Island in the Sea - Catalina Island Conservancy

Arctostaphylos catalinaeA p u b l i c a t i o n o f t h e C a t a l i n a I s l a n d C o n s e r v a n c y S u m m e r / F a l l 2 0 0 1Island in the SeaLike other islands in the ChannelIslands chain, the seabed aroundSanta Catalina Island is quitedeep. From these depths apersistent upwelling of nutrientrichwater provides for anexceptional diversity of marineorganisms. Just as people visitCatalina’s terrestrial wilderness tohike and enjoy the land, manypeople visit Catalina annually toexperience the splendor ofCatalina’s “underwater gardens.”Gary CissneIn an area renowned for itsdiversity of marine life, some ofthe major issues that impact thewaters here include petroleumexploration, busy shipping lanes,nonpoint source pollution,commercial and recreationalfishing, and tourism.To better protect marine areas,long-term studies are crucial.Documenting and monitoring theunderwater environment helps usto understand how it changes inresponse to natural and humaneffects. The National Park Serviceand California Fish and Game areconducting many long-termstudies in the northern ChannelIslands.The Catalina Conservancy Divers(CCD), a support group of theCatalina Island Conservancy,endeavors to conserve andeducate about Catalina’s marineenvironment. CCD has beenTo better protect marine areas, long-term studies are crucial.conducting underwater research andmonitoring around Santa CatalinaIsland since 1992.The Key Species Monitoring Project isone of many CCD endeavors conductedat several locations around Catalina.Approximately 50 scientific researchWe’re lookingfor lizards . . .find out whyon page 4divers, all of whom have beentrained in CCD research protocols,currently staff the Key SpeciesMonitoring Project. Divers usescientific sampling techniques torecord the frequency of 30 speciesof underwater plants and animalsI N S I D EAbout the Conservancy ...p. 2From the President . . . . . . .p. 2Conservation Action . . . . . .p. 4The Work We Do:Development . . . . . . . . . . . .p. 5Please see page 3Calendar of Events . . . .p. 6-7Membership: Who’s New &What We Are Up To . p. 8-9Nature’s Notebook .....p. 10The View From Here ...p. 11

Island in the Seacontinued from page 1common to Catalina. To accomplish this often dauntingtask, the scientific research divers have loggedthousands of hours underwater. Key SpeciesMonitoring takes place at seven sites around the island:Cactus Bay, near the northwest corner of Catalina. Thisgeneral area is one of the most diverse and perhapsmost important underwater areas on the Island. It wasthe last area to be impacted by the El Nino conditionsof a few years ago and the first tocome back as the conditionssubsided. Team leader, JohnUlrich, has been leading divers tothis site for the past several years.Little Harbor. According to leaderRobert Newman, current CCD VicePresident, "This is probably thetoughest site we monitor as thisarea is constantly pounded by thenorthern cold water swell.”Church Rock. At the southernmost end of the Island, ChurchRock is frequently plagued bypoor visibility due to prevailingcurrents. All of the Key SpeciesMonitoring sites on the windwardside of the Island are surveyedannually, whereas the sites on thelee side are surveyed quarterly.Avalon, besides being another KeySpecies Monitoring site, is also thelocation of the SCUBA Trail designed to teachrecreational divers about the species they see whendiving at Catalina. The trail is periodically set up byGreg Heilig. Jeff Buchman, Ted Sharshan, and MikeDoran are site leaders in Avalon.Italian Gardens. Cindy Lipthay currently leads the diversat this site. It is a great diving area and often providesopportunities to see Black Sea Bass. These magnificentand amazingly curious fish, which were almosteliminated, have made a very encouraging comebackafter being declared a protected species.Steven G. BenavidesCatalina Conservancy Diver memberconducting research in one of themany kelp forests around Catalina.Marine Reserve, located around the Wrigley Institutefor Environmental Studies. The current reserve stretchesfrom Blue Cavern Point, just south of Bird Rock, alongthe coastline toward Two Harbors. Fishing andanchoring are restricted from this area, and it is a notakezone. The reserve is only one of two that currentlyexist in California. It is a major research site for CCD.Bruce Cook oversees Pumpernickel Cove, just aroundthe corner from Blue Cavern Point. Also in the reserve,CCD's Kelp Forest Monitoring Project, directed by JohnTurney, has been monitoring kelp growth and densitiesin the reserve since 1992. In the last El Nino, thereserve's kelp forest became a desert as the warm waterdepleted the nutrients neededby the kelp.Eagle Reef. JP Pylkkanen leadsthis Key Species Monitoring site.Probably the most heavily divedof all of our research sites, it is acommon stop for thecommercial dive boats. Here, asat all of our research sites, wemaintain thermographs. Theseinstruments record watertemperature on an hourly basis.They are retrieved andcalibrated periodically by CCDresearch divers so the data canbe stored and analyzed.With research sites scattered atall corners of Catalina, one ofthe challenges of the CatalinaConservancy Divers is gettingout to the locations. We havebeen helped tremendously bythe Catalina Marineros, anothersupport group of the Conservancy, whose membershave provided their boats to transport divers. (Ed. note:please see page 9 for more information about theCatalina Marineros.)If you would like tolearn more aboutthe CatalinaConservancy Diversand our projects,please visit ourwebsite atwww.ccd.org.Larry R. ThompsonGaribaldi, the California State Marine Fish.- Tom Turney,President, Catalina Conservancy DiversConservancy Times3

