History of Catalina Island Conservancy in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: May 19, 2026

The Catalina Island Conservancy is a non-profit organization dedicated to protecting and restoring Santa Catalina Island in California. Founded in 1972 by the Wrigley and Offield families, the Conservancy manages 88% of the island's land, encompassing 42,135 acres. Its primary mission is the conservation of the island's unique natural environment, ensuring its preservation for future generations.

1924: Bison Brought to Island

In 1924, bison were first brought to Catalina Island for a movie and later became an iconic symbol of the island.

1972: Conservancy Established

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.

1999: Distemper Outbreak

In late 1999, a distemper virus outbreak caused the Catalina Island fox population to decline from about 1,300 to 100 animals.

2000: Fox Recovery Plan Implemented

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

2004: Catalina Island Fox Declared Endangered

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

2009: Bison Contraceptive Program Begins

In 2009, the Conservancy began a contraceptive program, injecting female bison with porcine zona pellucida (PZP) to control herd size.

2009: Stop the Spread Program Begins

In 2009, the Conservancy's Stop the Spread program began, teaching campers about invasive species and involving them in eradication efforts.

2013: Stop the Spread program update

By 2013, the Stop the Spread program had provided education to nearly 15,000 campers, logging more than 7,000 hours of invasive plant removal a year and managing about 450 acres for 75 different invasive species.

2013: Contraceptive Program Study Published

In 2013, a peer-reviewed study reported that the bison contraceptive program was effective in controlling the herd size, reducing the calving rate significantly.

April 2019: Trailhead Opens

In April 2019, the Catalina Island Conservancy opened the Trailhead in Avalon, the first LEED Gold certified building in the city, providing recreational information, hiking and biking permits, Eco Tours, Wildlands Express shuttles, educational exhibits, a shop, a plein air exhibit, a restaurant, and a native plant garden.

2020: Plans to Bring Pregnant Bison to Island

At the end of 2020, after several years without bison births, the Catalina Island Conservancy planned to bring two pregnant bison to Catalina Island.

2023: Deer Culling Plan

In 2023, the Conservancy created a plan to reduce the impact of invasive deer on native vegetation, adopting a culling approach, which faced opposition from some residents.