Catalina Island Conservancy

What Catalina Island Conservancy does

Catalina Island Conservancy is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit public charity founded in 1972 and headquartered in Avalon, California, with an administrative office in Long Beach. It is the oldest and largest private land trust in California, holding fee ownership of approximately 42,000 acres — about 88% of Catalina Island — including 165 miles of trails, 62 miles of undeveloped shoreline, and the habitats of 60+ endemic plant and animal species. The organization executes a vertically integrated land-management mandate spanning conservation science, habitat restoration, wildlife programs (notably the celebrated Catalina Island fox recovery), and a 30-year "Operation Protect Catalina Island" initiative focused on wildfire risk reduction, freshwater protection, and native plant restoration under a Restoration Management Permit granted by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife in January 2026.

The Conservancy's product surface is organized around three pillars — Conservation, Education, and Recreation — supported by a network of physical assets including the Trailhead Visitor Center (9,000 sq ft), Wrigley Memorial & Botanic Garden (38 acres), Airport in the Sky, the Ackerman Native Plant Nursery, the Wildlands Express shuttle, and three campgrounds along the 38.5-mile Trans-Catalina Trail. Underlying technologies include a 20-year Catalina Invasive Plant Program (CIPP), annual fox capture-and-monitor protocols with Cornell/UC Davis disease testing, 34 acoustic monitoring stations for bird species, and state-approved deer-removal operations using detection dogs, drones, and aerial netting. The 2023-2028 Strategic Plan formalizes the integration of these programs under a unified restoration framework.

Revenue is generated through a diversified mix of recurring memberships (tiered from $50 Friend to $50,000 Founder's Circle, plus a $10 Islander tier for residents), transaction fees on eco tours, camping, garden admission, and airport landings, donor cultivation through the annual Conservancy Ball (which has raised $7.5M+ over 25 years), research permit fees, education program tuition (Naturalist Training, K-12 programming), and episodic grants including a $2M award in June 2026 for invasive-plant removal. The organization serves approximately 1.2 million annual Catalina Island visitors (with ~300,000 accessing Conservancy wildlands), a ~4,000-resident island community, ~4,000 students in outdoor education programs, academic researchers from 10+ universities, and a tiered donor base spanning individual members to institutional philanthropists.

Name

Catalina Island Conservancy

Legal name

Catalina Island Conservancy

Website

https://catalinaconservancy.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1972

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

The Catalina Island Conservancy is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit land trust founded in 1972 that owns and manages 88% of Catalina Island (42,000+ acres), delivering integrated conservation, education, and recreation services to ~1.2 million annual visitors, island residents, students, and academic researchers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Land Conservation and Wildlife Protection Services

NAICS

Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (71219), Zoos and Botanical Gardens (712130), Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312)

SIC

Hotels, Rooming Houses, Camps & Other Lodging Places (7000), Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997)

akta.pro primary industry

Land Trusts & Protected Areas (BPAGAGAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Marine Conservation & Citizen-Science Experiences (reef monitoring, turtle walks) (THAAAIAH), Reef, Island & Coastal Ecotours (mangroves, lagoons, sea caves) (THAAAIAE), Conservation Easements & Land Trust Services (AFAMAMAH)

Keywords

• Land conservation services
• Wildlife habitat restoration
• Outdoor recreation management
• Environmental education programs
• Nature-based tourism

Headquarters

HQ city

Avalon

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Membership Programs: Annual memberships ranging from $50 Friend level to $50,000 Founder's Circle, with tiered benefits including bike passes, campsite discounts, garden admission, and eco tour discounts. Membership required for interior access and bike trails.
2. Eco Tours and Recreation Experiences: Open-air naturalist-led tours into Catalina's interior, available as 2-hour, 3-hour, or private tours. Revenue supports conservation mission directly.
3. Camping Permits and Fees: Fees charged per person per night at Black Jack, Little Harbor, and Parsons Landing campsites. Members receive 50% discount.
4. Wrigley Memorial & Botanic Garden Admission: Admission fees: Adults $16.84, Seniors/Students $11.41, Children 5-12 $8.15, under 5 and members free. Supports native plant research and restoration.
5. Donations and Fundraising: General donations, IRA contributions, stock donations, corporate partnerships, and the annual Conservancy Ball. Over $7.5M raised since Ball began 25 years ago.
6. Airport in the Sky Operations: Landing fees for aircraft: $40-$200 for one-time landings, Aero Club memberships for unlimited annual landings. Restaurant on site.
7. Education Programs: Naturalist training programs (Naturalist 1 free virtual, Naturalist 2 $50-$75, California Naturalist 4-unit course), workshops, and guided botany excursions generate program fees.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

