Catalina Island Conservancy

As tourism boomed on Catalina in the early 20th century, one family had the foresight to protect the island from overdevelopment. Their vision paved the way for today’s Catalina Island Conservancy, a non-profit stewarding nearly 90% of Catalina as a wildlife sanctuary.

The Conservancy’s mission is to preserve this ecological gem for future generations, from saving endangered species to maintaining Catalina’s unspoiled wildlands. As Catalina’s largest landholder, the Conservancy carefully manages recreation, education programs, conservation science, and restoration initiatives across 42,000 acres. 

Catalina in the Early 1900s 

In 1919, chewing gum magnate William Wrigley Jr. acquired a controlling interest in the Santa Catalina Island Company, which owned nearly all of Catalina. Wrigley invested millions to transform Catalina into his ideal of a resort destination playground. 

Wrigley’s ambitious building campaign resulted in landmarks like the Art Deco Casino, lush botanical gardens, Avalon’s famous tile-lined staircases, and the iconic Catalina Country Club golf course. Tourism was thriving, but the unchecked development impacted the fragile island ecosystem.

By the 1960s, overbuilding, introduced wildlife like buffalo, mining, non-native plants, and hordes of tourists had severely degraded natural habitats and driven certain endemic species to the brink. Even the island fox, Catalina’s mascot, barely had 100 individuals left by the 1970s. It became clear that saving Catalina’s native biodiversity required intervention.

The Wrigleys Establish a Conservancy

In 1972, Philip K. Wrigley – son of William Wrigley Jr. – did something revolutionary. Along with his wife and sister, he founded and endowed the Catalina Island Conservancy as a non-profit land trust to prioritize preservation. Just 3 years later, in 1975, the Wrigley family deeded 42,000 acres – 88% of Catalina – to the Conservancy for permanent stewardship. 

This momentous gift from the island’s owners marked a turning point – a shift from unchecked development to considered conservation of Catalina’s natural and cultural heritage. The Wrigleys’ donation included rugged interior tracts with breathtaking coastal vistas, oak-filled valleys, and Santa Catalina’s highest peak, Mt. Orizaba, at 2,097 feet.

The young Conservancy embraced its mandate to restore habitats, protect endemic flora and fauna, and balance responsible recreational access. Thanks to the Wrigleys’ forward-thinking gift, the Conservancy had an exceptional opportunity to rewrite Catalina’s future.

Restoring Catalina’s Fragile Ecosystems

Armed with expansive wilderness to manage, the Conservancy spent its first decades focused on comprehensive restoration efforts. Early priorities included establishing a nursery to cultivate and reintroduce native plant species decimated by introduced grazing animals.

Conservancy biologists also commenced programs to recover Catalina’s most endangered endemic animals, such as the Island Fox, bald eagle, and Catalina orchid. Fox numbers rebounded from under 100 to over 1,500 today thanks to captive breeding and vaccinations against canine distemper. After disappearing from Catalina for over 60 years, the iconic bald eagle was successfully reintroduced.

On the human side, the Conservancy made strides in reducing degradation from unchecked recreational access and poor trail alignment. Habitats are recovering through strategic closures, rerouting unsustainable trails, and requiring hiking permits.

Balancing Tourism, Recreation, and Conservation 

Today, tourism is vital to Catalina’s economy, which has over a million visitors annually. The Conservancy has the complex mission of facilitating access while shielding fragile areas hosting rare plants or nesting seabirds. Permits, fees, and patrols deter detrimental behaviors like going off-trail or collecting native species.

The eco-minded Trailhead Education Program operates visitor centers that teach low-impact hiking and camping best practices. Under the Guiding Principles of managing visitor capacity, focusing development in existing areas, and monitoring impacts, the Conservancy charts a prudent path between recreation, tourism, and conservation. 

Thanks to sustainable policies limiting planes, boats, cars, and human activity to what the island can reasonably accommodate, the Conservancy helps tourism and nature flourish in harmony.

Understanding Catalina’s Unique Ecology

With 50+ endemic plant and animal species – found nowhere else on Earth – Catalina has special biodiversity worth studying.

The Conservancy runs an active research department investigating topics like:

• Plant ecology – rare orchids, competing non-natives 
• Wildlife biology – foxes, bison herd management
• Fire ecology – using controlled burns to germinate seeds
• Hydrology and water resources – removing sedimentation and securing scarce freshwater 

Field scientists use GPS tracking, camera traps, vegetation mapping, drone surveys, seed collection, and genetic sampling to inform adaptive management decisions under the Conservancy’s science-based stewardship model.

Monitoring provides insights into challenges like climate change, drought, wildfires, and invasives to protect Catalina’s irreplaceable ecosystems. Findings are shared to advance island conservation globally.

Inspiring Future Generations to Protect Catalina

Expanding beyond fences and policies, the Conservancy believes inspiring new generations is vital to its conservation mission. The free Catalina Island Camps introduce over 6,000 youth annually to nature through hiking, snorkeling, kayaking, and camping. Students learn about endemic species and why promoting biodiversity matters.

