For the Islander
The Catalina Island Conservancy and more than 500 guests celebrated the 24th Annual Conservancy Ball on Saturday, April 6, in the historic Avalon Casino Ballroom.
Many guests arrived looking “fly” in black tie attire in honor of the event’s theme, Soaring Over Catalina, celebrating the public-military partnership to repair the runway at Catalina Island Conservancy’s Airport in the Sky. Attendees danced into the evening to the big band sounds of Society Beat. They bid on one-of-a-kind auction items, including a hand-painted Balthazar of Rusack Santa Catalina Island Vineyards wine, a handmade quilt featuring scenes of Catalina Island, collectible Catalina memorabilia and exciting trips helping to raise an all- time record of more than $750,000 for the Conservancy’s programs to restore and protect the Island and provide educational and nature-based recreational opportunities on the 42,000 acres it stewards.
Conservancy President and CEO Tony Budrovich welcomed guests and invited attendees to join him in celebrating the successful progress of the unique partnership between the military and the Conservancy on the Airport in the Sky’s Runway Repair Project. The Conservancy, working with the Department of Defense, U.S. Marine Corps and U.S. Navy completed an Innovative Readiness Training project that markedly enhanced the durability and lifespan of the runway at the newly named ACE Clearwater Airfield.
Elected officials—including Avalon Mayor Anni Marshall and Field Deputy Herlinda Chico representing 4th District Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn, along with U.S. Marine Corps representatives Lt. Colonel Duncan Buchanan from I Marine Expeditionary Force and Colonel Matthew Seay from 3rd Marine Airwing Support Squadron (3rd MAW) – spoke about this innovative partnership.
Additionally, noting a great success, Budrovich declared victory on the Conservancy’s first capital campaign – IMAGINE CATALINA. The Conservancy exceeded its $17 million campaign goal for the new Trailhead visitor center, 27 miles of extended trails and trail restrooms, along with general conservation work on the west end of the Island.
In anticipation of continued progress, guests enjoyed a short video highlighting the history of Airport in the Sky and the progress of repairs at ACE Clearwater Airfield.
Budrovich then shared details about the highly anticipated Trailhead visitor center, scheduled to open April 30. It is the culmination of phase one of the IMAGINE CATALINA campaign, and will serve as the gateway to Catalina’s wildlands.
“These projects help us to fulfill our mission to be responsible stewards of Catalina Island. We wish to thank all of our guests for your commitment to protecting and restoring Catalina Island. Your support of the Catalina Island Conservancy is critical to our annual conservation, education and recreation projects that keep the Island accessible for future generations,” said Budrovich. “We are extremely grateful to our many generous sponsors that helped underwrite this event, including key corporate partners Edison International, Capital Group, and Jordahl Construction, along with our various community partners and individual sponsors.”