The Catalina Island Conservancy is a nonprofit land trust that protects and manages approximately 42,000 acres (88%) of Catalina Island, providing wildlife conservation, habitat restoration, environmental education, and fee-based recreation services including Eco Tours, camping, the Wrigley Memorial & Botanic Garden, the Airport in the Sky, and the Trans-Catalina Trail. It sells tiered memberships, naturalist training programs, and research permits to fund a 30-year Operation Protect Catalina Island initiative covering wildfire risk reduction, freshwater protection, and native plant restoration.

Product overview

Catalina Island Conservancy operates as a nonprofit land trust offering an integrated portfolio of conservation, education, and recreation services. Core recreation offerings include Eco Tours (naturalist-led wildland tours), the Trans-Catalina Trail (38.5-mile hiking trail), camping at three sites (Black Jack, Little Harbor, Parsons Landing), Wrigley Memorial & Botanic Garden (38-acre endemic plant garden), Airport in the Sky (mountain facility), Wildlands Express shuttle, hiking trails (165+ miles), biking trails (40 miles with Freewheeler Pass), and boat-in camping. Conservation services encompass Wildlife Programs (protecting endemic species like the Catalina Island fox), Habitat Restoration (via the Ackerman Native Plant Nursery and invasive plant control), Research Permits (for academic studies), and Internships (partnership with ACE, USC, CSULB). The organization also operates Operation Protect Catalina Island, a 30-year landscape restoration initiative. Education offerings include Naturalist Training Programs and K-12 Programming. Membership programs provide tiered access to all services from $50 to $50,000.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Eco Tours Open-air, naturalist-led tours through Catalina Island's protected interior, offering wildlife viewing, scenic overlooks, and conservation education to visitors and members.
• Trans-Catalina Trail 38.5-mile trail traversing the entire island, offering multi-day hiking experiences with campsite access for outdoor recreation enthusiasts.
• Camping Tent camping at Black Jack, Little Harbor, and Parsons Landing campsites along the Trans-Catalina Trail, with per-person per-night fees and 50% member discounts.
• Wrigley Memorial & Botanic Garden 38-acre garden featuring endemic and native Catalina Island plants, the Wrigley Memorial, and educational exhibits including Little Fox Hollow for children. Ticketed admission.
• Airport in the Sky 1,602-foot mountaintop airport facility with restaurant, ACE Clearwater Airfield, and trail access, generating landing fees and Aero Club annual memberships.
• Wildlands Express Shuttle Shuttle service providing transportation to interior locations including Airport in the Sky, Black Jack Junction, and Little Harbor, with advance reservations and member discounts.
• Hiking Access Public access to over 165 miles of trails and roads across the island with 17 trailheads, requiring free hiking permits for safety and emergency contact purposes.
• Biking Access Mountain biking access to 40 miles of interior trails and roads via the Freewheeler Bike Pass, which is included with Conservancy membership starting at $50.
• Boat-In Camping Boat-in camping at 17 primitive campsites along nine locations around the northeast shore of Avalon, accessible by private vessel.
• Naturalist Training Programs Three-part naturalist training series covering Catalina's geology, species, human history, and conservation work, plus California Naturalist 4-unit certification course. Program fees apply.
• K-12 Programming Hands-on educational experiences for students from pre-K through college in California's largest outdoor classroom, including the Hathaway Catalina Experience for qualifying high school students.
• Wildlife Programs Programs protecting endemic species including the Catalina Island fox, seabirds, bats, Catalina Island Ornate shrew, and reptiles and amphibians.
• Habitat Restoration Plant management initiatives including the Ackerman Native Plant Nursery, seed collection, invasive plant control, rare plant monitoring, and the Catalina Invasive Plant Program.
• Research Permits Permit program enabling researchers to conduct scientific studies on Catalina Island as a living laboratory, with associated housing, vehicle, and service fees.
• Membership Programs Tiered annual membership levels from $50 Friend to $50,000 Founder's Circle (with a $10 Islander rate for residents), providing bike passes, campsite discounts, garden admission, eco tour discounts, donor recognition, and exclusive event access.
• Volunteer Programs Individual and group volunteer opportunities in interpretation, hospitality, conservation, trails maintenance, and the Catalina Service Retreat for members of the public seeking hands-on conservation experience.

