Future Prospects for Catalina -- Optimistic!

Pictured: The endemic Catalina Island Fox. 

Since the Catalina Island Conservancy acts as to preserve and restore the majority of the land, the island's future looks hopeful. So far the Conservancy has reduced non-native plant and animal species and will continue to do so in the future. This reduction can be exemplified by the invasive bison population. In addition to their reduction, non-native species will also be studied to survey their impacts and to help create new plans to manage the island's natural ecosystem. An example of a plan already in progress is the Catalina Island Fox Recovery Plan, which has succeeded in saving the foxes from near extinction [Catalina Island Conservancy]. Besides flora and fauna, the island's ecological footprint reduction also looks hopeful as the Sustainability Action Group set goals to cut back on water use and electricity use. The group also aims to build a more sustainable infrastructure and public transportation system [Catalina Sustainability Action Group]. Together both groups will continue to strive for an economically and environmentally sustainable future.

Improvements/Maintenance of Human Impacts

Visitors frequent Catalina to learn about its ecosystem.

To maintain positive human impacts on the island, the Catalina Island Conservancy should continue their efforts to reduce invasive species introduced by humans and to oversee species endangered by human contact. Also, the Sustainability Action Group should really publish and advertise their goals to the public, including tourists. The group needs to emphasize the responsibility that everyone shares when living or visiting Catalina. To improve their systems, both the Conservancy and the Group should try to educate the public about the delicate ecosystem on the island. Additionally, the two could enforce stricter protocols regarding resident and visitor resource usage. It would also be wise to monitor the introduction of any potential invasive species by requiring that pets and certain plants go through an airport customs-like system.