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Tony Summers1 Shane Barrow2

Charlie de la Rosa Jeff Gilmour

1Catalina Island Conservancy 2American Conservation Experience

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Catalina Island 3rd largest CA Channel island (48k acres)

88% managed by CI Conservancy (42k acres)

220+ nonnative plant species

70+ invasive plant species

Unlimited amount of restoration work!

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Eradication projects

Back and front country removal of high priority invasives

1740 populations (50 species) treated in 2012

Roadside treatment

200’ weed free buffer zone along dispersal vectors

Goal of 210 road miles

Stop the Spread

Outreach/restoration with volunteer groups

Control of invasives in wildland-urban interface

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Conservation Put more boots, tools, and eyes

on the ground

Avoid worker burnout

Education/Outreach Build partnerships

Expose people to important environmental issues

Establish connection with citizens, voters, and potential donors

Professional development

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Unfamiliar with safety hazards

Require more thorough supervision

Unfamiliar with restoration activities

Require more training and oversight

Shorter attention span

Require more motivation/oversight

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Conservancy staff

High skilled level

American Conservation

Experience (ACE)

High and medium skill level

Volunteer groups

Medium and low skill level

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Perform at current skill level and supervise one below

High skill level – Employees, long-term ACE

Survey, eradication projects, dangerous terrain, tree projects

Medium skill level - ACE crews

Manual and basic chemical weed control

Low skill level - Volunteer groups

Manual weed removal and site prep

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Program supervisor and technician

Hourly staff: 4,760 hours in 2012

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Individual placement (3-6 months) Crews (1-2 months) Contractors – stipend: 7,940 hours in 2012

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Camp staff, campers, AmeriCorps NCCC, REGI, USC interns, Alternative Spring Break, Sierra Club

Free to Invasive Plants program: 6,400 hours in 2012

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Adoption of ACE and Stop the

Spread models

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June 2003

May 2011

June 2012

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Ivan Closa Guerrero – PhD Plant Biology, University of Navarra “I have been involved with other voluntary service projects around the world (i.e.

Benin, Africa; Czech Republic) but working with ACE was by far the most amazing and useful experience I have ever been involved.”

Jeff Gilmour – Former Conservancy Invasive Plant Technician “As a volunteer, ACE gave me a chance to work hard, gain experience and

ultimately find a career path (land management).”

Kristine Maurer – MS candidate, Iowa State University “As an intern, I had the opportunity to learn valuable field skills and techniques

associated with invasive plant management as well as gain useful mapping and navigational skills.”

Dan Hernandez – Environmental Science student, Cal Poly “Working for ACE and CHIRP was hands down the most rewarding life experience

I have had to date. The progress seen on Conservancy managed land …is a strong testament to the quality of the program.”

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Obstacles Requires careful oversight Must match task to skill level

Rewards Reduced cost:$24.23/hr to $9.69/hr (60%) Reduced total cost of program 40% while increasing

field hours from 12,700 to 19,100 Trained over 300 young professionals since 2009

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American Conservation Experience

AmeriCorps NCCC Howland’s Landing Camp Emerald Bay Camp Cherry Valley Camp Toyon Bay USC Wrigley Institute Alternative Spring Break