History of Catalina Island Conservancy in Timeline

The Catalina Island Conservancy is a nonprofit established in 1972 to protect and restore Santa Catalina Island in California. Founded through the efforts of the Wrigley and Offield families, it was created when they deeded 42,135 acres, or 88% of the island, to the organization. The Conservancy focuses on conservation, ecological restoration, and providing educational opportunities related to the island's unique environment.

1924: Bison brought to the island

In 1924, bison were first brought to Catalina Island for a movie, eventually becoming an iconic symbol of the island's culture.

1972: Conservancy established by Wrigley and Offield families

In 1972, the Catalina Island Conservancy was established through the efforts of the Wrigley and Offield families, who deeded 42,135 acres of the island (88%) to the organization.

1972: Conservancy Founded

In 1972, the Catalina Island Conservancy was founded. It is one of the oldest private land trusts in Southern California with the stated goal to be a responsible steward of the lands through a balance of conservation, education and recreation.

1999: Outbreak of distemper virus

In late 1999, an outbreak of distemper virus caused the fox population on Catalina Island to plummet from about 1,300 to just 100 animals.

2000: Catalina Island Fox Recovery Plan Implemented

In 2000, the Catalina Island Conservancy and the Institute for Wildlife Studies implemented the Catalina Island Fox Recovery Plan, which combined relocation, vaccinations, captive breeding and release, and wild fox population monitoring.

2004: Catalina Island fox declared endangered

In 2004, due to a previous outbreak of distemper virus, The US Fish and Wildlife Service declared the Catalina Island fox an endangered sub-species.

2009: Bison Contraceptive Program Started

Beginning in 2009, the Conservancy's scientists started injecting the female bison with porcine zona pellucida (PZP), a contraceptive used for fertility control, to control the herd's size.

2009: Stop the Spread program started

In 2009, the Conservancy's naturalists, CHIRP staff and the many youth camps on the island started a partnership called the Stop the Spread program, which is focused on invasive plant control in and around each camp.

2013: Study reported that the bison contraceptive program was effective

A peer-reviewed study published in 2013 reported that the contraceptive program was effective in controlling the herd. After receiving the contraceptive, the calving rate dropped to 10.4% in the first year and 3.3% the following year.

2013: Stop the Spread program given education to campers

From 2009 to 2013, the Stop the Spread program gave nearly 15,000 campers tens of thousands of hours of education. Campers manage about 450 acres for 75 different invasive species, logging more than 7,000 hours of invasive plant removal a year.

2014: Calving rate dropped

In 2013, a study showed that after receiving the contraceptive, the calving rate dropped to 10.4% in the first year and 3.3% in 2014.

April 2019: Conservancy opened a new base of operations, the Trailhead

In April 2019, the Conservancy opened a new base of operations, the Trailhead, at 708 Crescent Ave in the city of Avalon on Catalina Island. It is the first LEED Gold certified building in Avalon. The Trailhead provides information about recreation opportunities, hiking and biking permits, Conservancy Eco Tours, Wildlands Express shuttles, educational exhibits and a shop. The second floor of the Trailhead features a plein air exhibit and a restaurant, and the third floor includes a native plant garden.

2020: Plans to bring pregnant bison to Catalina Island

After several years without bison births on the island, Catalina Island Conservancy had plans to bring two pregnant bison to Catalina at the end of 2020.

2023: Conservancy Created a plan to cull deer population

In 2023, the Conservancy created a plan to reduce the impact that invasive deer have on native vegetation. They adopted a culling (killing from helicopters) approach.