During National Park Week and on this Earth Day, we are reminded of the powerful connections formed when people engage with nature, whether through their first camping trip, hiking to amazing vistas, catching a glimpse of a rare plant or animal, or stargazing beneath clear skies rarely seen in cities. Across the country, more than 400 national parks preserve natural and cultural heritage, inviting communities to explore and appreciate the outdoors.

Catalina Island offers a similar spirit of exploration and discovery. Visitors arriving on these shores may not immediately realize they are stepping onto lands safeguarded by one of California’s largest private land trusts, the Catalina Island Conservancy, which protects more than 42,000 acres.

That protection relies on our dedicated staff, rangers, scientists, researchers, community partners, volunteers, tribal leaders and the many who call this Island home.

Yet, despite the flexibility afforded by private stewardship, Catalina Island is not immune from external pressures or the sense of responsibility we share to protect our public lands. Changes in federal conservation policies and proposals aimed at weakening protections like the Endangered Species Act could profoundly affect our Island.

At the Conservancy, we believe in a strong Endangered Species Act to ensure habitat destruction does not lead to the extinction of any plant, animal or insect. The remarkable recovery of the Catalina Island fox, once critically endangered under the Act, illustrates the power and necessity of these protections.

We believe in preserving national parks, monuments and public lands so they remain places of inspiration, learning and recreation.

We believe in the public servants who dedicate their lives to connecting people with nature, including those who are now without jobs at the neighboring Channel Islands National Park.

We believe in telling the full history of our public lands and celebrating the contributions of Indigenous peoples. Here we honor the Gabrielino-Tongva who have called Pimu (Santa Catalina Island) home for at least 10,000 years.

We believe in inviting everyone outdoors and ensuring our natural spaces are open and welcoming to all.

We believe in providing outdoor educational opportunities for young people to become the next generation of environmental champions.

We believe that parks, open spaces and conserved lands should be protected and open for responsible recreation and for the mental and physical well-being of visitors.

We believe in passionately safeguarding the rare and native plants and animals found here and nowhere else on our earth.

The Conservancy remains committed to these values and your support fuels our resolve. Together, let’s protect Catalina Island, and all wild spaces, for today and tomorrow.

With appreciation,

Whitney Latorre
President and CEO