Volunteers Make a Difference

GROUPS WELCOME

From spring breakers to scout troops to corporate outings, groups of nature enthusiasts frequently come to Catalina to give back. Each spring, college students come to the Island as an alternative to the traditional spring break. These trips incorporate environmental and social causes.

Alternative spring break groups have included students like those from Carleton College in Northfield, Minnesota, who worked to maintain endemic Channel Island scrub oak (Quercus pacifica) that were planted after the fire in 2007, as well as endemic Catalina ironwoods (Lyonothamnus floribundussubsp. floribundus), Toyon (Heteromeles arbutifolia) and Catalina cherry (Prunus ilicifoliasubsp. lyonii), all planted in the last three years. Also in 2019, volunteers from Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio helped tear down a 50-foot section of broken fence by pulling out posts and cutting the old fence off. They replaced fencing by pounding new posts, reattaching all of the wire and putting up new ‘deerbuster’ fencing. After a rewarding first-time experience, many of the school groups return again and again in subsequent years.

Corporations host team-building retreats on Catalina Island, enjoying the opportunity to get into the outdoors, work as a cohesive team, and create an awareness of Island ecology and conservation issues. Specialized medical and rehabilitative care company Casa Colina helped with beach cleanup at Shark Harbor last year, with individuals and their aides also enjoying the nearby tide pools. Armanino Foundation also traveled to the Island to assist with Island maintenance and removing non-native plants, which out-compete endemic plants for light, nutrients, space and water.

These volunteer trips typically last between three and seven days, with participants cooperatively tackling a wide variety of essential projects. Activities are curated and can be adapted to almost any age range, time of year, interests and abilities. Groups that volunteer multiple days have the opportunity to stay at one of the Conservancy’s volunteer camps, enjoying free lodging and transportation to and from volunteer sites.

YEAR-ROUND OPPORTUNITIES

Catalina Island Conservancy has great opportunities for travelers and locals who would like to volunteer. Each Thursday, depending on driver availability, the Conservancy offers volunteering at the Ackerman Native Plant Nursery. Volunteers are picked up in Avalon on Thursday mornings and driven to the nursery at Middle Ranch in the Island’s interior. Volunteers work on a variety of horticultural tasks depending on needs, from sowing seeds and watering to going out into the field weeding, transplanting and taking care of the many newly-planted trees.

In addition to volunteering at the Native Plant Nursery, the Conservancy hosts a beach cleanup at one of the Island’s remote beaches on the second Saturday of each month. Volunteer opportunities in Avalon also include becoming a docent at the Trailhead visitor center. These helpers assist visitors with questions about everything from hiking and biking to Eco Tours. There are also large, annual events that people plan trips around in order to volunteer, including the Catalina Island Marathon, Catalina:The Wild Side Art Show and the Catalina Island Conservancy Ball. At the Conservancy Ball, volunteers help with various tasks including ballroom set-up, giving directional assistance, checking in and escorting guests to their seats, and assisting with the live and silent auctions.

With 42,000 acres to protect, the Conservancy is tasked with a monumental responsibility. Community members and those who love the Island make an enormous impact when they give back by volunteering their time. They truly help forward the Conservancy’s mission to be a responsible steward of our lands through a balance of conservation, education and recreation.

Volunteers stay at one of two volunteer camps: Laura Stein Volunteer Camp with canvas-sided tents, five miles west of Avalon near Haypress Reservoir; and Blackjack Volunteer Camp, composed of four 20-person tents which are named after endemic plants and nestled among evergreen trees further in the interior of the Island. Both have easy access to food preparation spaces and restroom facilities.

For more information about volunteering on Catalina, contact volunteer coordinator Lesly Lieberman at LLieberman@catalinaconservancy.org or 310.510.2595 x112.