Conservation ActionEcological Restoration: MonitoringA series of 125 transects was established this last spring toprovide information about the island's plant communities. Weexpect to see big changes as the island recovers from years ofdegradation caused by feral pigs and goats.It has been said that knowledge ispower. This is particularly true whendealing with conservation activities.Identifying problems, developingsolutions, and determining programsuccess all depend on current,accurate field data. The EcologicalRestoration Department has a numberof monitoring programs in place andis actively implementing new ones togather information on the status andtrends of the plants and animalsfound on Santa Catalina Island. Welook forward to sharing informationabout our monitoring projects whenresults are analyzed.Land Bird MonitoringTwice a year, expert birders supported by staffand volunteers, spend several days in the fieldrecording the location and abundanceof all land birds. Now in its third year,the Land Bird Monitoring Projectestablishes population trends andhelps staff identify potential problemsbefore they become critical.Seeking Nature Detectives!Gathering information on the naturalresources of Catalina is never-ending.Volunteering for a monitoring project is aperfect opportunity for people who would liketo learn more about Catalina and becomeinvolved with the Conservancy.All Creatures Great and SmallPlans are underway to expand monitoring efforts toinclude seabirds that utilize Catalina, small mammals(mice and squirrels), the island'snumerous reptile and amphibianspecies, and invertebrates such asinsects, snails, and spiders.Marine Pinniped MonitoringIn May, the Conservancyconducted the first-ever census of the beaches usedby marine pinnipeds; 193 California sea lions andharbor seals were counted on Catalina’s remotebeaches. These surveys will continue at least twice ayear for the next several years.4Catalina Island Conservancy

