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The Summer HIKE - First Saturdays May through September |
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Dear Leslie,
You are receiving the Catalina Conservancy Update ONLINE e-newsletter as a thank you for your participation in the Eco Marathon.
This newsletter is packed with news from the Island, and always contains valuable coupons for use while visiting here.
You can expect to receive news from Catalina once each month. We are looking forward to your return to Catalina Island!
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You can tell just by looking at the hills around Avalon that Mother Nature is working her magic on our lovely Island. All of that green is a wonderful sight following our long draught.
The wildflowers now beginning to bloom in the interior are a sure sign that spring is here. Take a look at the photo gallery below to see many beautiful wildflowers that are native to Catalina-and some that are not.
And, we are only a month away from the Catalina Island Conservancy Ball, to be held April 12 in the beautiful Avalon Casino Ballroom. Individual tickets are on sale online. There is still time to become a sponsor and attend the VIP Party before the Ball at Casa del Monte.
Note: Look for valuable coupons especially for our readers at the end of this newsletter.
Photo in banner: Collage of wildflowers native to Catalina Island
Photo by Carlos de la Rosa
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| A HOPE FOR WILDFLOWERS |
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'Where flowers bloom, so does hope.'
Name one person you know who doesn't like wildflowers.
Hard to do, isn't it? That's because we are naturally attracted to the colors, shapes, fragrances and overall beauty of flowers.
Poems and even entire books have been written about wildflowers. Lady Bird Johnson, the wife of former President Lyndon B. Johnson, wrote, "Where flowers bloom so does hope." And this year - after a harsh two-year drought, the fires and the turmoil they caused - hope is in the air. Hope for a mild rainy season, with enough water for the plant life to recover - but not so much as to cause landslides in the burn areas. Hope for a warm spring, with lots of wildflowers and the unique insect ensemble that works its pollination magic. Hope for lots of fox pups, bison babies, songbirds and fresh growth in the parched and scorched hills.
Right now, Catalina's slopes are carpeted with the green of new growth, and the colors of the wildflowers are emerging in patches.
As March begins, are seeing island poppies, lupines, blue dicks, Indian paintbrush, rattleweed bushes and giant coreopsis.
There are also rare, hard-to-find cliff spurges, willow flowers, early cactus flowers and lemonade berries.
Here, explore some of the native and non-native flowers that are beginning to appear on our wonderful Island.
Photo: blue dick (Dichelostemma capitatum)
Story and Photo Gallery by Carlos de la Rosa |
| DR. ROBERT 'BOB' GIVEN - 1932 TO 2008 |
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Marine Biologist-Conservancy Benefactor
Robert "Bob" R. Given, Ph.D., 75, of Avalon and San Pedro, California passed away peacefully Sunday, February 24, 2008 following a lengthy battle with cancer.
A marine biologist, educator, photographer, writer and philanthropist, Bob Given possessed an insatiable curiosity about the natural world and through his photography, teaching and writing, Santa Catalina Island is better understood and appreciated by thousands of people.
Born on July 20, 1932 in Los Angeles, he received his Bachelor's degree in Biological Sciences from Chico State (1953) and his Master's (1963) and Doctor of Philosophy (1970) in Biological Sciences from the University of Southern California.
In the late 1960s, Bob worked closely with Philip Knight Wrigley, President of the Santa Catalina Island Company, on the formation of the Catalina Island Conservancy. He was elected as a lifetime Benefactor member in 1975 and continued his involvement with the natural history of Catalina Island, both terrestrial and marine. He has been highly active through volunteer work with visiting scientists, restoration projects, education projects, and the scientific training program for Catalina Conservancy Divers, a member support group for the Conservancy.
In addition to Bob's many and far reaching professional accomplishments, he was a devoted husband, father and grandfather. He enjoyed his family and especially enjoyed helping his grandchildren with school projects.
There will be a family memorial at sea.
Dr. Given is survived by his wife, Janet; daughters Kim, Kathleen and Pamela; and four grandchildren, Megan, Ryan, Samantha and Sydney.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers, gifts be made to the Catalina Island Conservancy's Robert Given Fund for Ocean Conservation by calling Katherine Perriman at (310) 510-2595 ext. 114, or to the American Cancer Society.
