As the 2006 summer begins to wane, our Island foxes continue their slow path toward recovery, aided by numerous efforts by the Conservancy and its partners... (SEE the recovery effort in photos by clicking the link below that will take you to our "Isla Earth" website and fox PHOTO GALLERY. Read more about Isla Earth a bit later in this edition.)

A Conservancy Reserve Ranger now living in Big Bear Lake is the big winner. Bob Kopolow and his wife Suzie are the first winners of the Conservancy Update ONLINE drawing. The couple won two tickets and backstage passes to the recent Donavon Frankenreiter concert at Descanso Beach to benefit The Friends of Avalon Bay. In addition they, were presented with a Fender Resonator electric guitar signed by the artist. Bob won the VIP package by participating in a Conservancy Update ONLINE drawing, the first of many promotions that will be offered to subscribers of this new online newsletter. Photo: Bob and Suzie Kopolow relax at Little Harbor.

Dr. Carlos de la Rosa, the Conservancys Chief Conservation and Education Officer, was recognized by his peers at the recent Annual Conference of the Ecological Society of America (ESA) in Memphis, Tennessee. The society selects a few scientists to feature at their annual meetings as inspiration to students and professionals in the field of ecology. Also recognized was Claudia Lewis, a consultant for the Conservancy, who received this years ESA Odum Education Award for excellence in ecology teaching. She began working on Catalina with the Conservancy's education program in late August, and will continue through September. Join us in congratulating Carlos de la Rosa and Claudia Lewis for the recognition they received. Photo: Claudia Lewis and Carlos de la Rosa by the Mississippi River in Memphis, Tennessee.

The beautiful and unique Wrigley Memorial and Botanical Garden nestled into Avalon Canyon is a memorable stop for any guest to the Island. In keeping with our desire to make the Garden accessible to as many people as possible, we are now offering a new senior (55 years and up) reduced admission rate of only $3.00 per persona savings of $2.00! In addition, for the month of September families with children 12-18 will find savings here as well. For every adult admission, two children 12-18 be admitted with the coupon below at NO CHARGE. (Note: If you're a member of the Conservancy at the $65 level, admission for two is always free!) Come rediscover the beautiful, relaxing experience of the Wrigley Garden and the spectacular Memorial itself. Many folks remark that the views from the Memorial tower are the best views in Avalon! Photo: Spectacular view from the Wrigley Memorial.

Melissa Soto and Diana Rios, are two of the Conservancys youngest but very active volunteers. Melissa, (daughter of Jose Soto, Conservancy Building and Road Maintenance Crew Member) brought her friend Diana to volunteer at the Conservancy House in mid-August and theyve been kept busy ever since. At just 9-years old, they have the energy to do just about anything regardless of the job. Their current duty is shredding paper. Bags upon bags of shredded paper are proof of their tireless efforts. Although both girls are going back to school in September, they plan on making a beeline to the Conservancy House after school to continue to help out. When the Conservancy needs a little help with a task, these two enterprising young women are the answer! Photo: Melissa Soto (left) and Diana Rios

The Catalina Island Conservancy has for years pioneered some of the most inventive approaches to conservation, most recently, a recovery plan to save the Catalina Island fox. Because of the quality of our work, the Conservancy became the first recipient of an Annenberg Blue Plant Foundation grant. The Annenberg Foundation, long devoted to excellence in communications, entrusted the grant to the Conservancy so that we could share the good news of conservation near and far. The result is Isla Earth ("Island" Earth), an informative and entertaining radio series, podcast, website and news digest launched earlier this year. The broadcast series is heard on more than 200 radio stations in the United States and abroad. The website links back to the Conservancy site, and is a tool for the environmentally minded and those interested in what they can do to help conserve the Earths limited resources. It features the Isla Earth episode of the day that you can listen to on your computer, and a database of past episodes and their Discovery Links to additional information, searchable by topic. Soon, youll be receiving your first Isla Earth e-Digest which will be delivered monthly as the Conservancys gift to our family of friends and supporters.