Isla Earth Radio Series for the Catalina Island Conservancy

The Santa Catalina Island Conservancy was formed in 1972 to preserve and protect the native plants and animals, and biotic communities of Santa Catalina Island. Although the bulk of Santa Catalina Island is now owned by the Catalina Island Conservancy, whose charge it is to preserve the Island for posterity, Santa Catalina Island has at various times been the private property of a number of individual owners. When William Wrigley Jr. acquired a majority interest in the Santa Catalina Island Company from the Bannings in 1919, the destiny of the Island began to change forever. This now-historic event cast the die for permanently preserving substantially all of Santa Catalina Island in its natural state. During the next 56 years, various conservation practices were initiated by the Wrigley-led Santa Catalina Island Company, including much-needed animal controls, protection of watersheds and reseeding of overgrazed areas. Conservation efforts on Catalina are carried out in many exciting ways. With scientific research guiding the process, ecological restoration on the Island includes the removal or exclusion of invasive non-native species, those that are detrimental to natives; monitoring of sensitive plants, animals and habitats; and propagation of native plants in the James H. Ackerman Native Plant Nursery. Ongoing research is the life-blood of the work done by the Conservancy on Catalina to help keep the Island healthy and wild for today, and for future generations to enjoy.