Behind the plan to eliminate deer on Catalina Island
Santa Catalina Island is one of the most remote stretches of Los Angeles County, part of a 20-million-year-old archipelago in the Pacific Ocean known as the Channel Islands.
The eight islands have long been populated by humans; the Chumash believe their ancestors came from there. The islands are so biologically diverse: there was once a unique species pygmy mammoths who wander through their hills – that they are often called the Galápagos of North America. Five of the islands now form one of the least visited national parks in the country.
I recently wrote about a proposal that created a storm on Catalina, the island closest to Los Angeles. In an effort they say is necessary to save the island’s native plants, conservationists are proposing to kill all deer on Catalina by shooting them from helicopters.
You can read my full article about the plan here.
The project reflects Catalina’s role as LA’s playground over the past century. The island, which is not part of the national park, was made famous by Golden Age Hollywood stars who partied in the island’s only town, Avalon. A number of songs have been written about the so-called Island of Romance, including the catchy “26 Miles (Santa Catalina)” by the Four Preps and “Avalon” by Al Jolson.
Nearly a century ago, 18 deer were brought to the island for sport hunting. Because they have no natural enemies, their numbers have grown to 2,000. Scientists say the deer must go because they devour drought- and fire-resistant plants that native species depend on.
But the deer have been on Catalina longer than anyone else on the island, and in the eyes of many local people, they feel like an essential part of life. Bre Bussard, who lives on the island and runs a charter boat company, told me her young children believed the docile creatures were Santa’s reindeer.
“Every time we see deer running through town, I tell my kids, ‘Tell Santa’s reindeer what you want for Christmas,’” said Bussard, 30. “It’s just been a wonderful part of their childhood. I feel like if we were to eliminate the deer, it would in a way eliminate some of their youth.
Other Catalina residents oppose the slaughter of all deer for various reasons. Hunting is a favorite pastime on the island and hunters kill 200 deer every year. Johnny Machado, a Catalina native who learned to hunt deer for meat as a child, said he would like to reduce deer numbers the way he knows how.
“I can easily shoot 10 deer, and I can go to town and give that meat away to family and friends,” Machado, 61, said. “The old-timers who don’t go hunting anymore, they would love that.”
If you read one story, let it be this one
Sikh Americans, who are concentrated in California, are on edge.
Where we travel to
Today’s tip comes from Diana Bristol, who lives in Sherman, Conn. lives:
“I’ve been visiting my daughter in LA since she went to USC in ’94. What I like is visiting the Gambling house and bookstore in Pasadena, take a tour and then walk around the block and see all the other Greene and Greene houses. My daughter scattered some of her father’s ashes in the front yard. He studied architecture at USC and I think it’s great that USC purchased the Gamble House and has two architecture students live there.”
Tell us about your favorite places to visit in California. Email your suggestions to CAtoday@nytimes.com. We will share more in future editions of the newsletter.
Tell us
How do you celebrate the holidays in California? With a refreshing walk on the beach, a batch of tamales or stargazing in the desert?
Email me at CAtoday@nytimes.com with your Golden State holiday traditions. Please include your name and the city in which you live.
And before you go: good news
The giant old-growth redwoods at Big Basin Redwoods State Park in the Santa Cruz Mountains are miraculously recovering three years after the CZU Lightning Complex fire decimated the park in Northern California.
Scientists and researchers said last month at a symposium dedicated to the park’s restoration that the ancient colossal trees, some of which are more than 80 meters tall and 1,500 years old, have regrowd at impressive speed since the 2020 fire. Trees that were recently brown or poorly scorched now display lush canopies, and according to one biologist, about 90 percent of the forest’s redwoods are now sprouting.
The revived forest is visible in photos taken daily by Northern Arizona University scientists since the April fire. The photos, shared with the public at the recent symposium, are an uplifting reminder of nature’s ability to regenerate after traumatic events. They are also an encouraging sign for state park officials, who want to continue reopening the park and rebuilding visitor facilities and campgrounds.
“Ecologically, the park is doing great,” said Jon Keeley, a professor of biology at UCLA who has studied the forest. Bay Area News Group in an interview. “The forest will come back as it was adapted.”