Administrative Assistance ~ Word processing, filing, photocopying, and answering phones are just a few of the tasks done everyday in all our departments. If you enjoy working in an office environment and feel comfortable with a computer, photocopier and fax machine come spend the day (or longer) with us.

Bird Surveying ~ Currently the Conservancy is involved in two bird surveying projects. The Land Bird Monitoring Project and the National Audubon Christmas Bird Count. The Land Bird Monitoring project is a biannual bird census that monitors resident and migratory avian species in each of the representative habitats of Santa Catalina Island. The Christmas Bird Count (CBC) is an early-winter bird census across the Americas between December 14th and January 5th. The data collected each year from this event is turned into the National Audubon Society headquarters where it is used to determine trends and patterns in bird populations and migration patterns.

Construction/Maintenance ~ The Conservancy owns and manages 46,000 acres of natural lands, 240 miles of roads, a botanical garden, campgrounds, offices, a small airport, and a nature center. The opportunities abound if your talents and skills are in construction (all types), painting, or facilities maintenance. Projects vary throughout the year.

Fence Removal ~ In the early to mid-1900’s Santa Catalina Island was home to several ranching operations. During this time, over 40 miles of fence line were installed to corral livestock. It is now the Conservancy’s challenge to remove this old-decaying fence line around the island. Watch the landscape open up with every mile of fence removed. Current tetanus shots are recommended.

Fundraising ~ Do you know of a prospective donor or someone you know that might financially support the Conservancy? Work with our Director of Development in cultivating friends interested in preserving Catalina Island. Or, perhaps, you might be intereseted in developing written literature on Conservancy projects/programs that can be used in our grant writing and fundraising proposals.

Hiking: Field Projects ~ Santa Catalina Island’s ecosystem includes a unique variety of native trees, shrubs, wildflowers, grasses, ferns, mammals, insects, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fungi, lichens, and other forms of life. Some are found only on Santa Catalina Island. If you enjoy hiking Catalina’s hills and valleys (often in steep terrain) then join us in a variety of field projects; radio-tracking telemetry, data recording, fence line monitoring and GPSing island sites and landmarks.

Internet/Library Research ~ The internet and university library databases provide a wealth of information on every topic imaginable. Volunteers are enlisted to research such topics as nonprofit agencies, conservation issues, product and cost comparison for environmentally-sound products, construction supplies, volunteer programs, website design, nursery and gardening supplies and new technologies.

Invasive Weed Removal ~ Invasive non-native plants are a major problem facing the Conservancy as we protect the natural diversity of Santa Catalina Island. More than 30% of the island's plant species are not native to the island. Once established, these non-native plants may out compete Catalina's natives for vital resources of light, nutrients, and water. Lend a hand (pulling, chopping and cutting) in protecting our unique island plant species.

Mailings ~ Monthly flyers, quarterly newsletters, and notices are sent to Conservancy support groups, volunteers and island and mainland residents. These mailings often require stuffing envelopes, affixing mailing labels and running letters through the stamp machine. There is also the art of bulk mailing; a process which requires a good eye for detail to sort and bundle mailings by zip code. Project locations can be flexible, i.e. they can be worked on at home or in Avalon at the Conservancy House.

Marine Research Diving ~ The Catalina Conservancy Divers (CCD) is a membership support group of the Catalina Island Conservancy. To achieve its goals, CCD sponsors a variety of research and educational diving activities for its membership to participate in. Some projects currently being conducted by the CCD are the annual Avalon Harbor underwater cleanup, kelp growth study, key species monitoring project, marine refuge census and the marine thermograph project. Click here for the Catalina Conservancy Diver's web site.

Native Plant Gardening ~ Located in the heart of Middle Canyon, the James H. Ackerman Native Plant Nursery promotes the conservation, restoration, and appreciation of native plants on Santa Catalina Island. Native plants are grown from seed or cutting material collected from plants growing in the wild on the island. Volunteers are welcome every Thursday year-round from 7:30am – 12:00pm. Typical projects include seed germination, seed collection, plant propagation, weeding, light construction, and nursery maintenance. Volunteers can also participate in our “Seed Seeker” program. Over 80 plant species on the island have seeds that need to be collected from around the island. This project is open to anyone who hikes, bikes, rides horses or drives on Santa Catalina Island. Training is provided in site surveying and seed collection.

