by Wrigley family • Acquired 88% of Island in 1975 (42,000 acres) • Funded by membership dues, large donors and revenue producing operations Mission: To maintain the health of the Island’s species by preserving and restoring habitat and allowing ecological processes to function without major human intervention for future generation.

  10. Conservancy Partnerships • Local Organizations • Local and National chapters of the Sierra Club • Eagles' Nest Lodge • AmeriCorps NCCC west region • The Catalina Island Women’s Forum • Volunteer Naturalist Corps • Local Universities • University of Southern California • University of Reno - Geology

  11. Conservancy Structure • Board of Directors elected by life members • 50 paid staff including 4-person Administrative Office • Informal Consultation from Business and Recreational Users • Formal Consultation from County and State Agencies • Recruitment of Volunteers

  12. Conservancy Goals • Goal #1: Conservation • Habitat Restoration • Control Invasive Species • Maintenance of Native Animals (Island Fox Breeding Program)

  13. Conservancy Goals (cont.) • Goal #2: Education • Natural History Programs • Outings and Workshops • School Programs

  14. Bicycle Map Conservancy Goals (cont.) • Goal #3: Recreation • Hiking • Camping • Biking • Jeep Eco-Tours • Horseback riding

  15. Activities and Projects • Native Plant Nursery • Hayfield Restoration • Island Fox Breeding Program • Rare and Endangered Plant Monitoring

  16. Research • Scientific Research • Established understanding of Island’s biophysical processes • Used to begin restoration process

  17. Monitoring • Plant or vegetation monitoring • Invasive Weed Mapping • Rare Plant Population Searches and Mapping • Island Vegetation Map • Wetland plant communities • Land Bird surveys • Understand how birds and other animals are responding to changes in the island's vegetation

  18. Obstacles • Staff members • Lack background/ education in conservation issues • Lack awareness of island’s unique ecology

  19. Obstacles (cont.) • Tourism • Public/resident-lack of concern and education • Need more coordination of restoration activities

  20. Opportunities • Support from top management • Reasonable funding • Huge population in Southern CA to Volunteer • Expand Partnerships with Research Universities

  21. Future of the Island • The Galapagos of the U.S. • Multiple Opportunities exist • Success through Collaboration

  22. Conservancy Report Card

More Related