Catalina Island Conservancy (Avalon, California) Provides Service Opportunities

The Catalina Island Conservancy is dedicated to protecting 88% of Catalina Island, including over 62 miles of untouched beaches and remote coves. This remarkable landscape is home to more than 60 species of endemic plants, animals and insects. The NEEF grant project is focused on providing critical invasive plant species management to improve targeted habitats for the Avalon Hairstreak butterfly, Catalina orange streak butterfly, cuckoo bee and the Allen’s hummingbird. In honor of the Conservancy’s dual focus on conservation and education, the grant project also included several engagement programs related to these native pollinators and the habitat work.

To manage invasive species, the Conservancy worked with a crew from American Conservation Experience (ACE), a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing rewarding environmental service opportunities for young adults and emerging professionals of all backgrounds to explore and improve public lands while gaining practical professional experience. Three interns were even hired full time! By combining ACE and regular volunteer efforts, an impressive 2,738.5 acres of Catalina were cleared of Flax-leaved Broom and other invasives. In addition, the Catalina education team integrated invasive plant management topics into ACE’s K-12 education programs, Naturalist Level 2 adult excursion and a virtual lecture for the community.