A tennis tournament in Palm Desert brought a North Carolina couple out to California earlier this year and led to an unexpected but fulfilling partnership with the Catalina Island Conservancy. While visiting the Golden State, Mike Glancey’s wife suggested a visit to Catalina Island. Though she grew up in Southern California, she had never been to the Island. The spontaneous trip offshore left Glancey so in awe that he found himself returning just weeks later to volunteer with the Conservancy. 

“I’m a master gardener and I’m very interested in ecological and horticultural issues,” explained Glancey. “When we came out to the Island, we did an eco tour. It’s just a totally different environment and ecosystem with totally different plant life – I found it fascinating and educational.” 

After completing their tour, Glancey received a survey. Did he enjoy the eco tour? Absolutely. Would he be interested in volunteering? He wholeheartedly checked “yes.” 

Upon checking that box, Glancey recalls it wasn’t more than 24 hours later that he received a call from Conservancy Director of Volunteer and Community Engagement Chris Young.  

“When I rang Mike in response to the survey, it was clear he was motivated and energized to come volunteer with the Conservancy, and finding a way to plug him in would be worthwhile,” recalled Young. “He mentioned being a master certified gardener and helping establish a local Habitat for Humanity. We discussed our shared passion for Habitat and volunteering. Initially, I thought Mike was a resident of southern California. I was surprised to learn he would be flying out from North Carolina.” 

The 76-year-old Wilmington resident swiftly boarded a plane back to California in late May and ventured out onto Catalina Island. He ultimately stayed for two weeks, volunteering daily in the Wrigley Memorial & Botanical Garden. 

“Everyone I met through the Conservancy, every aspect, was inviting and welcoming. I mean it was hospitality 101,” said Glancey. “I had to demonstrate I was for real – I wasn’t just here to gawk and take it in as a tourist. Like Frank Sinatra said, “All or Nothing at All.’”  

Glancey worked alongside Joseph Vickers and Jorge Hernandez, garden maintenance staff, doing everything from weeding to minor road maintenance.  

“Mike was a joy to have in the Garden,” said Vickers. “He has a wealth of botanical knowledge and is a hard worker. He helped us with a variety of tasks, including watering, raking and maintaining paths, and trimming much of this past spring’s overgrowth. Mike put in full eight-hour days for two weeks straight and did it with a smile and a laugh the entire time.” 

As Glancey recalled, there was a lot of work involving wheelbarrows.  

“Jorge looked at me one day and said, ‘You really work,’ and I said ‘Yup, that’s what I’m here for,’” he recounted. “Going uphill all day long, I went to bed every night at 7:30 p.m. and slept 10 hours. Jorge has the utmost work ethic and dignity. He already has projects for me when I get back.” 

And he does plan to return. Glancey, who also hiked the Trans-Catalina trail during his stay on the Island, is fascinated by the local environment and is driven to learn more. 

 “Ironwood, Saint Catherine’s lace – the idea that these are unique to the Island and exist nowhere else. That’s amazing to me,” he shared. “We have a lot of plant species in North Carolina, but we don’t have that many species that are actually endemic to the state. You have this tiny little island with plant species that are endemic. The whole concept of this being a unique system of endemic species – plant and animal – is fascinating. I immersed myself in it and it was rewarding.” 

That passion for learning and discovery is what Young looks for in volunteers.  

“Repeat volunteers are the best. They are knowledgeable and their enthusiasm is infectious,” explained Young. “It is a big help to staff when volunteers already know how we operate and what needs to be accomplished.” 

There are many ways to volunteer with the Conservancy, including the monthly Restore and Explore Island cleanup and gardening at the Ackerman Native Plant Nursery. Conservancy members also exclusively have the opportunity to volunteer as a docent, which includes a complimentary roundtrip ferry pass, snacks and beverages. To learn more, visit the Get Involved page on the Catalina Island Conservancy website.