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The Summer HIKE - First Saturdays May through September |
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Dear Readers,
I'd like to call your attention to two wonderful ways to support the work of the Conservancy, both of which are happening this month.
First, if you're a diver, you'll want to sign up for the Annual Avalon Harbor Cleanup. Proceeds go to support the critical USC Hyperbaric Chamber that saves so many lives at the Wrigley Marine Institute at the Isthmus; and new this year, the Robert Given Fund for Ocean Conservation. Bob is a colleague and a friend. He has personally trained many of our Catalina Conservancy Divers as scientific research divers. Even if you are not diving, come out and cheer them on. The Cleanup is always a lot of fun.
Also, February is the month that individual tickets go on sale for the Catalina Island Conservancy Ball, April 12 in the beautiful Avalon Casino Ballroom. There is still time to become a sponsor and attend the VIP Party before the Ball at Casa del Monte.
You'll find more information about these two opportunities in this newsletter.
Note: Look for valuable coupons especially for our readers at the end of this newsletter.
Photo in banner: More than 500 divers from all over the Southland converged on Catalina last year for the Annual Avalon Harbor Cleanup. This month, on February 23rd, the divers will return bringing up an always surprising collection of items from the bottom of the bay.
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THE CHALLENGE OF THE PHOENIX |
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In the months following the fire of May 10th, 2007, Catalina Island's plants have responded with ages-old strategies shaped by evolution and the unique environment of the Island. Many trees and shrubs--completely scorched by the flames--now have sprouts from their bases. These emerge from the bulbous root systems that were protected by the soil from the rapidly advancing fire.
While the flames consumed their above-ground growth, root systems of many plants survived to start the next generation. Others depended on their long-lived seed banks, dormant for years, or even decades in the soil. In the case of these "fire followers," the heat and smoke triggered the germination of their buried seeds. They then began to sprout onto the desolate landscape to take advantage of the lack of competition, and flourish amidst the new wealth of nutrients in the ashes.
But life is not so simple on Catalina.There are other perils that threaten the new growth's survival. Browsing by non-native mule deer, if severe enough, will kill resprouting and germinating plants. Non-native invasive plant species will also take advantage of the lack of competition and the plentiful nutrients. Many of these invasive non-natives are able to out-compete the native plants, which lack natural defenses against the invaders.
It's a race for survival, and land management practice plays an important role in determining the outcome. Come and explore with our restoration biologists the challenges and successes as our native habitats seek to, like the fabled phoenix, "rise from the ashes."
Bloom here
Photo: Indian Paintbrush
Photo by Carlos de la Rosa |
| 27th Annual Avalon Harbor Cleanup |
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One person's trash is another person's treasure 
An estimated 7,700 pounds of trash--including antiques, oddities and other surprises-- were hauled out of the harbor last year during the Annual Avalon Harbor Cleanup.
And there's still time to join the fun in 2008 as a participant in the 27th Annual event on Saturday, February 23rd. 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 lots of fun. The event is hosted by the Catalina Conservancy Divers, a support group of the Catalina Island Conservancy. Proceeds to go support the new Robert Given Fund for Ocean Conservation and the Catalina Hyperbaric Chamber.
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| RADAR MONITORS SPEED - PROTECTS FOX |
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| Collisions caused 7 fox deaths in 2007
Crosswalks for Catalina Island foxes are probably not practical. But something had to be done, and the Conservancy has another idea.
To protect the 3-to-5-pound foxes from being hit by traffic along the Airport Road and other key routes, the Conservancy has turned to technology: enter, the Island's first mobile radar speed feedback sign.
The solar-powered sign that will be moved to various roadside locations uses radar to monitor oncoming traffic, then displays the vehicle's speed to the driver in bright, easy-to-see numbers.
During 2007, seven foxes died from being hit by vehicles--primarily along Airport Road. According to Conservancy staff, young foxes are not aware of the danger of a car or truck bearing down on them and will typically not get out of the way in time.
"The purpose of the monitor is not to hand out tickets, just to help remind those who drive in the interior to remember to keep their speed down," said Mel Dinkel, Chief Operations Officer for the Conservancy, adding that it will be relocated intermittently to areas where foxes are known to be particularly active.
