Conservation
Catalina Island Plants & Animals
Catalina Island is home to more than 60 endemic plants and animals, found nowhere else in the world.
A key focus of the Conservancy’s mission has always been to protect the unique Island landscape and the distinctive flora and fauna found here and nowhere else in the world. Catalina has more than 60 endemic species of plants, animals and invertebrates that reside within this beautiful yet fragile ecosystem. View the full list of endemic species.
Fauna
Catalina Island has a wider diversity of animals than most of the other Southern California Channel Islands. The goal of the Wildlife Program is to support resilient native animal populations where rare and endemic Island fauna are not at risk.
CATALINA ISLAND ENDEMIC SPECIES MAMMALS
5 Sub-Species
Catalina ground squirrel (Spermophilus beecheyi nesioticus)
Catalina Island deer mouse (Peromyscus maniculatus catalinae)
Catalina Island fox (Urocyon littoralis catalinae)
Catalina Island harvest mouse (Reithrodontomys megalotis catalinae)
Catalina Island shrew (Sorex ornatus willetti)
A number of other native, non-native, and invasive species can be found on Catalina Island, as well. Click through the info boxes below to learn more about native versus introduced animals.
Flora
Preserving habitat via plant management is one of the major initiatives of the Conservancy. This involves native plant cultivation and removal of invasive plants.
CATALINA ISLAND ENDEMIC SPECIES PLANTS
3 species, 6 sub-species
Catalina ironwood (Lyonothamnus floribundus floribundus)
Catalina liveforever (Dudleya hassei)
Catalina manzanita (Arctostaphylos catalinae)
Catalina popcorn flower (Plagiobothrys canescens var. catalinensis)
Island mountain mahogany (Cercocarpus traskiae)
Santa Catalina bedstraw (Galium catalinense catalinense)
Santa Catalina Island bush-mallow (Malacothamnus fasciculatus var. catalinensis)
St. Catherine’s lace (Eriogonum giganteum var. giganteum)
Trask’s yerba santa (Eriodictyon traskiae var. traskiae)
A number of other native, non-native, and invasive species can be found on Catalina Island, as well. Click through the info boxes below to learn more about native versus introduced plants.