The Work We DoDevelopmentErica Cushing, Development Assistant (at right),enjoys getting to know Conservancy members.“Fundraising isreally the processof asking people toshare our vision.”Chuck Wright, Director of DevelopmentThe Conservancy Ball, held at the Casino Ballroomin Avalon, is one of our biggest fundraisers.Pictured here (l-r) are Catalina Marineros PresidentStan Bunker, Conservancy Development DirectorChuck Wright, and Conservancy Board of Directorsmember Charles Hathaway.On a daily basis, Director of Development Chuck Wrightand Erica Cushing, Development Assistant, deal withpeople who care. Our members and donors givefreely of their time and resources in order for theCatalina Island Conservancy to achieve somethingworthwhile for generations to come. As ourdevelopment team, Chuck and Erica are theConservancy’s vital link to our supporters.The Development Department is responsible for thefundraising and membership activities of the CatalinaIsland Conservancy. These include generalcontributions, annual appeals, project funding,planned giving, memorial gifts, special events, yearendappeals, gifts-in-kind, membership development,major gifts, support groups.The majority of funds for our work come fromindividuals, and Chuck enjoys “…working with donorsto develop a successful strategy that provides thefunds to complete our work, and ensures thatexpectations regarding the giving are met.”Four important donor programs are: GeneralContributions, which are donations to the Conservancythat can be used in the most important areas needingfunding; Catalina Legacy Society, which recognizesthose supporters who have included the Conservancyas a beneficiary in their will, charitable trust, or otherdeferred-giving instrument or philanthropic plan;Memorial Gifts, which are wonderful and lasting waysto remember a friend or loved one; and the CatalinaGolden Circle, which is composed of those memberswho belong at a $1,000 annual dues level.Erica enjoys communicating with the Conservancy’smembers and support groups, and appreciates “thenumbers of people who support us annually!”Conservancy Times5

C ALENDARYour guide toEDUCATION OFFERINGSThrough September 2 . . .Summer Naturalist ProgramsDiscover the natural side of Catalina this summer andparticipate in the Conservancy’s free nature walks, nature hikes, andcampfire programs in Avalon, Little Harbor and Two Harbors.August 4 Hike Bulrush CanyonUnder Bulrush Canyon’s cooling oak canopy, we will discover Catalina’sbiodiveristy. 8 a.m. - 2 p.m.. Make reservations by August 1.August 21 Big BirdsJoin the Institute for Wildlife Studies’ Dr. Peter Sharpe as he discussesthe reintroduction of raptors on Catalina. 8 - 9 p.m. Wrigley Memorialand Botanical Garden.September 18 Evening Natural History Program.A special guest speaker, to be announced.October 6 Hike Middle CanyonThrough Middle Canyon to Ben Weston Beach. 8 a.m. - 2 p.m.Make reservations by October 3, 2001.October 16 Majestic OaksJoin a guest expert and learn about the role of oaks as keystonespecies. 7 - 8 p.m. Metropole Hotel Conference Room.November 3 Hike Lone TreeTake the Lone Tree trail to the East End Palisades and beyond.8 a.m. - 2 p.m. Make reservations by October 31, 2001.November 20 Catalina’s BirdsLearn about Catalina’s resident and visiting bird species in preparationfor the Audubon Christmas Bird Count. 7 - 8 p.m. Metropole HotelConference Room.December 1 Hike to Rippers CoveWe will hike overland to beautiful Ripper’s Cove. 8 a.m. - 2 p.m. Makereservations by November 28.Want to join in on an education program? Contact the EducationDepartment (310)510-0954 or education@catalinaconservancy.org.VOLUNTEER HAPPENINGSVolunteer VacationsVolunteer Vacations are an exciting change of pacefrom the usual vacation. Your experience will serve as anexcellent opportunity to learn about the unique ecology of SantaCatalina Island, give back to the environment, and have some fun all atthe same time.September 10 - 14 Volunteer VacationSeptember 24 - 28 Volunteer VacationFULLSee next issue for 2002 Volunteer Vacaton Dates!November 10 "Family Matters--We Volunteer"Volunteering together as a family offers time to talk, share a commoninterest, and grow closer while helping to make Santa Catalina Islandan even better place to live. Families can include relatives, as well asneighbors, friends, or any combination of people! Join us for theConservancy's Annual Family Volunteer Day.Would you like more information about these and other volunteeropportunitites with the Catalina Island Conservancy? Call Director ofVolunteer Services Annette Shears at (310) 510-2595, x 102 or emailvolunteers@catalinaconservancy.orgSPECIAL EVENTSThrough September 2 . . .Summer Naturalist ProgramsDiscover the natural side of Catalina this summerand participate in the Conservancy’s free nature walks, nature hikes,and campfire programs in Avalon, Little Harbor and Two Harbors.(310) 510-2595 x 134.October 8 Third Annual Catalina Island Conservancy Golf ClassicJoin us for a day of golf and festivities at the Pelican Hill Golf Club inNewport Coast. See details page 12.November 10 Family Volunteer DaySpend a day with your family in Catalina’s beautiful interior whileputting your helping hands to the earth. (310) 510-2595 x 102.6Catalina Island Conservancy