Dinkel reminds that there are no penalties for hitting a fox, but reporting a downed fox may save its life, and is extremely helpful to the Conservancy's fox recovery team.
Wildlife Biologist Julie King instructs that if the fox is injured, don't attempt to handle or move the animal, which may bite out of self-defense. Use emergency blinkers and call (310) 510-1299, or after hours at (310) 510-1824. If you are out of cell phone range, leave the fox and make the call as soon as possible letting Conservancy personnel know where the fox can be located.
If the fox is dead, "please call anyway," she requests, as a post-mortem examination provides valuable information about the overall health of the foxes. If you can't reach anyone at numbers above, try calling (310) 510-1299 x 227.
Julie reports that during a recent 12-week Island-wide trapping effort, she and fellow Wildlife Biologist Calvin Duncan have estimated the fox population to be 572, up from 509 this time last year.
"The little guys still have a ways to go before they are back to pre-decline numbers (about 1,300), but it's nice that so many people are seeing them regularly again," Julie said.
The fox breeding season is in full swing right now. Courting that "special someone" is about all that the foxes have on their minds at the moment, and they may be oblivious to oncoming traffic, she warned.
Photo: Speed monitoring device reminds motorists to slow down.
Photo by Jack Baldelli |
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CATALINA'S FOXES GET THE LATEST NECKWEAR
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Thanks to all who donated for GPS collars
 Global Propositioning System (GPS) tracking is the latest major development in telemetry, allowing scientiests to more closely monitor wildlife.
Select Catalina Island foxes have now been outfitted with the devices, giving Conservancy staff the ability to monitor their movements in startling detail.
The GPS unit, which weighs only two ounces, can calculate and record the animal's location by time and date at programmed intervals. The high-tech collars are being worn by select Catalina Island foxes both inside and outside the burn area.
Thank You -- A number of caring individuals responded to the Conservancy's request for help purchasing the pricey collars last fall (each costs $1,270).
Those who bought entire collars included:
- John and Nancy Celick (two collars)
- James and Mari McAlister
- John and Julie Dixon
- Todd and Kathy Hallenbeck
- Charles and Patty Hathaway
- Jim and Sally McClure
Those who funded partial collars include:
- Pat and Ave' Herndon
- Richard and Linda Landes
- Martha Thomas
Those who purchased collars received the identity of the fox that is wearing it, and will be updated on the animal's movements as information is gathered.
Photo: Catalina Island fox with GPS collar
Photo by Julie King To make a donation to the Conservancy click here. |
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About Catalina's Bison... |
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| From the Isla Earth radio series
 Once upon a time, tens of millions of bison roamed the Great Plains of North America. Revered by Native Americans for food, clothing, and shelter, they were also considered spiritual beings.
But when European settlers moved west, bison were slaughtered in mass. A century ago, their numbers had crashed to just about a thousand animals.
Today, conservation organizations, ranchers, and Native American tribes are reintroducing buffalo to their home on the range. And the Catalina Island Conservancy is doing its part. In 1924, 14 bison were brought to the Island as motion picture props. They were left on Catalina, multiplied, and out-grew their Island home.
In the decades that followed, the Island's bison population topped 600 animals. The Conservancy commissioned a scientific study that determined that a herd of between 150 to 200 animals would ensure a healthy herd and a healthy Island ecosystem.
In 2004, working in partnership with the Morongo Band of Mission Indians, the Conservancy began a program to repatriate excess animals to the Rosebud Lakota Reservation in South Dakota, helping to restore bison to the Great Plains.
Honoring the bision as part of the Island's cultural history, the Conservancy continues to manage the herd that roams free in Catalina's interior.
Hear this 90-second radio clip from the Conservancy's Isla Earth radio series. Funded entirely through grants specifically for increasing eco-literacy, the series is now heard on 129 stations in 45 states, reaching an audience of more than 5.6 million listeners each week. At www.islaearth.org, you can search by topic and listen to archives hundreds of shows, and download them to your mp3 player through an itunes Podcast. Each show on the website includes Discovery Links leading to more information about today's most critical environmental concerns.
Photo: One of Catalina's bison
Photo by Bob Rhein | |
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