The Staff and Board of Directors of the Catalina Island Conservancy wish to thank everyone who came together at a moment's notice to help save Avalon and protect this Island we hold so dear. Your courage, dedication and extraordinary efforts will be forever appreciated.

• City of Avalon Fire Department
• Los Angeles County Fire Department
• California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection
• Orange County Fire Department
• Glendale Fire Department
• Long Beach Fire Department
• Monrovia Fire Department
• Los Angeles County Sheriffs
• Avalon's Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)
• United States Marines - Camp Pendleton Hovercraft
• California Department of Corrections
• City of Avalon Harbor Department
• Santa Catalina Island Company/Catalina Island Resort Services
• Catalina Express
• Southern California Edison
• United States Coast Guard
• United States Forest Service
• United States Navy
• Avalon's Shop Keepers, Hotels & Restaurants
• City of Avalon
• Catalina Island Conservancy Staff & Volunteers

Donate to the Conservancy's Fire Recovery Fund.

Photo: Avalon — 10 p.m., Thursday, May 10 from the Inn at Mt. Ada. Photo by Wayne Griffin, Catalina Chamber of Commerce

Two new guides to Catalina wildlife have just been produced by the Conservancy with "Pocket Naturalist Guides." The species-finder guides are perfect companions for excursions into the Interior, and are now available for sale at Conservancy House in Avalon.

"Birds of Santa Catalina Island" and the "Wildlife of Santa Catalina Island," are wonderful introductions to the endemic, native and non-native species found on Catalina. Each guide has more than 100 full-color, scientifically accurate illustrations labeled with the species common name, scientific name, and approximate maximum size. They are printed on durable, laminated stock, and are perfect for enthusiasts curious about the Island's birds, animals, insects and marine life.

The new guides were researched by Darcee Guttilla, Conservancy Wildlife Biologist; and edited by Kristen L. Andersen, Conservation and Education Projects Coordinator, and Dr. Carlos de la Rosa, Chief Conservation and Education Officer.

The next guide to be published is "Plants of Santa Catalina Island," researched by Denise Knapp, Conservancy Plant Ecologist. Future guides will include: "Marine Life of Santa Catalina Island," and "Invertebrates of Santa Catalina Island."

The guides are affordably priced at $6.95 each.

Pocket Naturalist Guide is a trademark of Waterford Press, publishers of reference guides that introduce novices to travel, languages, science and nature.

On the afternoon of Friday, May 4th, 31 students from Avalon Schools and six adults from the Avalon community set off on a journey that would take them for an extended weekend at Emerald Bay. These intrepid travelers were treated to three days and two nights of amazing weather and a wealth of experiences that they will remember for their lifetimes.

Upon arrival at the Boy Scout camp at Emerald Bay, the group ate a tasty, nutritious pasta dinner. That evening, they explored a secret trail and played active games with host, Kirk Hetherington, Emerald Bay Camp Director.

On Saturday, the group awoke in time for breakfast, and then hiked out of Emerald Bay to Parson's Landing for a few hours of fun on the sand, on the rocks and in the water. After a delicious lunch of chicken sandwiches, they toured the Pennington Marine Science Center at Emerald Bay, and then prepared for a snorkeling expedition. On Saturday evening, the group participated in a campfire, complete with two hilarious skits performed by camp staff. Then, it was off to the commissary for complimentary root beer floats.

Sunday was a flurry of activity. After breakfast, the students enjoyed a kayak trip out of Emerald Bay, then, headed for the archery range to test their abilities with bow and arrow.

After tidying-up the tent-cabins and another fantastic meal, there was still time to explore and play before being transported back to Avalon.

This trip was made possible by the Western Los Angeles County Council - Boy Scouts of America, and the Conservancy.

Photo: Students pose at Emerald Bay Dining Hall.

Despite the brush fire that burned 4,750 acres and charred the hillsides around Avalon, the 2nd Annual Catalina Hoe Down took place as scheduled on May 19th and 20th in Avalon Canyon.

More than1,200 Islanders and visitors enjoyed the music, games, food, booth exhibits and entertainment at the event sponsored by Western Destinations/Catalina Island Stables, the Catalina Island Musuem, the Catalina Island Saddle Club and the Conservancy.

The event generated close to $50,000 for the restoration of Eagles Nest Lodge. Revenues from the event will be augmented by a grant of $76,000 from the California Cultural and Historical Endowment. Eagle's Nest Lodge is one of the West's oldest surviving stage coast stops, and is located near the center of the Island.

"Eagle's Nest Lodge holds a special place in the hearts of many of the Island's residents and visitors", said Wendy Harp, the event coordinator. "We realize that we won't be able to raise enough to fully fund the restoration, but the Hoe Down can help bring that dream a little closer to reality.

"We were concerned about the effect the Catalina fire would have on attendance," Wendy said. "After giving it a lot of thought, the planning committee decided that the Hoe Down might be just the event to help jump-start the community after the fire, and welcome visitors back to the Island."

Wendy especially wanted to thank the Hoe Down sponsors: Catalina Island Saddle Club, the Catalina Island Museum, the Wild Western Festival, Western Destinations/Catalina Stables, and the Catalina Island Conservancy.

Contributions toward the restoration of Eagles Nest Lodge may be made online by clicking here and designating the gift to Eagles Nest Lodge. To donate by mail, click here.

Photo: T.C. Thorstenson and Harvey Wallbanger were crowd pleasers. Photo by Bob Rhein.

As a first-year student at the University of Denver Paxson (Packy) Offield (now a Conservancy Benefactor),was asked by his Uncle Phil (P.K. Wrigley) to spend the summer on Catalina, then write a report on the feasibility of creating a Conservancy.

Here are Packy's rememberances of that summer in 1971:

One day in Cape Canyon Herman Saldaña was running cable around the old steamer pier pilings which were used to make corrals. Being mostly an unskilled laborer, I was put in charge of keeping a spool of metal cable upright while Herman dragged about 200 yards off of it from one of the D-8 Cat's.

Herman was 150 yards away with his back turned to me when the frayed, bitter end of this cable came off the spool, highly torqued, and grabbed my pant leg and bound it tightly. Down I went and I was being dragged upside down by the leg toward a 15-foot high stack of steamer pier pilings. I was definitely going to go under the logs. This was not going to have a happy ending.

Herman, far away, with his back to me and unable to hear me due to the noise from the tractor, had no idea what was happening. I was on my own. Fortunately I carried a knife with me and I began hacking at my pants (and my leg, since the material was cinched tight.) I was busy cutting through the fabric and my leg in equal measure when Herman realized I was down and out of sight. With about 3 feet to spare before I was squashed, he stopped.

Herman, bless his heart, was keeping an eye on me and I will be forever grateful for his sense of safety and caution. I have told him this many times but once again, thank you, Herman.

Photo: Paxson (Packy) Offield, Conservancy Benefactor, and former President of the Santa Catalina Island Company. Photo by Bob Rhein