Featuring . . .getting involvedon CatalinaMEMBER GROUP EVENTSAugust 17-18 Catalina Caballeros Trail DayJoin us for a few days “on the trail,” performingmaintenance at Black Jack campground.Contact Terry Chapman, (626) 405-8031 x 304.September 15 Catalina Marineros-Catalina Conservancy DiversCruise to the USC/Wrigley Institute for Environmental Studies at BigFisherman’s Cove. Contact Stan Bunker (949) 223-5575 x 592 or TomTurney (310) 645-7900 X 22.In October, take a HIKE through MiddleCanyon to Ben Weston beach.The following is a calendar for CCD dives. Please check www.ccd.orgfrequently for updates and contact information.August 11 Italian Gardens, Key Species Monitoring StudyAugust 11-12 Wrigley Institute for Environmental Studies,Fish and Urchin CensusAugust 19 Casino Point, Key Species Monitoring StudyAugust 19 Casino Point Scuba TrailAugust 25-26 Wrigley Institute for Environmental Studies,Kelp CensusSeptember 15 Pumpernickle, Key Species Monitoring StudySeptember 15 Wrigley Institute for Environmental Studies,Kelp CensusTee Time! Join us on October 8 for golfand festivities at the Third AnnualCatalina Island Conservancy Golf Classic.October 5 Cactus Bay, Key Species Monitoring StudyOctober 13 Wrigley Institute for Environmental Studies,Kelp CensusOctober 14 Casino Point Scuba TrailOctober 20 Eagle Reef, Key Species Monitoring StudyNovember 17 Italian Gardens, Key Species Monitoring StudyNovember 17 Wrigley Institute for Environmental StudiesFish and Urchin CensusSpend quality time with each other andCatalina during Family Volunteer Day.Conservancy Times

Memberships Move UsA warm welcome to our new members!2/1/01 to 5/31/01AMIGOS$100 annual duesTom and Pam AllenBob and Barbara CrowJim and Patty GreenwoodRichard and Kay HagueFrederick and Susan LloydJohn and Vera PardeeCATALINA CABALLEROS$100 annual duesThe Stephen Chasko FamilyNoble and Peggy FryeKenneth and Sandy GrinkeyMax and Valerie HamptonWilliam and Carol PattersonEddie RodriguezCATALINA MARINEROS$100 annual duesLes BetzWalter and Louisa BinswangerRobert and Dixie BrainSteven and Lisa BriggsGordon and Shannon FrostAllan and Gerry HodgeE. Woodrow and Coley HuntBob and Susan MartinetMike and Cynthia ScannellPaul and Denise SpicerMike TrujilloCATALINA CONSERVANCYDIVERS$100 annual duesLinda AndersonKaz and Kari Y. AizawaGordon CraryAndy FreutelMichael Keeney and Rhonda MolinaroKen Lazarus and Alison McCaffreeMichelle LeistenCraig LewisJames LoganLaura MurphyEric ParkerJanet RappaportChris RondestvedtSteve and Annette RobertsDavid RockwellCharles and Janet SihlerCONQUISTADORS$100 annual duesCliff HagueJoe and Margo LazzariSTUDENTS$10 annual duesEldora WilsonJoin Us!FRIENDS OF CATALINA$25 annual duesBill and Barbara ArthurConrad and Catherine BanksMichael and Vanessa BendettiJoe and Elaine EhretJames and Patricia EtheridgeSergio and Elsa FloresSydney FullmerAl and Mary Elizabeth HausrathRobert and Judith HerronLinda JundMitchell LehmanTim and Rebecca MadiganGus and Miriam MeynerLinda OftedahlLois OlsonWilliam and Elizabeth OwenFrank and Kathy PalmeriBarry PolleySamantha Catalina SchreinerEmber ScottJack and Judy SederlandMarilou StanleyMary StanleyBruce TaylorDick VanPattenDick and Karen WarrenBill WhinnFor further information about membership and contributions, contact DevelopmentDirector Chuck Wright at (310) 306 3577 or ecofunder@aol.com, or EricaCushing, Development Assistant, at (310) 510 2595, x 114 orecushing@catalinaconservancy.org.8Catalina Island Conservancy

