Getting Out is Really Getting Inâ¦Into the Interior - Catalina Island ...

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C ATALINA I SLAND CONSERVANCY B E N E F A C T O R M E M B E R S Robert Given, Chair James H. Ackerman Paxson H. Offield Alison Wrigley Rusack B O A R D O F D I R E C T O R S Maria Pellegrini, Chair Geoffrey Rusack, Vice Chair Norris J. Bishton, Jr. Clifford Hague Richard Harp Charles Hathaway Marie Knowles Robert Meistrell Anthony Michaels Ann M. Muscat Calvin Parsons Ada Blanche Schreiner D i r e c t o r s E m e r i t u s A. Douglas Propst Robert Thorne E L E C T E D O F F I C E R S Ann M. Muscat, President/Chief Executive Officer J. Scott Wauben, Treasurer/Chief inancial Officer Bruce Guay, Corporate Secretary D E P A R T M E N T Lenny Altherr Steve Dawes David Gardner Rebecca Guay Mark Hoefs Deb Jensen Kathleen King Paul Moritz Jane Pulsinelli Peter Schuyler Charles Wright M A N A G E R S Director,acilities Management Supervisor, Special Projects Director, Security Director, Visitor Services Director & Curator, Wrigley Botanical Garden Director, Education Director, Volunteer Services Director, Airport Operations Assistant Treasurer Director, Ecological Restoration Director, Development rom the President Dear Friends, Since the forming of the Conservancy, one of the mandates for the organization has been to allow for appropriate recreational use of the island. Over the past thirty years, many thousands of people have enjoyed hiking, camping, bicycling, and touring the interior. Catalina is an amazing destination for nature lovers and wilderness adventurers! This summer, we begin implementation of our Trail Plan. Trails offer a low impact way for recreational users to access remote wilderness areas of the island. Well designed trails at popular locations channel footsteps appropriately, allowing for ecological protection and restoration of sensitive areas. Besides safety and conservation, the educational and recreational possibilities of well-designed trails include discovery of interesting historical sites, beautiful vistas, experiencing the diverse terrain and natural habitats on the island, and exercising mind, body and spirit. It is exciting to look forward to all aspects of such an important endeavor! You will be hearing more about this project throughout the year. Another significant project about to be launched is the improvement of access to Ben Weston Beach. Since 1995, when the old road to the beach washed out, we have been deliberating the best and most feasible way to attend to the situation. In April, the Conservancy’s Board of Directors voted to go forward with building a new road, providing that the appropriate permits and adequate funding are procured. A map and more details about the Ben Weston Road project are available by calling Bruce Guay at 310-510-2595, ext. 106. The scope of the Conservancy continues to expand was we endeavor to remain true to the original intent of the organization. I am honored to have been a part of this important work for the past 29 years. It is with a mixture of melancholy, confidence, and excitement that I am changing roles. Dr. Ann Muscat assumes the title and responsibilities of President and CEO effective July 1, 2003. I will continue on as a consultant to the organization for the next few months. My husband, David, and I will continue to live in Avalon and, of course, will always be among the Catalina Island Conservancy’s most fervent supporters. Sincerely, Contact Us (310) 510 - 2595 editor@catalinaconservancy.org or visit us at 125 Claressa Avenue Avalon, CA Visitor Services hours 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. daily From the Editor: You may notice that several articles in this issue use scientific names as well as common names for island plants and animals. Common names can be confusing because often a plant or animal has various common names, and sometimes different-but-similar organisms are called by the same common name. We want to be very clear about the species mentioned for those readers who are interested. So, the common names are listed first, in regular font, and the scientific or Latin names follow, in parentheses, with text in italic. 2 Catalina Island Conservancy
Welcome Dr. Ann M. Muscat New President and CEO The Board of Directors of the Santa Catalina Island Conservancy has selected Dr. Ann M. Muscat, former Santa Catalina Island resident, as its next President and Chief Executive Officer, effective July 1, 2003. Dr. Muscat lived on Santa Catalina Island for eight years, conducting marine research and serving as Director of the University of Southern California’s Wrigley Marine Science Center at Big Fisherman Cove. She is an avid sailor and diver, and has been coming to the island and enjoying its natural beauty for more than 24 years. “Ann brings a wealth of talent, skills and knowledge to the Conservancy. Her time living on Catalina and her love of the Island, combined with her experience in leadership positions in nonprofit organizations make her the ideal choice for this position,” said Board Chair, Dr. Maria Pellegrini. Muscat received her doctorate in biological sciences from the University of Southern California working in the near-shore marine environment of Santa Catalina Island. While Director of the Wrigley Marine Science Center she established the Marine Life Refuge that protects the waters immediately surrounding the laboratory from harvesting and anchoring pressures. She also initiated the popular Elderhostel Program, which has been introducing interested adults to the ecology of Santa Catalina Island for more than 15 years. “I am excited and pleased to be returning to Santa Catalina Island at the helm of such an important organization,” said Muscat. “The Santa Catalina Island Conservancy and Catalina can serve as a model for balancing human uses with nature’s needs, and inspire people to enjoy, understand and become responsible stewards of their natural world.” After completing her work with the Marine Science Center, Muscat served as Deputy Director and Senior Vice President for Exhibits and Education at the California Science Center in Los Angeles. There she played a pivotal role in the transformation and rebuilding of that public institution. As part of the master plan for the California Science Center, she directed the development of the conceptual program and design for a science elementary school now being built in partnership with the Los Angeles Unified School District. Muscat also served as the Executive Vice President for Strategic Initiatives at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County. There, she led the Board of Trustees and staff through a strategic visioning process that redefined the role of a natural and cultural history museum in the 21st century. Muscat also directed the completion of the preliminary architectural and exhibition studies for a major rebuilding of the Natural History Museum’s infrastructure. She has worked throughout her career to promote sciencebased conservation and environmental education. She has been invited to lecture in China and India on her ecological and museological work, and she was a Research Associate in the United States Antarctic Program. Muscat received her master’s degree in biology from San Diego State University and her bachelor’s in biology from the University of Detroit. Conservancy Times 3
Page 1: Arctostaphylos catalinae A p u b l
Page 5 and 6: Island Recreation sometimes, chilly
Page 7 and 8: Conservation Learning More About Or
Page 9 and 10: Volunteers erosion and chemistry, a
Page 11 and 12: Featuring . involved on Catalina SU
Page 13 and 14: aces and Places Knee deep in weeds,
Page 15 and 16: Member Happenings Surprises from th
Page 17 and 18: Conservation New Vegetation Map Aid
Page 19 and 20: The View rom Here This collection o

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