Named customers7 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

48 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• Channel Islands National ParkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with federal agency managing adjacent Channel Islands. Supports research coordination and conservation knowledge sharing for island ecosystem management.
• California State University, Long Beach (CSULB)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partnership for student internships and conservation research. CSULB students participate in paid internship programs on Catalina Island.
• University of Southern California (WIES)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with USC Wrigley Institute of Environmental Studies at Two Harbors provides research housing and facilities for researchers conducting work on Conservancy land.
• University of California, IrvinecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic research collaboration with UCI scientists and educators for island conservation studies.
• Stanford UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic research partnership contributing to scientific studies on Catalina's unique biodiversity and restoration ecology.
• The Nature ConservancyflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerPremier conservation organization collaboration. TNC provided letter of support for Catalina Island Restoration Project and provides ongoing strategic conservation guidance. Dr. Scott Morrison, TNC California State Director, issued public endorsement.
• San Diego Zoo Wildlife AlliancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWildlife conservation partnership supporting research and species recovery programs for Catalina's endemic wildlife.
• Friends of the Island FoxcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDedicated nonprofit partner focused on Island fox conservation, supporting recovery efforts and public education about the endemic subspecies.
• Irvine Ranch ConservancycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with neighboring land trust sharing conservation best practices and research methodologies for Mediterranean ecosystem management.
• Palos Verdes Peninsula Land ConservancycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional land trust partnership for knowledge sharing and conservation coordination in Southern California.
• California Native Plant SocietycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with CNPS supporting native plant conservation. Dr. Nick Jensen publicly endorsed restoration project citing protection of rare plants including mountain mahogany with only 7 individuals remaining.
• Santa Barbara Botanical GardencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic and conservation partnership supporting native plant research and education programs.
• Islands of the Californias Botanical CollaborativecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional collaborative focused on botanical conservation across California Channel Islands.
• American Association of Wildlife ProfessionalscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProfessional organization providing technical guidance on wildlife management and deer removal operations.
• American Bird ConservancycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBird conservation organization supporting avian monitoring programs and habitat protection efforts.
• California Invasive Plant CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership providing guidance on invasive plant management and best practices for the Catalina Invasive Plant Program.
• California Institute for Environmental StudiescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partnership supporting environmental research and conservation studies.
• Channel Islands National Park (Supporters Page)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal agency providing formal support letter for Catalina Island Restoration Project.
• U.S. Department of the InteriorflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal agency providing official support for island restoration efforts through U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
• U.S. Fish and Wildlife ServiceflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal wildlife agency providing technical guidance and support for endangered species recovery programs including Catalina Island fox.
• California Department of Fish and WildlifeflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerState agency that issued Restoration Management Permit (RMP) on January 30, 2026, approving Catalina Island Restoration Project. Ongoing regulatory oversight.
• Southern California EdisoncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUtility company partnership for wildfire prevention and fire-resilient infrastructure planning.
• Los Angeles County Fire DepartmentflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary fire emergency response agency. Conservancy rangers serve as Island's wildland firefighters taking direction from L.A. County Fire. Cooperative wildfire prevention efforts.
• UC DaviscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partnership receiving fox blood samples for disease testing. UC Davis veterinary school supports wildlife health monitoring.
• UCLAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic research partnership with UCLA Institute of the Environment and Sustainability contributing to vegetation and erosion studies.
• Loma Linda UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partnership supporting conservation research and public health aspects of island restoration.
• Wildlands Conservation SciencecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerConservation science organization supporting research and monitoring programs.
• Ventura Land TrustcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional land trust partnership for conservation knowledge sharing.
• Los Angeles Conservation CorpscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWorkforce organization partnership providing additional fire mitigation and conservation corps support for restoration efforts.
• San Gabriel Mountains Regional ConservancyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional conservancy partnership for broader Southern California conservation coordination.
• Hills for EveryoneminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional conservation organization supporting Catalina restoration efforts.
• ICA California (Invasive Species Council)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStatewide invasive species council providing guidance on invasive species management programs.
• Catalina Island Chamber of CommercecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal business association partnership supporting economic sustainability and community engagement.
• Gabrieleno-Tongva CommunityflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndigenous community partnership strengthening cultural connections. Interpretive signs at Wrigley Memorial & Botanic Garden now feature labels in English, Spanish, and Gabrieleno-Tongva language recognizing traditional stewardship.
• HuttopiaminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOutdoor hospitality partner providing camping accommodations on the island.
• Outward BoundcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducational organization partnership providing experiential learning and wilderness programs.
• FoLAR (Friends of the Los Angeles River)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEnvironmental organization supporting regional conservation efforts.
• Los Angeles African American NetworkminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUrban network partnership expanding conservation access to diverse communities.
• National Parks Conservation AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational advocacy organization supporting Channel Islands and Catalina conservation.
• Coastal Corridor AllianceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional coastal conservation alliance supporting Southern California ecosystem protection.
• SLATE-Z ProjectminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerYouth development and conservation partnership connecting underserved communities to environmental careers.
• UC Natural Reserve SystemcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity system partnership supporting research and field studies through USC Wrigley Institute membership.
• American Conservation Experience (ACE)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerConservation corps partnership hosting paid internships for young professionals since 2008. Interns contribute to invasive plant removal, fox trapping, and wildlife surveys.
• Department of Defense (IRT Program)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal partnership through Innovative Readiness Training program enabling runway repairs at ACE Clearwater Airfield in 2019.
• Catalina Island CompanycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPrimary booking partner for campsite reservations through phone (310-510-4205) and online systems. Also operates Hermit Gulch campground and provides ferry services from Two Harbors.
• Catalina ExpresscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPrimary ferry service from San Pedro and Long Beach to Avalon. Cross-promotional partnerships for visitor transportation. Lockers available at terminal for luggage storage.
• Catalina FlyercoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNewport Beach ferry service providing commuter discounts for Conservancy members. Alternative mainland access.
• Catalina BackcountryminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGear haul service for Trans-Catalina Trail hikers who prefer not to carry backpacks. Drop-off service available.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance: Wildlife conservation organization operating the San Diego Zoo and Safari Park, with extensive species recovery, breeding, and habitat restoration programs. Listed as a flagship partner of Catalina Island Conservancy and is highly comparable for its endemic species recovery, wildlife health monitoring, and conservation education.
• Wilderness Land Trust: National nonprofit focused on acquiring private inholdings within designated Wilderness Areas. Comparable as a private land trust with a similar mission of protecting natural landscapes, donor-funded acquisition model, and engagement with federal land management agencies.
• Santa Barbara Botanical Garden: 38-acre botanical garden dedicated to California native plants. Highly comparable to the Wrigley Memorial & Botanic Garden as a native plant-focused institution, with similar research, education, and visitor programming. Listed as a partner.
• Irvine Ranch Conservancy: Southern California land trust managing 50,000+ acres of the Irvine Ranch with a nearly identical operating model: conservation, education, recreation, memberships, eco tours, and donor cultivation. Listed as a direct peer by Catalina Island Conservancy for best-practice sharing in Mediterranean ecosystem management, making it the closest operational comp.