Support Group NewsCaballeros Ride The IslandLos Caballeros will be on Catalina from September 19 - 23. President Mike Krotz says, “At this year’s52nd Annual Ride, over 100 men will enjoy the ambiance of Little Harbor and rides through the hillsand valleys. Blackjacks’ Cowboy Camp on Thursday night promises to be one of the best ever withBernardino Vargas again providing his excellent Mexican Bar-B-Q.”Members of the Catalina Island Saddle Club will judge thetraditional Middle Ranch competitions and the Trail Class events.Last year’s champ, Rolando Hidalgo, promises to be back todefend his title. Friday’s Rodeo at El Rancho Escondido will againinclude an invitation to the Two Harbors School kids and teachers.Pete Mokler, Rodeo Chairman, guarantees lots of excitement inthe balloon bust, the hoop race and the buffalo hide race.A Conservancy Ride will be held on Saturday. In the past, the ridehas taken us to the Soapstone Bowl Quarry, along the Palisades,and to Camp Cactus, the WWII barracks. The Trail Boss is seekinga new location, which he is keeping under his hat at press time.The Caballeros plan to assist in some trail building this year andnext as the Conservancy begins implementation of a new trailsplan. We look forward to returning a favor to this untamedenvironmental haven that gives us so much pleasure.Ready to ride, Scott Mokler, Rick Harp, TerryLas Caballeras will hold their annual women’s ride on Catalina on October 3-7. For information, please contact Las Caballeras’President, Joanne Hutchins, at (760) 787-9500.Terry Chapman, President, Catalina CaballerosCatalina Marineros NewsMark your calendar! On Saturday, September 15, the Catalina Marineros and Catalina ConservancyDivers will be guests of the Wrigley Marine Science Center at Big Fisherman Cove on Catalina Island.All Marineros are invited!Plans for the joint event include guided tours of the remodeled center, its decompression chamber,touch tank, eel feeding, dinner and music by the Hen Rock Garibaldis. Sign up early, as thereservations are limited to 150.Several Marineros have become devoted Conservancy volunteers. Thisphotograph taken on a recent volunteer outing shows the reinstallation ofa solar panel paid for by the Marineros after its predecessor was stolen fromthe Laura Stein Volunteer Camp. Pictured are past Marinero presidents,Hank O’Melveny and Jack Carroll, president Stan Bunker, and volunteersHugh Rogers, BZ Jones and Charlie Morse.For those interested in helping the Conservancy and enjoying a great camp,the Laura Stein facility provides showers, heads, sleep shelters, cooking andfood storage amenities. It offers panoramic views of the channel andmainland. For information, contact Annette Shears, Conservancy VolunteerDirector, at 310 510-2595, x 102.Stan Bunker, President, Catalina MarinerosConservancy Times9

