Catalina Conservancy Eco Tour

Welcome, explorers and naturalists, to the threshold of the untamed wilderness. We are turning our backs on the manicured, Mediterranean-inspired streets of Avalon to delve into the rugged, spectacular interior of the island, a…

Our conveyance for this deep interior exploration is a highly specialized piece of machinery: the open-air, biofuel-powered Hummer. The decision by the Conservancy to utilize these specific vehicles is a fascinating intersection…

As we traverse the rolling, golden plains of the interior, we must address the most famous, and perhaps most incongruous, biological anomaly of the island: the presence of the American Bison. The sight of these massive,…

We now turn our analytical lens from the introduced megafauna to the truly endemic treasures of the island’s flora. Because Catalina has been geographically isolated from the mainland for millions of years, its plant life has…

As we crest this exposed ridgeline, the landscape presents a stark, visual narrative of catastrophe and resilience. You will notice significant swathes of terrain where the vegetation is noticeably younger, lower, and…

Our expedition brings us to one of the most remarkable engineering feats on the island: The Airport in the Sky. Situated at a staggering elevation of one thousand six hundred feet above sea level, this facility was literally…

Before we begin our descent back toward civilization, we must acknowledge the faint, winding dirt path intersecting our road: The Trans Catalina Trail. This is the island's premier, brutal test of human endurance. …

As our biofuel Hummer begins the steep, winding descent back toward the harbor of Avalon, it is time to synthesize our observations of the Catalina Island Conservancy's domain. The contrast between the rugged, desolate beauty of…