What happens during a volunteer trip with Catalina Island Conservancy? There is no single answer – it looks different for everyone! After contacting the Conservancy’s Volunteer Coordinator, Lesly Lieberman, the group leader and the Conservancy work together to create an experience that’s as unique as your participants.
An array of teams, ranging from alternative Spring Break programs, Scouts, groups of friends, families, and corporations, have volunteered on Catalina Island over the years. They enjoy the opportunity to get into the outdoors, work as a cohesive team, and create an awareness of Island ecology and conservation issues. Trips typically last between three and seven days, with participants cooperatively tackling restoration projects. Activities are curated and can be suited to almost any age range, time of year, interests and abilities. Volunteers stay at one of two volunteer camps: Laura Stein Volunteer Camp with canvas-sided tents, five miles west of Avalon near Haypress Reservoir; and Blackjack Volunteer Camp, composed of four FEMA tents named after endemic plants and nestled among evergreen trees further in the interior of the Island.
“Volunteers are a vital part of the Conservancy,” said Lieberman. “With stewardship of 42,000 acres, the Conservancy has a lot of ground to cover. Volunteer groups make a profound impact on the land – and on us. Our goal is to make it an incredibly positive experience for all involved so they not only have a good time on their trip, but want to continue their Catalina adventure and learn more.”
Each group participates in a wide variety of activities. Alternative Spring Break Schools come back year over year. University of Utah worked at Airport in the Sky, sweeping 3,000 feet of runway, and individuals who first came during a University of Nevada Las Vegas outing have since come back on their own. Specialized medical and rehabilitative care company Casa Colina helped with beach cleanup at Shark Harbor, with individuals and their aides also experiencing the nearby tide pools. Armanino Foundation helped with Island maintenance and removing non-native plants, which out-compete endemic plants for light, nutrients, space and water.
Recently, Girl Scout Troop #1305 from Carlsbad, Calif., volunteered, nurturing the native plants through various activities at the James H. Ackerman Native Plant Nursery processing seeds and transplanting plants. The scouts also enjoyed the outdoors while combing the sand at one of Catalina’s windward beaches. Before heading home, the group had time to enjoy the Nature Center and stop by the Trailhead visitor center in Avalon.
“It’s hard to put into words what an amazing four days our scouts had in Catalina,” said Troop Leader Arlene Corte. “Volunteering on Catalina provided a unique opportunity to learn while giving back, and the scouts bonded over bison sightings and s’mores. Honestly, my eyes are welling up recalling all that we did and experienced. This was our first experience with the Catalina Conservancy, but I am confident it will not be our last; the girls are already asking about when we can go again!”
Conservancy volunteer groups are provided with on-Island transportation, training and tools for projects, and accommodation.
“People thank us for the experience of being on Catalina, which sometimes makes me feel guilty because we get so much out of meeting them,” added Lieberman. “We find that we learn as much – if not more – from those who come volunteer on the Island as they do from us. Not only do they help physically with conservation efforts here on Catalina, but we’ve had people fall in love with the Island and recommend Catalina volunteer vacations to their friends and colleagues.”
To learn more about Volunteer Vacations, contact Lesly Lieberman at (310) 510-2592 x112 or llieberman@catalinaconservancy.org.
