June 25, 2019
Long ago, Catalina Island was just a barren rock. How did it become the beautiful island we know today, full of plants and animals? For a good read about Catalina Island restoration, check out: https://milliontrees.me/2018/05/01/catalina-island-island-ecology-and-restoration/
The article explains the answer to the above question. "Catalina Island was composed of barren rock for thousands of years. It took thousands of years to build soil needed to support plants. Then it took thousands of years to establish plants from the seeds blown in the wind from the mainland, brought by birds in their stomachs or adhered to their feathers and feet, or brought by waves carrying plants in storms. When plants gained a foothold, the island was able to support insects brought by wind and waves."
There were only a few species of trees that made it to the island and their numbers were not large. Today, almost all of the trees on Catalina Island were introduced by people. Eucalyptus trees were brought to the island in the 1920's. There are still lots of Eucalyptus trees all over the island and I think they are amazing. They're easy to recognize: look for a huge tree that sheds the outer layer of bark in strips.
Even though they aren't native to the island, they have been allowed by the Catalina Island Conservancy to remain as they are not an invasive species. I had never seen a Eucalyptus tree before this trip and I am glad the Wrigley family brought them here almost one hundred years ago. Eucalyptus trees are definitely a nice addition to Catalina Island.
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