Community Corner
Catalina Island’s Survival Plan
A 30-Year Effort to Protect Against Wildfire, Restore Ecosystems
This is a paid post contributed by a Patch Community Partner. The views expressed in this post are the author's own, and the information presented has not been verified by Patch.
The Catalina Island Conservancy announced in October its Operation Protect Catalina plan to safeguard the people, livelihoods and native species that depend on the Island. The Catalina Island Conservancy has announced “Operation Protect Catalina Island,” a combination of conservation initiatives aimed at reducing wildfire risk, safeguarding the Island’s freshwater supply and revitalizing native plant and animal species. The plan, rooted in community safety, marks a pivotal shift in addressing the Island’s escalating environmental threats.
CAL FIRE, California’s Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, designates Catalina Island as a Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone—its highest risk category.
“January’s wind-driven fires in the Palisades and Altadena were a wake-up call for every community in Southern California, confirming that fire season is every season,” said Whitney Latorre, president and CEO of the Catalina Island Conservancy. “On Catalina Island, where steep terrain, historic structures, a visitor-based economy and logistical challenges converge, preparing for wildfire is not optional.”
Action Plans for Resilience
As part of Operation Protect Catalina Island, the Conservancy is pursuing approval for island restoration work through California’s Restoration Management Permit (RMP) program. It is currently under review by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. The RMP streamlines conservation work, allowing critical restoration to move forward efficiently and responsibly. The three main action plans include:
- Establish Healthy Land and Water. Catalina’s resilience begins with healthy land and water. Strong soil prevents erosion, anchors native plants and helps them capture and hold water into the land. Those plants then help replenish groundwater, which also contributes to Avalon’s freshwater supply through aquifers and Middle Ranch Reservoir. The project will start with a pilot restoration area near Airport in the Sky for testing before expanding, treating invasive grasses and tracking recovery across the Island.
- Bring Back Native Plants. Native plants provide essential habitat for wildlife and crowd out invasive grasses that fuel dangerous blazes. They are nature’s best firefighters. Evergreen leaves capture moisture from fog, roots stabilize soil and shelter seeds, and many species rebound quickly after fire. The Conservancy will collect wild seeds from Catalina’s native plants, ensuring they are genetically adapted to the Island, and will use direct seeding methods to restore native plant communities.
- Create Balance for Native Species. Non-native plants and animals disrupt Catalina’s natural balance. Invasive grasses rebound quickly after fire, creating more fuel, while invasive deer feed on young native seedlings before they can recover. Over time, this weakens soils, depletes the natural supply of native seeds and leaves habitats more vulnerable to erosion, drought stress and more frequent wildfires. We’re working to control invasive plants and removing non-native mule deer, deploying advanced monitoring tools to track habitat recovery and protecting native species to help rebuild a more resilient island.
Breaking the Cycle
Invasive species on Catalina Island intensify wildfire risk. Recent mainland wildfires are a stark reminder of how quickly wind-driven flames can escalate in dry, steep terrain.
After fire, invasive grasses rebound quickly, crowding out the slower-growing native plants that naturally resist flames. Invasive mule deer accelerate the problem by feeding on young native seedlings, clearing the way for even more invasive grasses to spread.
This cycle leads to more frequent, destructive fires, which in turn allows invasives to expand further. Scientists describe it as a positive feedback loop: the longer it continues, the more difficult it becomes to restore balance and reduce fire risk.
“Every choice we make comes back to wildfire risk. Invasive deer and invasive grasses create a cycle that fuels hotter, faster fires. Protecting native plants is also protecting people, homes and the Island’s wildlife from those fires,” said Lauren Dennhardt, senior director of conservation.
Community Feedback Shapes the Plan
A key element of Operation Protect Catalina Island is its responsiveness to community input. The deer-removal component of the original proposal drew concern last year from some in the community. In response, the Conservancy engaged with residents, elected leaders and scientists to revise its approach.
“We heard the community’s strongest message clearly: no aerial shooting of invasive mule deer,” Latorre said. “In response, the Conservancy has shifted its plan to use on-the-ground methods, carried out under strict safety protocols as part of a multi-year effort.”
The Conservancy has also received many letters of support from numerous local organizations, political representatives and community members.
During early phases of the project, the Conservancy will continue its locals-only hunting program during the traditional season, allowing residents to put meat in their freezers as broader restoration work begins. The Conservancy has also partnered with the California Condor Recovery Program to provide meat to endangered birds to support their recovery.
Wildfire Prevention Efforts
This summer, the Conservancy rolled out its wildfire prevention and awareness plan. This includes the “Be Fire Free For Fox Sake” campaign, daily fire danger levels posted at catalinaconservancy.org/firefree, and close coordination with the Los Angeles County Fire Department, Avalon City Fire and Southern California Edison.
In 2024, Conservancy crews cleared brush on more than 700 acres, treated highly flammable invasive plants across 150 acres and maintained 165 miles of roads and trails that double as firebreaks and access routes for emergency crews. Eleven Conservancy staff members, including rangers, are now trained as wildland firefighters and equipped to assist under L.A. County’s leadership.
Looking Ahead
The project will begin with a fenced, 10-acre pilot restoration area at Airport in the Sky to test and refine methods before scaling to a 105-acre high-priority restoration zone. Landscape monitoring across 60 long-term plots, first established nearly two decades ago, will track changes in plant cover, species diversity and ground conditions.
“This work will take decades, but the choice is clear,” Latorre said. “We must protect the Island we all depend on, together.”
For more information, visit catalinaconservancy.org/protect.
This post is an advertorial piece contributed by a Patch Community Partner, a local brand partner. To learn more, click here.
