Look around on Catalina. You'll find the Island is full of holes! What are they? What made them? What secrets lie within?

Find out The (W)hole Story -- Story & Photo Gallery on our Isla Earth Website

Catalina Island fox 22B06, the father of ?Ne Shun Tachi? (?Little Girl of Hope?) the Conservancy?s beloved educational fox, was successfully released from the Conservancy's captive breeding facility on October 31, 2006.

As a result of the canine distemper outbreak in 1999, Tachi?s dad was brought into captivity as part of the captive breeding population from 2001-2004. After a tireless career of siring and parenting pups, he was released back to the wild in 2004, only to be found two months later with serious injuries from other territorial male foxes.

He was brought back into captivity where Dr. Winston Vickers treated his injuries and performed numerous surgeries over the next year to stabilize the fox?s right foot.

In May 2006, the fox was returned to the captive breeding facility where he could strengthen his foot and transition back to a natural diet (live prey and cactus fruit).

Dr. Vickers gave Tachi?s dad the green light for release this fall, but before returning Fox 22B06 back to his 2005 capture site above White?s Landing, he was equipped with a radio-collar so biologists could track his movements and monitor the fox post- release.

Wildlife Biologist Calvin Duncan has been getting daily locations on Tachi?s dad who is doing just fine -- free at last!

By Darcee Guttilla, Catalina Island Conservancy Wildlife Biologist

Help support fox conservation efforts on Catalina Island

Photo: Catalina Island fox 22B06 upon release

On December 7, Conservancy Benefactor and Chair and CEO of the Santa Catalina Island Company, Paxson ?Packy? Offield, was presented the Zoological Society of San Diego?s highest award, the coveted Conservation Medal.

Thompson Fetter, a trustee of the Zoological Society of San Diego and husband of the Catalina Conservancy Board Member Jane Fetter, introduced Packy, noting his long-term involvement with and support of The Peregrine Fund, the Zoological Society of San Diego/Conservation and Research for Endangered Species program, Bat Conservation International, the University of Southern California?s Philip K. Wrigley Marine Science Center on Catalina, and the Offield Center for Billfish Studies, as a partial list.

Ann Muscat, president and CEO of the Catalina Island Conservancy, characterized Packy as ?a dedicated conservationist and philanthropist.? ?Packy has demonstrated his dedication and commitment to the conservation of rare and endangered species and habitats with his involvement over decades and his extreme generosity,? she said.

?Packy has demonstrated an undying commitment to the community on Catalina Island and to conservation causes around the world,? said Ron Doutt, President of the Santa Catalina Island Company. ?He remains at the forefront of efforts to preserve our marine ecosystem. There is no one more deserving of this award.?

Photo: Packy Offield (at right), with Pete Jenny, President, The Peregrine Fund.

When Mary Story moved to the Island 8 years ago, it was only a matter of days before she found her way to Conservancy House and said, ?I want to volunteer! What can I do to help??

Since that time Mary has volunteered in a variety of tasks such as: database entry, driving researchers through the interior, brush clearance, clerical tasks, invasive weed removal, fence walking, Nursery Days, event greeter, hayfield monitoring, feral cat research, Christmas Bird Count, seed collecting, fence removal; and, most notably, her culinary contributions to the Volunteer Vacations Program.

?I believe in what the Conservancy is doing, and being a volunteer is such a rewarding experience!? she says.

Mary actually helped develop the concept of the Volunteer Vacations Program, and has been an integral part of it since. Whether it?s her scrumptious desserts, or her fun stories about her years of volunteering, Mary?s contributions and dedication to the program are greatly appreciated by volunteer vacationers.

?I love working with the visiting volunteers, explaining to them how precious the Island is to us, and how important their work here is!? Mary said.

It seems that volunteerism is in Mary?s blood. She not only contributes many hours to Conservancy projects, she has also volunteered with other organizations such as Habitat for Humanity, Friends of Avalon Library, and Casa Colina Rehab Center, among others. We sure are glad Mary enjoys volunteering!

By: LeeAnn Human, Individual Volunteer Coordinator

Photo: Mary Story

Become a Conservancy Volunteer

A T-Mobile Blackberrry. An empty bottle of "Thomas Edison Special Motor Oil" from the 1920s. A brass ship's bell. A 1903 Indian head penny.

These and other odd, unusual, or just plain worthless items were brought up by divers at the 25th Annual Avalon Harbor Cleanup.

There's still time to register for the 26th Annual event on Saturday, February 24, 2007, and join more than 500 divers in the quest for gold, or garbage, depending on how you look at it.

There will be plenty of prizes and plenty of fun.

All proceeds go to the Catalina Conservancy Divers and the Catalina Hyperbaric Chamber.

More information and registration here!

Photo: T-Mobile Blackberry, winner of last year's Electrical/Electronic Category. Brought to the surface by Diver Mark Sewell.

A new page on the Catalina Conservancy Website is dedicated to giving you plenty of tips on how to plan a "green" wedding or event -- especially on Catalina!

Organic food, flowers and fabrics are available on the mainland and the Island. This new Web page will give you all the details. You'll also learn about green gifts and even the best camera's to use.

The Conservancy has several venues for you to plan your special day.

We at the Conservancy hope that your special day will be a "green" one!

Click here to learn more.

Q: Who was the Conservancy's first President?

A: Malcom J. Renton was named the Conservancy's first president in 1972. A. Douglas Propst took over as Conservancy President and General Manager in 1975.

Photo: Malcom J. Renton in 1948