Nature’s NotebookLife in the SandBeaches and dunes, those sandy edges between the sea and Catalina, are rare andunique habitats. Rain and wind play a role in beach and dune living. Rainwaterbarely pauses as it drains through the sand, leaving plants in thishabitat to survive in perpetual drought-like conditions. The windeasily picks up and moves the dry sand grains, uncovering rootsand stirring up abrasive particles. In addition to the water andwind situation, sand is a nutrient-poor substrate. Soil salinity,airborne salt in fog and sea spray, and intense heat and lightreflected up from the surface contribute to the challenges ofsurvival on the coastal strand.Sand VerbenaVery few plants and animals are adapted to survive in this severehabitat. On Catalina, only ten low-growing native plants aredescribed as making up the coastal strand plant community. Twoof these, the sand verbenas, are perennials with sticky, hairy stems and thick ovalleaves. The plants trail on the sand. Sticky sand verbena (Abronia maritima) hasbright reddish purple flowers, beach sand verbena (Abronia umbellata) flowers arerosy pink and sweetly night fragrant. Both may be seen blooming from Marchthrough November on the sandy dunes at Little Harbor and Ben Weston beaches.ISLAND Journal . . . a young naturalist’s CatalinaInvestigations Stimulating Learning About Natural Diversity isan environmental education curriculum designed specifically forCatalina’s local schools. The following is an excerpt taken froma book written by a 4th grade class after participating in the“Kelp Help” lesson. Focusing on the dynamic kelp forestecosystem in the classroom, students participate in a beachsurvey and clean-up at Shark Harbor.Observing Our BeachWhile we were walking along the beach, we found evidence of animaland human life. Human evidence: chewing tobacco can, surf board,lighters, cigarettes, insole, beer cans, ribbon, rope, charcoal. Animalevidence: seagull tracks, lizard, flies, bugs, sand crabs, feather, spider.The Trash Clean-UpWhen we were searching for trash we found plastic, metal, wood, glass,and styrofoam. The most trash was plastic. Plastic can hurt lots ofanimals that come to the beach to eat, like sea lions, sea gulls, hawks,sparrows, and bugs. The trip made us so happy because we cleanedShark Harbor.10Catalina Island Conservancy

The View From HereWillow CoveAvalon busy harbor beginningGreat blue ocean ebbingRock on rock gurglingCoastline extendingHarbor seals peekingSun on water sparklingSwells gently rollingLeopard sharks cajolingRavens, sea gulls, eagles, pelicans soaringPaddle into water dippingKayak nose pointingto Willow CoveAnonymousSpend the day picknicking and snorkeling in crystal blue water, or spend the night camping and stargazing atbeautiful Willow Cove. Only 2.75 miles north of Avalon, Willow Cove is one of eleven “primitive” campsites onConservancy land accessible only by kayak or boat. For more information, call (310) 510-3577 or visitwww.campingcatalinaisland.com.On this page, we welcome your thoughts, musings, sketchesand photos of Catalina. Please send to Editor, Conservancy Times,P.O. Box 2739, Avalon, CA 90704. All items become the propertyof the Catalina Island Conservancy.Conservancy Times 11

The 3rd Annual Catalina Island Conservancy Golf ClassicMonday, October 8thPelican Hill Golf Club, Newport CoastA full day of festivities will include exceptional golfer gift packages, an opportunityto win a new Toyota car and afun-filled live auction. Be part of a qualifying team and have a chance at winning inthe $10,000 Putt for Cash contest.A gourmet awards banquet will top off the day.Persons interested in playing in the tournament or sponsoring a portion of the eventcan contact Ms. Sandi Richlin at The Richlin Group, (310) 641-6477, or by emailat trgolf@pacificbell.net.Catalina Island ConservancyP.O. Box 2739Avalon, California 90704www.catalinaconservancy.orgThe mission of the Santa Catalina IslandConservancy is to conserve the land it ownsin perpetuity; to restore it to a natural state;to provide education and recreational uses ofthe land consistent with conservation; tofoster and develop research to promoteunderstanding of the resources of SantaCatalina Island and Conservancy activitiesand to promote an understanding of theunderwater habitat surrounding the Island.Printed on 100% recycled post consumer waste paper with vegetable-based ink.