At the Island’s Wrigley Memorial Botanic Garden, 40,000 annual visitors enjoy guided walking tours and exhibits highlighting Catalina’s diverse flora and preservation. Virtual field trips and school partnerships also engage over 3,500 students yearly in island ecology and the Conservancy’s work.

Through education initiatives, the Conservancy seeds future environmental stewards who will hopefully continue preserving this exceptional SoCal refuge.

Visiting Catalina’s Wilderness Responsibly

Part of experiencing Catalina is encountering its untamed wildlands with care.

The Conservancy shares guidelines and safety precautions for low-impact recreation:

• Stay on marked trails: This protects native plants and prevents erosion of fragile soils.
• Pack out all trash: Leave no trace – take everything you brought onto the island off again.
• Observe wildlife from a distance: Never approach, feed, or disturb animals like foxes and bison.
• Prevent wildfires: Most fires are human-caused, so exercise caution with permitted campfires. 
• Limit noise pollution: Keep voices and music volumes low to avoid disturbing wildlife.
• Avoid collecting rocks, plants, shells, or animals: Taking natural items harms Catalina’s ecosystems.

Together, through education, permitting, enforcement, and monitoring, the Catalina Island Conservancy stewards every inch of its land trust to allow humans and wildlife to thrive on the “Island of the Blue Dolphins.”

Recreation and Tourism

Catalina Island offers a range of outdoor activities that cater to nature enthusiasts and casual visitors alike. Your experience can include everything from serene hikes to exhilarating zip lines, ensuring a unique blend of adventure and relaxation.

Hiking and Biking Trails

Catalina Island Conservancy maintains an extensive network of trails, allowing visitors to explore the island’s diverse ecosystems. The Trans-Catalina Trail stands out, spanning over 38.5 miles and offering stunning panoramic views. Designated routes are also available for biking enthusiasts. However, remember that permits are required for hiking and biking, which you can obtain through the Conservancy.

Camping and Accommodations

For a closer encounter with nature, you can choose from several campgrounds managed by the Conservancy. Hermit Gulch Campground is the closest to Avalon and provides amenities such as BBQs and showers. More remote options include Black Jack Campground and Little Harbor Campground. If you prefer more comfort, consider the hotels and vacation rentals in Avalon and Two Harbors.

Guided Tours and Activities

Beyond self-led excursions, Catalina Island Conservancy offers a variety of guided tours. You can embark on a Jeep Eco Tour to learn about local wildlife or explore the island’s history with a guided walk. For an adrenaline rush, the Zip Line Eco Tour provides an aerial view of the canyons and coves. Book these activities in advance to ensure availability.

The Conservancy’s Next 50 Years on the Island 

Thanks to Philip K. Wrigley’s momentous land donation 50 years ago, generations have enjoyed unspoiled views from Catalina’s wind-swept interior. As the Conservancy enters its next half century, its mission is as vital as ever.

With tourism rebounding post-pandemic, the Conservancy is expanding programs to orient visitors to cherishing, not harming, Catalina’s bounty. Their conservation work continues, from breeding foxes and bald eagles to removing invasive plants and restoring tributaries.

The Conservancy still has ambitious goals for enhancing habitats, building climate resilience, completing the island-wide botanical survey, and deepening research around human impacts. With support from donors, grants, fees, volunteers, and partners, they have the resources and passion to achieve Catalina’s ongoing recovery.

Fifty years ago, the Wrigleys helped Catalina turn the tide by entrusting its wilderness to the Conservancy’s care. Thanks to their foresight, generations will enjoy Catalina’s culture, history, and ecology.

Still have questions? Check out these answers to some commonly asked questions. 

Who is the owner of Catalina Island?

The majority of Catalina Island is owned by the Catalina Island Conservancy. This non-profit land trust was deeded 42,000 acres (88%) of the island in 1975 by the Wrigley family and Catalina Island Company. The Catalina Island Company, founded by the Wrigleys, still owns and operates the tourist town of Avalon.

Is it expensive to live on Catalina Island?

Yes, the cost of living on Catalina Island is generally quite high compared to the mainland. Groceries, housing, utilities, and other expenses run higher due to the added costs of transporting goods to the remote island location. Limited housing inventory also drives up purchase and rental prices.

Why can’t you own a car on Catalina Island?

Cars are restricted on Catalina Island to preserve the area’s small-town ambiance, reduce pollution, and limit disturbances to wildlife habitats. There is limited road infrastructure, and over 80% of the island is undeveloped land owned by the Catalina Island Conservancy. Residents get around via shuttle, golf cart, bike, or walking. Visitors can book tours or bring bikes to the island.

What types of tours does the Catalina Island Conservancy provide?

The Conservancy provides educational and eco tours, including guided hikes, Jeep tours, and the opportunity to see the island’s flora and fauna. Detailed information and booking options are on the conservancy’s tours page.

Where can I find the contact details or address for the Catalina Island Conservancy?

If you have inquiries about the conservancy, you can direct them to their official contact information on their website. This information includes phone numbers, email addresses, and the physical address for visitors or correspondence.