The City of Avalon on Catalina Island, off the coast of Southern California, claims tourism as the area’s primary industry, but points out that 85% of the island lies within the Catalina Island Conservancy, an area meant to be “maintained in its natural state in perpetuity.”

The inherent conflict in the dual island role has been present for years and coming to a head in recent months. The result has been an exodus of talent from the 40-year-old nonprofit conservancy, the oldest and largest private land trust in California, because they believe that conservancy President and CEO Ann Muscat is focusing too much attention on tourism.

Chief Conservation and Science Officer Carlos de la Rosa stepped down in March and the position remains unfilled. De la Rosa, who had been with conservancy since 2006, told the Los Angeles Times he was quitting because, “In this conservancy, conservation is no longer a passion. It is more interested in generating tourism dollars with flashy attractions.” He moved to Costa Rica and took a job as director of the Organization of Tropical Studies’ La Selva biological field station. The position remains unfilled.

Treasurer and Chief Operating Officer Mel Dinkel quit in May and his wife, Chief of Educational Outreach and Marketing Leslie Baer, has taken a sick leave. Board Chairman Cliff Hague left in October with unflattering things to say about the organization, the same month Chief Development Officer Jackie McDougall resigned.

The conservancy doesn’t mention tourism in its mission statement— just a commitment to “conservation, education and recreation”— or on its “About Us” page where it touts its leadership in “conservation programs that protect and restore endangered species and threatened habitats.”

But Muscat said change is necessary. “We are in an emotional time of transition within the conservancy, a time of change as we think about plans for the next 20 years to help us ensure our economic stability,” she told the Times.

A recent point of contention was the seven-figure purchase of the century-old, 14-room Catherine Hotel in Avalon, the island’s only incorporated city. Some conservationists questioned using the conservancy’s resources on a project to turn the hotel into its headquarters, with a restaurant, gift shop and promotional information for other tourist attractions in the area.

The conservancy―established up by its major benefactors, the Wrigley family―oversees a 42,000-acre nature preserve using a $12 million budget funded by philanthropy, grants, endowments, gift store sales and tours. It employs a staff of 80, including 10 biologists, but recent budget cuts have taken a toll on field research.    

–Ken Broder

To Learn More:

Head of Catalina Island Conservancy at Center of Controversy (by Louis Sahagun, Los Angeles Times)

Tourism Clashes with Research in Planning Catalina's Future (by Louis Sahagun, Los Angeles Times)

Catalina Island Conservancy Plans Tourist Lures (Associated Press)