The Ackerman Native Plant Open House and Sale, an annually anticipated horticultural event, is an opportunity to buy native plants and support the nursery. If you haven't already, I invite you to RSVP for the free BBQ on March 24. It's a great way to learn about the critical role the nursery program plays in our work to keep Catalina's wildlands wild, and thriving.
It's also a great opportunity to meet some of our conservation staff, like Peter Dixon, our nursery supervisor profiled here in this issue of Conservancy Update.
Sincerely,
Ann M. Muscat, Ph.D., President and CEO
PARTICIPATE
SECOND BZ JONES CROSS-CATALINA HIKE
BZ Jones -The hike honors the late Graham "BZ" Jones, sailor, adventurer, and ardent supporter of the Conservancy.
By Bob Rhein
The Catalina Marineros invite you to join a fun spring social event wrapped around a spectacular bit of exercise - the 11-mile BZ Jones Hike crosses Catalina's widest section. This jaunt is from Ben Weston Beach to White's Landing.
Rest and lunch stops at Bosky Dell and Black Jack Camp are included.
The event is limited to 110 participants, so sign up now!
Tickets and sponsorships for this year's Conservancy Ball, Camp Catalina, are on sale now. A campfire setting never had such an irresistible black-tie backdrop than the one in store at the Avalon Casino Ballroom on Saturday, April 13. There are some wonderful items available through the auction as well. Click here for a preview of this year's auction items.
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THE TOUGHEST MARATHON YOU'LL EVER LOVE
The Catalina Island Conservancy Marathon is next weekend! It's been ranked No. 6 on weather.com's list of "World's 15 Toughest Marathons". Register here! By participating you will support the Conservancy's nonprofit work to keep Catalina's Wildlands wild. Run for a reason.
FROM THE FIELD
CHAPARRAL DROUGHT TOLERANCE STUDIED
Plant Studies - Researchers are studying drought tolerance among Catalina's chaparral communities. This one, fronted by sunflowers, is near Cape Canyon Reservoir. Photo by Jack Baldelli
Research on the drought tolerance of native chaparral has been ongoing on the Island this winter. Aaron Ramirez, a Ph.D. candidate at the University of California, Berkeley, has done much research on Catalina and presented a paper in October on chaparral's drought tolerance at the 8th California Island Symposium in Ventura.
Banner photo: Nursery Plant Sale -The Ackerman Native Plant Nursery Open House and Sale will feature many Catalina Island natives and endemics from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, March 24, 2013. For reservations on a shuttle to the event at Middle Ranch, call (310) 510-1299, extension 239.
