Isl<strong>and</strong> Raritycontinued from page 3are a limited resource on <strong>Catalina</strong>both naturally <strong>and</strong> due to alterationby humans <strong>and</strong> non-native animals.Additionally, little is known of therole feral cats (Felis catus) may havein suppressing the population ofshrews. Further research is necessaryto help us better underst<strong>and</strong> whichfactors contribute most to the shrew’srareness so we can develop aconservation plan to protect it <strong>and</strong>reduce its probability of extinction.Case Study #2The <strong>Catalina</strong> MahoganyThe <strong>Catalina</strong> Mahogany (Cercocarpustraskiae) is an example of a speciesthat is extremely rare due to bothnatural <strong>and</strong> human factors. A smalltree with curved leaves, fuzzy leafundersides, <strong>and</strong> feathery fruits, itspopulation consisted of only 40 to 50individuals when discovered byBlanche Trask in 1897. Found only onSanta <strong>Catalina</strong> Isl<strong>and</strong>, it occupies oneremote gully on the southern coast of the isl<strong>and</strong>.When rediscovered in 1967, only 5 to 6 individualsremained, with no evidence of reproduction. Feral <strong>and</strong>non-native herbivores such as feral goats (Capra hircus),feral pigs, <strong>and</strong> Mule Deer were the suspected cause. Afterfencing two of the trees in the early 1970s, their healthimproved <strong>and</strong> a new seedling was discovered. A largerfence encompassing both of these trees along with theirassociated habitat was constructed, <strong>and</strong> the results wereastounding: up to 23 seedlings appeared within thefence that year, which increased to close to 70 seedlingsby 1987. Additional plants were also found, bringing theThe elegant Santa <strong>Catalina</strong> Ironwoodonce ranged throughout the westernUnited States, but now is found only on<strong>Catalina</strong> Isl<strong>and</strong>.D. Knapptotal to 12 individuals. Propagation<strong>and</strong> outplanting of this species ingardens throughout the isl<strong>and</strong> hasalso ensured that it will not be lostforever.Protection of the natural population isstill a high priority. In 1999, the entiregully (just over 100 acres) was fencedagainst all non-native herbivores.Today, there are a total of 102seedlings <strong>and</strong> saplings, with three ofthem large enough to be consideredmature. But fencing cannot solve all ofthe threats facing this plant. It is alsohybridizing with a more commonspecies, Isl<strong>and</strong> Mountain-Mahogany(Cercocarpus betuloides var.blancheae). Only six of the 12 plantsare pure (Cerocarpus traskiae): five ofthe others are hybrids, <strong>and</strong> the twelfthis most likely a hybrid. The smallpopulation size of this plant threatensits survival, making removal of thehybrid trees a poor option. The<strong>Conservancy</strong> is planning to outplantmore pure individuals of this tree in thefuture, both within its native gully <strong>and</strong> in comparable areas,<strong>and</strong> hopes to learn more about this diminutive tree <strong>and</strong>why it is so rare.Thorne, R.F. 1976. Conservation <strong>and</strong> management of thenatural flora of Santa <strong>Catalina</strong> Isl<strong>and</strong>. Unpublished reportprepared for Center for Natural Areas, Washington, D.C.Denise KnappVegetation SpecialistAngela AarhusBiologistVolunteers Make It Happen!The volunteer opportunities in the Ecological Restoration Department are countless <strong>and</strong> the valuable time that volunteersdedicate seems endless. Sincere thanks to the following; Rachel