Catalina Island is surrounded by water. Not only that, but the water that first arrives as rain, runs through the Island to feed lakes and reservoirs, to gurgle and splash in creeks and washes, to collect into pools and salinas, and to form wetlands and feed springs.

All of this salt, fresh and brackish water form edges with the land, where life takes a grand stand. Many organisms live and thrive in this water-land interface. Their lives are complex, extraordinary and even bizarre. Join Dr. Carlos de la Rosa the Conservancy's Chief Conservation and Education Officer, get on your virtual knees, and explore the edges of this watery terrain, discovering the protagonists and the stories that take place at the water's edge.

Click on the link below.

Photo: Male and female non-biting midges

Photo by Dr. Carlos de la Rosa

Be sure to save the date for the 13th Annual Conservancy Ball, Saturday, April 12, 2008. The formal Ball, themed "Earth, Wind and Fire," will be held in the beautiful Avalon Casino.

"Earth, Wind and Fire," was chosen for the annual gala to underscore the Conservancy's mission, and feature the natural wonders of the Island.

Earth incorporates the land, the animals, the Island's geology, the plant life, and the hikers, bikers and campers that use the land.

Wind represents the air that surrounds the Island and supports bird life and various endemic insects. Also represented is our strong boating community and the pilots and visitors who travel by plane to the Airport in the Sky.

Fire highlights a focus on the re- growth of the Island's plant communities after the recent fire.

Due to the growing popularity of the Conservancy Ball over the past several years, many people have been left on the waiting list.

Please invest in a sponsorship, and you and your guests will be guaranteed tickets. General ticket sales of remaining tickets will not start until late February.

For information about sponsorships and to donate auction items, please call Jen Poyer, Conservancy Special Events Supervisor, at (562) 437-8555 ext. 231.

Photo: The world-famous Avalon Casino.

Put on your running shoes, load those carbs, and join participants from around the country on Saturday, November 17th for the First Annual Catalina Eco Marathon presented by Competitor Magazine.

Experience the Island's majestic valleys, sweeping vistas, and incredible views. You may see grazing bison, bald eagles, the endemic Catalina Island quail, and possibly even a Catalina Island fox, in an event you will not want to miss.

Proceeds will go to benefit the Conservancy's Trail Project.

For more information on this first annual experience, click on the link below, or call (909) 399-3553.

Image: Catalina Marathon logo

More than 50 Leadership Circle members, their families and guests cruised around Catalina Island earlier this summer on a unique voyage of discovery.

As they got their sea legs aboard the Catalina Duchess, the guests learned more about what makes Catalina a very special place under the entertaining and informative tutelage of a distinguished group of experts.

The speakers included:

Dr. Tony Michaels, Director of the USC Wrigley Institute for Environmental Sciences. He spoke about the marine biology of the coastal waters.

Dr. Carlos de la Rosa, Chief Conservation and Education Officer for the Conservancy, spoke about Catalina ecology and natural history.

Dr. Mark Legg, President, Legg Geophysical, who spoke about Catalina's geology.

The all-day outing included a delicious assortment of gourmet sandwiches, a variety of fresh salads, and an array of decadent deserts.

Thanks to Don Beaumont, of Classic Catalina Cruises, and his staff including Ryan Palmer and Cathy Aguilar for all their help to make this event possible.

Conservancy supporters who qualify to be a part of the Leadership Circle have opportunities to meet with nationally renowned scientists, learn firsthand about Catalina conservation projects, attend special events, and discuss with Conservancy leadership issues of importance to Catalina Island.

To learn how to qualify for the Conservancy's Leadership Circle, please call (562) 437-8555 ext. 225 and speak with Chuck Wright.

Photos: (top, from left) Dr. Ann Muscat, Conservancy President and CEO welcomes Carlos de la Rosa, Mark Legg and Tony Michaels.

A good time is had by all aboard the Catalina Duchess.

Photos by: Jack Baldelli

It is always a good day to lend your time and talents to the Conservancy Volunteer Department.

Current opportunities include:

• Land Bird Monitoring - October 12-14. We need 4WD drivers and data takers. (If you would like to be 4WD trained, that is easily accommodated)
• Seed Sowing - We will be growing a selection of hardy beach dune plants at the James H. Ackerman Native Plant Nursery
• Mornings at the Nursery - Watering and various jobs every Thursday morning at the James H. Ackerman Native Plant Nursery. Transportation provided.
• Windward Beach Clean-Up - Help clean up debris on our four windward beaches. Supplies, refreshments and transportation provided.

For more information, please e-mail Volunteer Coordinator Lesly Lieberman at LLieberman@catalinaconservancy.org, or call ( 310) 510-2595 ext. 112.

Photo: Beach clean-up volunteers take a break.

Photo by Matthew Sutton

Last month, Conservancy Benefactor Bob Given was honored by family, friends and colleagues for more than 40 years on Catalina where he immersed himself in both terrestrial and marine biology.

Conservancy President and CEO Ann Muscat praised Given as being at "ground zero" during the formation of the Wrigley Marine Science Center at Big Fishermans Cove at the Isthmus 42 years ago, and during the formation of the Catalina Island Conservancy 35 years ago. "He helped imagine both of these organizations and because of that, leaves an indelible mark on Catalina Island - this place that brings all of us together in so many special ways."

The gathering was held at Casa del Monte in Avalon, the original home of P.K. Wrigley, son of Ada and William Wrigley Jr., and now the home of Geoff and Alison Wrigley Rusack.

In an interview, Bob told the Conservancy Update ONLINE that he was no stranger to Casa del Monte.

"I was invited up there several times by Mr. (Philip Knight) Wrigley who was very interested in what was going on at the Marine Lab. I'd take my slide projector and show him the latest projects we were working on.

"Mr. Wrigley enjoyed the mechanical stuff we used at the lab like diving gear, microscopes and many of the tools we used to collect specimens. To return the favor, he'd take me out to the garage and show me his latest automobile. He'd proudly lift up the hood like I knew what was under there!

"Mr. Wrigley's favorite phrase was 'I want Catalina to be a living laboratory.' He really wanted grad students, biology majors and researchers from across the country looking for somewhere new to go. He was very interested in having them know what was going on here on Catalina."

At the tribute, Bob Given was honored by the Conservancy which unveiled the $300,000 Robert Given Fund for Ocean Conservation that will be the source of funding for all of the Conservancy's educational outreach and research activities related to the ocean.

To further honor Bob, it was announced that a new species of anemome in the genus Epizoanthus will be named for him.

Photo: Bob Given enjoys his day.

Photo by Jack Baldelli