Photo: Dr. Robert Given |
| 27TH ANNUAL AVALON HARBOR CLEANUP |
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Despite murky water, divers still 'cleaned up '
What do a set of decaying pigeon feet, a diamond earring and barnacle-encrusted martini glass have in common?
They were all "treasures" hidden at the bottom of Avalon Harbor.
Murky waters, filled with runoff silt from the recent rains somewhat hampered the divers' efforts, but the rain stayed away and blue skies reigned during the dive that lasted from 9:30 to 11 a.m. A crowd of more than 600, including spouses, children, parents and friends, and the divers converged on Avalon for the event.
Jill Boivin, event chair, estimated the proceeds, pending final expenses, to be approximately $20,000 to be divided equally between the Conservancy's new Bob Given Fund for Ocean Conservation, and the Catalina Hyperbaric Chamber at the USC Wrigley Marine Institute at Big Fisherman's Cove. She added that the CCD divers raised more than $37,000 in sponsorships and donations.
Some of the "loot" along with your standard haul of litter were a racing pigeon breastbone, complete with skeleton and feet with I.D. tags still attached, and a 1972 dollar coin.
In the most valuable category was a citrine earring with a diamond chip in a gold setting. The funniest item was a set of "Billy Bob" teeth.
Other great finds included a barnacle-encrusted martini glass, algae and critter-covered hat that was still suited for wear, a grenade bag, and a brand-new kayak paddle.
"I would like to thank our continued sponsors, loyal volunteers, participation by the Harbor Departments, Conservancy Administration and Facilities, the Hyperbaric Chamber, Avalon Baggage, Seagull Sanitation, Scuba Luv, Catalina Divers Supply, Ocean Sports Kayaks, Avalon High School, and the Americorps volunteers, " said Boivin.
Photo: Diver Gary Maus of Apple Valley, California shows off his "find"-a toy soldier-typical of what is deposited in Avalon Harbor throughout the year.
Photo by Bob Rhein |
| LUNAR ECLIPSE DRAWS CROWD |
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| Airport in the Sky was lasagna central
Bone-chilling winds and socked-in conditions didn't deter about 150 Avalon residents and visitors from Avalon from making their way up to the Airport in the Sky for a look at the total lunar eclipse on February 20th.
The Eclipse Party was the first all-Island and open house at the Airport in the Sky.
Although the moon remained hidden up at the Airport, Sue Rikalo, proprietor of the DC-3 Grill and Gifts and her crew, served up a satisfying dinner of piping-hot lasagna, garlic bread and salad.  No one was disappointed, though. The total eclipse of the moon was visible to all who made their way down the Airport Road following an excellent meal and lively conversation.
Photos: (top) Angel, Victoria and Celeste Lichtenhan of Avalon help serve plates of lasagna at the Airport in the Sky.
(bottom) Diners pack the DC-3 Grill |
| DOLPHINS OF THE SAN PEDRO CHANNEL |
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| From the Conservancy's Isla Earth radio series
 How many times have you crossed the channel to Catalina by boat, helicopter or airplane and been treated to the sight of a pod of dolphins? It's an amazing sight.
You'll see a few different species of dolphin in the channel. First, the round-headed Risso's dolphin, which is known for playful antics like leaping and flipper slapping.
Then there's the short-beaked and long-beaked Common dolphin. You can identify them by the complex crisscross or hourglass patterns on their sides.
The most familiar dolphin out there is the bottlenose dolphin of TV's Flipper fame. Much of what's known about the biology of dolphins comes from studies of bottlenose dolphins.
Dolphins are an excellent "indicator" species that give researchers essential information about the overall health of the sea.
If dolphins start showing up sick or dead it gives scientists a good idea that something's amiss in the marine ecosystem. By monitoring dolphin populations, conservation scientists are better able to protect the health of our oceans.
So there's a lot to learn from dolphins. That's something to marvel at! 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 133 stations in 45 states, reaching an audience of more than 5.7 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: Bottlenose dolphin
Photo by Bob Rhein | |
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