Catalina Conservancy VolunteersAt — Santa Catalina Island Conservancy
College volunteers with the Santa Catalina Island Conservancy can participate in a variety of hands-on environmental stewardship activities that support the protection and restoration of Catalina Island’s ecosystems. Opportunities include invasive plant removal, propagating native species at the Conservancy’s native plant nursery, maintaining the Wrigley Memorial & Botanic Garden, and supporting demonstration garden care. Students can also assist with beach clean-ups and trail maintenance across the island’s wildlands. These activities provide practical conservation experience, exposure to land management practices, and a chance to contribute to habitat restoration and environmental health. Volunteers gain useful field skills, work alongside like-minded peers, and help preserve one of Southern California’s most unique natural environments.
Volunteering with the Catalina Island Conservancy offers students practical experience in island ecology, native and invasive plant identification, and habitat restoration. Through activities such as nursery propagation, botanic garden and demonstration garden maintenance, invasive species removal, beach clean-ups, and trail work, students develop hands-on skills in horticulture, fieldwork, tool use, and ecological monitoring. They also gain an understanding of land management practices, erosion control, and coastal ecosystem health. In addition, students build teamwork, communication, and problem-solving skills while strengthening their environmental stewardship and preparing for future studies or careers in conservation and environmental science.
Training for student volunteers would include a brief orientation on safety, field protocols, and responsible stewardship, followed by task-specific instruction. This covers identifying native and invasive plants, proper techniques for removal and native plant propagation, and procedures for maintaining the botanic and demonstration gardens. Volunteers would also receive guidance on beach clean-up methods, trail maintenance basics, tool use, and erosion-prevention practices.
Volunteers should bring sturdy shoes, hat, refillable water bottle, sunscreen, and dress in layers.
| Hours | Duration |
|---|---|
| 8 | hours per placement |