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| Cutting ribbon for the Grand Opening of the Nature Center at Avalon Canyon are: Conservancy Board Chair Marie Knowles; Avalon May Bob Kennedy; Conservancy President and CEO Ann Muscat, Director of the Los Angeles County Parks & Recreation Russ Guiney; and Conservancy Chief Conservation and Education Officer Carlos de la Rosa. |
FREE Admission
Open until Memorial Day, May 29, 2006
10:00 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily except on Thursdays
Open Memorial Day through Labor Day, September 4, 2006
10:00 a.m. to 4 p.m. seven days a week
For more information, please call (310) 510-0954
The new Nature Center at Avalon Canyon, located at 1202 Avalon Canyon Road, Avalon CA 90704, occupies the site of the old Interpretive Center, built by the Los
Angeles County Department of Parks & Recreation, originally created to tell the story of the natural history of the Island.
The Nature Center features self-guided exhibits, hands-on activities for kids, a Resource Center, and host the popular Evening Nature Program lecture series and other events, according to Ann Muscat, Conservancy President and CEO.
“Its close proximity to the Wrigley Memorial and Botanical Gardens and the Hermit Gulch Trail Head make this a perfect place to introduce guests the Island’s natural history,” noted Muscat, who added that themes will also explore the important conservation work that is “protecting and restoring the Island so its wildlands can be enjoyed now and in the future.”
 The Center’s exhibit is titled, “PURE Catalina,” “PURE” an acronym for “Protect,” “Understand,” “Renew” and “Explore” which are the sections of the exhibit.
In the new Nature Center’s lobby, images of the scenic wild side of the Island will welcome visitors, including rugged landscapes and secluded coves with their crystal waters. An array of exhibit panels framed in “islands” made of natural materials will introduce visitors to Catalina’s natural wonders and the Conservancy’s conservation programs. “The combination of informative panels, organically designed cabinetry and numerous props makes learning fun for adults and children alike,” said Carlos de la Rosa, the Conservancy’s Chief Conservation and Education Officer.
Visitors will learn about everything from the geology of the Channel Islands, to how species arrive on islands. Explored will be the concept of “biodiversity hotspots” (of which there are 200 in the world), and why Catalina is part of the one that stretches along the West Coast of the United States.
Catalina’s unique ecology will come into focus in the “Protect” section with a presentation of its endemics -- species that are found on Catalina and nowhere else in the world, such as the Catalina Island fox, Catalina shrew, Catalina Mahogany and Saint Catherine’s Lace.
 The “Understand” section will feature maps and surveys showing the distribution and abundance of Catalina’s plant communities and wildlife populations, with a focus on the impacts of fire and overgrazing.
In “Renew,” visitors will discover how the Conservancy is restoring endangered or threatened plants, wildlife and habitats. Case studies will focus on the Catalina Island fox, American bald eagle, bison, and oak woodlands. Challenges such as invasive plants and pet and wildlife issues will also be highlighted.
In the “Explore” section, visitors will be able to view compelling and inspirational videos on several of these conservation programs. “These efforts keep the Island’s interior a choice destination for tens of thousands of hikers, bikers, backpackers and young people who participate in educational activities in Catalina’s coves each year,” Muscat noted.
 The Conservancy has designed the new Nature Center to be an informative gateway for all those who are on their way to the Island’s interior. For those who limit their adventures to the city limits of Avalon, the Conservancy hopes the Center may entice them to stay a little longer, and to one day, take a walk on Catalina’s wild side.
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