Adams, Michael Allen, Grant Amthor, Rita Amthor, Art Barker, Cheryll Blevins,Irene Blevins, Patrick Blevins, Paul Blevins, Jeff Chapman, Toyon Bay- CIMI, Jan Cokely, Tony Cokely, Estelle Conover, Juanita Constible, Pam Cooper,Travis Cooper, William Corey, Tyler Cummingham, Ann Cummings, Heather Cummings, Robert Cummings II, Katie Cunningham, Nicolette David, JosephDlugokecki, Dave Farley, Katharine Frank, Jessica Freedman, Fred Freeman, Diane Gilchrist, Johanna Good, Annerose Grellmann, Hans Grellmann,TinaGuagliardo, Mariana Guagliardo, Meaghan Guagliardo, Glen Gustafson, Carole Guttilla, Kim Harley, Lois Hart, Carole Hemphill, Michael Herrera, AnnetteHerrington, Glenn Hibbs, Judy Hibbs, Matt Hibbs, Dean Hill, Laurie Hill, Margaret Hinton, Sarah Hinton, Robert Husted, Deb Jensen, Liz Johnson, B.Z.Jones, Barbara Jones, Jupiter Jones, Thaddeus Jones, Kathleen King , Pat Klingensmith, Denise Knapp, Linda Kolden, Alex Lane, Paul Lane, LanceLichtenhan, Mark Lloyd, Benjamin Lockhart, Leonard Lopez, Michelle Macleod-McGuirk, Robert Malone, Kyle Marsh, Orin Martin, Stephanie Martin, DennisMcDonald, Mary McGuirk, Paul McIlroy, Kathy McIntyre, Mary McKernan, Whitey Mendenhall, Amy Millan, Frank Minuto, Ron Mittano Montclair High School,Ryan Montgomery, Jennifer Moonjian, Bruce Moore, Patricia Moore, Hayato Nakawatase, Youth Group; Our Savior Center, Patrick Pavelski, Judy Pelouze,Richard Pelouze, Diane Bonjour Redl<strong>and</strong>s Academy, Warren Roberts, S<strong>and</strong>y Rodriguez, James Rosburg, Nathan Ross, Deaglan Ryan, Linda Salo, JohnSchauer, Maria Schauer, Kerstin Schmidt, Dylan Schuyler, Jaime Schuyler, Jeanie Shelton, Stephanie Shelton, Spencer Steed, Mary Stein, Nate Stevens,Shauna Stevens, Mary Story, Steve Story, Lisa Stratton, Matthew Sutton, Beth V<strong>and</strong>er Velde, Elizabeth VanWormer, Regina Varrin, 2003 VolunteerVacations, Scott Wauben, Leilani Williamsen, Robbie Williamsen, <strong>and</strong> Lora York.4<strong>Catalina</strong> Isl<strong>and</strong> <strong>Conservancy</strong>
Volunteers/Faces <strong>and</strong> PlacesVolunteer pilot, Fred Freeman, assistsbiologists Mike Puzzo <strong>and</strong> Susan Cooper track<strong>Catalina</strong> Isl<strong>and</strong> Fox by air.<strong>Catalina</strong> Isl<strong>and</strong> Marine Institute volunteersgetting together for a group photo after theirmorning project in Middle Canyon.Warren Roberts <strong>and</strong> the G.P.S. class fromRio Hondo Junior College take a break aftera week of volunteer work.Summer intern, Blake Bishton, works carefully ashe prepares materials for an upcoming event.Always happy to help, Tina Bertaud getsorganized for a big mailing.Volunteer group coordinator, Doug Millard, iscaught in the middle as volunteers fromMontclair High School take time out for a teambuilding exercise.Above <strong>and</strong> BeyondThe Volunteer Department recognizes the following volunteers for participating with special events <strong>and</strong> our sitemanagers that keep Bosky Dell, Summit Vista Garden <strong>and</strong> Haypress, beautiful. A big thank you to: NCCC Western RegionAmericorps, Anne Johnson Casa Colina, Dave Gardner, Odie Hern<strong>and</strong>ez, Rickie Hern<strong>and</strong>ez, Robert Husted, Jupiter Jones, Adam King, SEA Lab LAConservation Corp, Paul McIlroy, National Sierra Club, Richard Pelouze, Bruce Seibert, Paul Carlton Sierra Sage Club, Esmeralda Soto, Mary Story,Steve Story, Chris Messett U.C.L.A., Cambel Berk University of Arizona, <strong>and</strong> Margarette Wagner.<strong>Conservancy</strong> Times5
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