Volunteers are one of the most valuable resources the Catalina Island Conservancy has in its efforts to protect and restore one of the world's most magnificent islands. As a volunteer, you'll learn about the unique ecology of Santa Catalina Island, give back to the environment, and have some fun all at the same time.

Come on, we're wasting light—we've got a full day ahead of us! See a photo gallery of volunteer fun.

Yee Haw!....The 2nd Annual Catalina Hoe Down, a rootin', tootin' good time for the entire family, rolls into Avalon on Saturday and Sunday May 19th and 20th.

Purchasing tickets is easy! Just click here.

For additional information, visit the official Hoe Down Website.

After May 18th: tickets will be sold ONLY at the Hoe Down gate located at the Nature Center at Avalon Canyon, 1202 Avalon Canyon Road, Avalon CA 90704.

Tickets to the event in Avalon Canyon: Adults - $20; Children - $10 (age 12 and under) Transportation from Avalon to the Hoe Down is included in ticket price.

Transportation from/to Avalon is available by boat (Catalina Express ~ 310- 510-1212) and by Helicopter (Island Express ~ 1-800-2-Avalon) For recorded information, call (310) 510- 2595 ext.122.

Proceeds from the 2007 Hoe-down will help restore historic Eagle's Nest Lodge on Catalina Island, one of the last surviving stage coach stops in the United States.

The 2nd Catalina Hoe Down is proudly sponsored by the Catalina Island Saddle Club, the Catalina Island Museum, the Wild Western Festival, Western Destinations/Catalina Stables, and the Catalina Island Conservancy. CBS2/KCAL9 is the event's official media sponsor.

Photo: TC Thorstenson riding the world famous Harvey Wallbanger

Five hundred and twenty five guests from across the Southland braved gale-force winds and small craft warnings to cross the San Pedro Channel to attend the 12th Annual Catalina Conservancy Ball, hosted by the San Diego Yacht Club, on Saturday, April 14 in the beautiful, historic Avalon Casino Ballroom.

The ball grossed more than $460,000, with net proceeds going to the conservation and restoration of Catalina Island's wildlands, including its rare native plant communities, and continuing protection and monitoring of the federally endangered Catalina Island fox.

"We are extremely grateful to the San Diego Yacht Club," said Dr. Ann M. Muscat, Conservancy President. "We are also appreciative for the support of all the Yacht Clubs that have taken on the challenge to host the ball for the previous 11 years."

Muscat especially thanked Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc., for its generous donation of a 2007 Prius sedan hybrid won by Bill Halladay of Corona Del Mar.

Photo: Dance floor at the Avalon Casino Ballroom

More than 700 Islanders and visitors made their way up to the Wrigley Memorial & Botanical Garden on Saturday, April 21 for the annual Conservancy Earth Day Celebration and Eco Fair.

Veggie burgers were flipped, organic fruits and vegetables were set out, a Catalina Island fox frolicked, beautiful tide pool creatures allowed themselves to be touched, while live music from local artists echoed down the canyon under a brilliant blue sky.

Aaron Morehouse, Earth Day Coordinator, praised the "many hands" of volunteers, exhibitors and musicians who lent their talents to spotlight the right choices we all can make to help sustain our environment whether on the Island or on the mainland.

"Everyone learned about the dangers of invasive plants, and how fragile life is just off our shore. Visitors learned more about the plight of the endangered Catalina Island fox, and how to reuse and recycle items we use everyday," he said.

Visitors were given rides from the Nature Center at Avalon Canyon to the Garden in the Conservancy's electric Toyota Rav-4 vehicles. The utensils used to eat the free potluck lunch weren't plastic, but "bioplastics" made entirely of easily biodegradable potato starch. The "plastic" cups were really made out of corn.

The Conservancy wishes to thank the following volunteers and exhibitors who made this a truly meaningful event:

• Americorps*NCCC
• Dr. Carlos de la Rosa
• Catalina Island Organic Cooperative
• Catalina Environmental Leadership Program (CELP)
• Catalina Island Marine Institute (CIMI)
• Conservancy Volunteers
• Rich (Mr. Z) Zanelli
• Kristen Anderson & Claudia Nocke
• John Knapp & Adam Coleman
• Julie King, Calvin Duncan & Tachi
• Katie Langin, Chris Rotta, Hannah Montag and Jongmin Yoon—Orange Crowned Warbler Project
• Mike Beaman and George Hernandez
• Conservancy Volunteer Naturalists Richard Pelouze and Laurie Hill
• Catalina Transportation
• Kelly Callaghan-Skoff, David and Deanna Skoff
• Meriam Djelidi, Mary Stein, Porschia Denning, Aaron Morehouse, Jaye Rhodes, Vern Altieri, Olas Burges,Travis Langen, and Bill Agresta

Photo: The CIMI touch tank allowed visitors to get a feel for the fragile creatures off Catalina's shores.

Whether you are planning a wedding, commitment ceremony, religious confirmation or other special event, please consider having it at a location stewarded by the Catalina Island Conservancy which protects and restores the Island's magnificent wildlands.

By holding your special day at one of our 10 unique locations, you are helping to protect Catalina's most beautiful places for today and for future generations.

And when you book one of our locations, you will receive a complimentary membership with the Conservancy at the Explorer Level (a $65 value) for a full year.

It's our way of saying thank you for your support, and joining in the celebration of your milestone event.

Photo: A happy couple overlooking the Botanical Garden from the Wrigley Memorial.

Helen Renton practically grew up on Catalina Island. No wonder — her father, David Renton, is the son of Malcolm Renton, the first President of the Catalina Island Conservancy.

Malcolm Renton, right-hand man to P.K. Wrigley, who formed the Conservancy, was the son of D.M. Renton, William Wrigley's General Manager of the Island Company, and contractor for the Wrigley Mansion, Avalon Casino, Wrigley Memorial, and just about every other major building in Avalon.

Earlier this year, Helen, a Social Anthropology major at Harvard University visited the Island with her friend, Alana Van Loen, also attending Harvard and majoring in Archeological Anthropology.

As part of their trip, they were treated to a wild Jeep Eco-Tour with Fred Freeman, driver and naturalist, at the wheel.

Helen resides in Greenwhich, Connecticut with her father David and mother Kathleen.

Photo: Helen Renton, Fred Freeman and Alana Van Loen after their tour.

Herman Saldaña's father Martin Saldaña, came to Catalina in the early 1920s. The elder Saldaña answered an advertisement from the Santa Catalina Island Company asking for workers to help build the Casino and the serpentine walls along Crescent Street among other project.

"I was one of seven brothers and four sisters," Herman says. "Nobody left the Island."

He remembers one of his first jobs at a little curio shop in Avalon. "My job was to unwrap all of the little knick knacks from the shipping cartons, and peel off the 'Made in Taiwan' stickers. I'd replace them with a decal saying 'Souvenir of Catalina.'"

Herman worked on the "salad boats" for the Island Company, clearing seaweed out of the harbor. Of course, he was one of the locals who would dive for coins tossed by visitors as the Big White Steamer arrived in Avalon.

His first job with the Conservancy was in 1972 to tend the first conservation and recreation easement provided to the Conservancy — 400 acres encompassing what is now Blackjack Campground.

"We'd go up there on weekends and take firewood to the campers. Then on Monday mornings, we would go back and clean up the campgrounds."

Herman said he has fond memories of his boss, Malcolm Renton. "His word was gold," Herman said. "If he asked for something to be done, it was done."

Photo: Herman Saldaña