Restoring Habitat in an Restoring Habitat in an
Agricultural System on Agricultural System on
Catalina IslandCatalina Island
Carlos de la Rosa & Shane BarrowCarlos de la Rosa & Shane BarrowCatalina Island ConservancyCatalina Island Conservancy
NCER Conference, Los AngelesNCER Conference, Los Angeles24 July 200924 July 2009
About This Presentation
• Overview of Catalina Island’s history of agricultural and other uses
• Review two recent restoration and adaptive management examples that deal with this management examples that deal with this history
• A discussion on ecosystem restoration and natural and cultural resource protection in a complex socioeconomic setting
•“…to be a responsible steward of its lands through a balance of conservation,
education and recreation.”
Santa Catalina Island, Southern California
Santa Catalina Island, Southern California
• 48,000 acres, 26 miles long, 8 miles wide
Basic Statistics
8 miles wide
• Three land owners
– Catalina Island Conservancy (88%) (Land Trust)
– Santa Catalina Island Company (11%) (Private, for-profit corp.)
– City of Avalon (1%) (Incorporated city, LA County)
• Close to 1.0 million visitors per year
Santa Catalina Island, Southern California
Basic Statistics
• Approximately 4,500 year-round residents
• Mediterranean climate, numerous rare and endemic species (~50), long history of occupation (7,000 years plus), multiple uses, many environmental issues
Catalina Island Timeline
• 7,000 years ago (or more) -Native Americans arrive to Catalina Island.
• 1562 – Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo “discovers” the Island. Calls it San Island. Calls it San Salvador.
• 1602 – Sebastian Vizcaíno revisits the Island. Renames it Santa Catalina.
• 1820 – last Native Americans removed from the Island (becoming part of the Gabrielinos).
Catalina Island Timeline cont.
• 1846-1850 – First ranch established on the Island. Goats introduced.
• 1849 – Gold rush in • 1849 – Gold rush in California. By 1863 prospectors mine silver and other minerals.
• 1850s – Sheep introduced to the Island.
Catalina Island Timeline cont.
• 1852 – California becomes part of the Union.
• 1864 – Union soldiers arrive to the Island. Leave later that year after helping later that year after helping to evict squatters and sheep herders.
• 1887 – Several grants and leases for cattle and sheep.
Catalina Island Timeline cont.
• 1880s – vacationers discover Catalina. Island life will never be the same.
• 1887 – George Shatto • 1887 – George Shatto founds Avalon.
• 1892 – Banning Brothers purchase the Island and form the Santa Catalina Island Company.
Avalon 1883
Catalina Island Timeline cont.
• 1894 – Eagles Nest
Lodge built near
Middle Ranch.
• 1919 – William • 1919 – William
Wrigley Jr. Acquires
the Island Company.
• 1924 – Bison
introduced to the
Island.
Catalina Island Timeline cont.
• 1930s – Pigs introduced (to control rattlesnakes) and deer (for hunting).
• 1940’s – Deer control measures begin.
• 1956 – Feral goat controls • 1956 – Feral goat controls begin.
• 1972 – Catalina Island Conservancy established.
• 1973 – Black buck antelope introduced (2 females and 1 male).
•“…to be a responsible steward of its lands through a balance of conservation,
education and recreation.”
Catalina Island Timeline cont.
• 1975 – The Conservancy receives ownership of 88% of the Island.
• 1979 – Wild turkeys introduced. Other species too (pheasant, chukka and peafowl).chukka and peafowl).
• 1990 – Conservancy begins eradication of goats and pigs.2002-04 – Conservancy begins bison & mule deer management.
• 2004 – Conservancy begins invasive plant removal.
• 2005 – Next to last pig removed from the Island.
Today• The effects of these varied
and wide-ranging land uses are still felt today.
• Resolved Issues:
– Many non-native animals removed (pigs, goats, cattle)
– First decade of long term investment on invasive plants control & eradication
– Well-established education and recreation programs
Today• Pending and In-Progress
Issues:
– Several non-native animals
under management or
planning (bison, mule deer, planning (bison, mule deer,
feral cats)
– Other non-native animals
(rats, starlings, bullfrogs,
occasional raccoon) under
consideration
Today• Pending and In-
Progress Issues (cont.):
– A number of non-
native and invasive
plants under
plants under
management or control
– Fire Management
Two Examples
1. Invasive Plants
Management
(ecosystem-level
restoration)restoration)
2. Bison Management
(species-specific
issue)
Island-wide Weed Inventory
Watershed Management Units
Toyon Canyon
7 0 7 Kilometers
N
EW
S
Top Down Approach
Toyon Canyon 2008
Toyon Canyon 2009
Toyon Canyon 2010
Toyon Canyon 2011
Toyon Canyon 2012 & on
Watershed approach
The only time we alter that approach is to:
•• Prevent new species introductions;Prevent new species introductions;
•• Eradicate incipient species before they become Eradicate incipient species before they become •• Eradicate incipient species before they become Eradicate incipient species before they become
widespread and costly to manage;widespread and costly to manage;
•• Treat widespread species at sites of high conservation Treat widespread species at sites of high conservation
value;value;
•• Eliminate or reduce the spread along dispersal Eliminate or reduce the spread along dispersal
corridors (down the road, in a sense).corridors (down the road, in a sense).
Non-Native Animals
The Bison Story• Why do we still have bison on
the Island?– Iconic species, for the US as
well as for the Island
– Tourism draw
– Mild environmental benefits (introduced annual grasses, fennel)
– Allows us access to ag. funding to do some of these things and much more
– No, we don’t eat our bison (but we did in the past)
What are we doing about it?
• Managing for population
reduction, health, genetics
• Reduction of impact to
sensitive habitats (exclusion, sensitive habitats (exclusion,
fencing)
• Maximize exposure to visitors
• Restore impacted areas
Scope of Ecosystem Restoration
• Socioeconomic context
• Political will and knowledge
• Cultural & historic
background
• Creation of an updated system • Creation of an updated system
of values & benefits
In Summary
• We use a multiple strategy approach that includes:– Eradication & Control
– Active & Passive RestorationRestoration
– Strict protection and enhancement
– Strong community and stakeholder involvement
– Short-term successes & long-term goals
– Sustainability and Eco-culture creation
Conclusions
• Restoration is complex, involving ecology and resource assessment, as well as economic, social and political elements.
• We use Adaptive • We use Adaptive Management to address past and present issues.
• We try to integrate the communities (stakeholders) in the decision-making process.
Acknowledgements
Funding Support:
• Natural Resource Conservation Service
• California Dept. Food and Agriculture
• Coastal Conservancy
• American Conservation Experience
• National Fish and Wildlife Foundation• National Fish and Wildlife Foundation
• The Seaver Institute
• U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
• Wildlife Conservation Board
• Wrigley Fund
• Catalina Island Conservancy Staff, Interns and Volunteers
Thank You!Thank You!
Questions?Questions?