Broad incumbents

• The Nature Conservancy: The largest private environmental land trust in the world, operating across all 50 U.S. states and 80+ countries. Highly comparable as a flagship nonprofit land trust with a similar conservation-purchased land model, donor-funded operations, and active California chapter. The Catalina Island Conservancy has an established partnership with TNC including public endorsement by its California State Director.
• National Audubon Society: National nonprofit dedicated to bird and habitat conservation with extensive sanctuary network. Comparable as a nonprofit conservation organization with membership programs, donor cultivation, and bird-monitoring programs; the Conservancy's 34 audio bird monitoring devices and avian conservation partnerships align with Audubon-style biodiversity work.
• Trust for Public Land: National nonprofit focused on land conservation and creating parks for people. Comparable as a U.S. land trust with similar land acquisition, conservation easement, and public access programming models, but operates across the country rather than concentrating on a single region.

Others

• Land Trust Alliance: National membership organization representing 1,000+ land trusts across the U.S. Functions as the industry trade association for the conservation land trust sector, providing accreditation, standards, and policy advocacy relevant to Catalina Island Conservancy's operating model.

Regional players

• Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy: Southern California land trust protecting open space on the Palos Verdes Peninsula. Listed as a direct partner of Catalina Island Conservancy for knowledge sharing and conservation coordination in the same region, with a more limited geographic footprint.
• Ventura Land Trust: Southern California land trust protecting open space in Ventura County. Listed as a direct partner of Catalina Island Conservancy for coastal conservation knowledge sharing, with similar community-facing programs for hiking, education, and stewardship.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ciconservancy

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Catalina Island Conservancy