Newsletter/Graphic Design ~ Many departments within our organization utilize brochures, newsletters, and flyers for outreach purposes. We have a need for people skilled in graphic design/layout to assist us in developing literature that shares our mission of preserving Santa Catalina Island with our members and the public or if you have a knack for creative writing, this is a great opportunity to get your work in print.
Photography/Artist ~ Photograph, draw, paint or create. Capture images of island events and history that can be of great interest and benefit to the Conservancy’s research. Your special skills and talent in this area could be featured in our volunteer newsletter, the Conservancy’s newsletter, brochures or other Department publications. Be creative.

Special Events Coordinating ~ Great communication and planning skills are essential for creative and organized special events. Current annual events include a golf tournament, our annual Conservancy Ball and volunteer reception. Responsibilities may include written and phone contact for auction acquisition, writing and distributing information about the event and the Conservancy, data entry, attending event committee meetings, or creating new and original fund raising events.

Trail Construction/Maintenance ~ A Catalina Island trails plan has been which calls for developing trails with user appreciation and enjoyment of the island in mind while preserving the natural environment. Generally, trail work consists of using various hand tools to dig, move or remove soil, rock, stumps, boulders and vegetation in order to create trail tread and structures.

Vegetation Monitoring ~ Plant monitoring is the gathering of information to assess the health, status, and trends of plant populations and communities and their broader ecological systems over time. Monitoring is essential to adaptive management, which is using the information gained to guide and adapt future management actions. One currently monitored area is the 80-acre hayfield restoration trials site in Middle Canyon. Habitats consist of chaparral, coastal sage scrub, grassland, oak woodland and riparian corridors. Volunteers assist in data recording and monitoring plant growth.

Visitor Information ~ Santa Catalina Island enjoys nearly 1 million visitors each year. Many of these visitors are here for the first time and are excited to learn more about the Catalina Island Conservancy. Assist staff at our main office (or at our entrance gate) by greeting visitors and sharing general information about Santa Catalina Island and the Conservancy, distributing literature, and issuing hiking permits. Our busiest days are Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays.

Volunteer Crew Leader ~ Throughout the year, volunteers travel to the island to participate in island restoration projects as a team. If you enjoy working with people, coordinating logistics, driving, and working in the field with other volunteers, this position is extremely rewarding. A valid California driver’s license is required (Class B preferred) and training is provided.

Volunteer Naturalist Corps (VNC) works directly with our Education Department and offers four ways for volunteers to become involved:

• Catalina ISLAND Naturalist
  Catalina ISLAND (Investigations Stimulating Learning About Natural Diversity) is an interdisciplinary curriculum that directly involves island students with Catalina's natural environment. Volunteers, along with staff, provide student-centered, interactive, and hands-on instruction.
• Course Catalina Naturalist
  Course Catalina is an outreach program for middle school students in the Los Angeles Unified School District, co-sponsored by the Catalina Island Conservancy and the Boone Foundation. Course Catalina Naturalist participate in a pre-trip visit to the classroom and an all-day field adventure on the island.
• Trail Naturalist
  Every year, thousands of people enjoy the Conservancy's free summer nature walks, nature hikes and campfire programs. These Summer Naturalist programs provide Catalina's visitors and residents with a unique opportunity to explore the island. Trail Naturalists support the Summer Naturalist programs by leading nature walks at the Wrigley Memorial and Botanical Garden during July and August.
• Nature Center Naturalist
  Located at the Airport-in-the-Sky, the Catalina Island Conservancy Nature Center and surrounding areas are alive with opportunities for teaching others about the island. Nature Center Naturalists breathe life into the displays at the Nature Center by designing interpretive signage and hands-on learning stations. The Nature Center is open every day of the year and volunteers are needed during the months of July through September.

Wildlife Data Recording ~ Santa Catalina Island has the highest diversity of any Channel Island for reptiles and amphibians, with 4 amphibians and 8 reptiles, including a wider diversity of native and introduced animals. Researchers and staff study many of these species by monitoring and recording data throughout the year. Attention to detail, note taking, and an ability to learn are integral to volunteering in this area.