Nature Center at the Airport in the Sky, Catalina

Nature Center at the Airport in the Sky
Santa Catalina Island
http://www.catalinaconservancy.org/index.php?s=visit&p=nature_center_at_airport_in_the_sky

The Nature Center at the Airport in the Sky was founded to entertain and most importantly educate visitors, many of who have seen the Island from the air, but never had a chance to explore it for a closer look.

The outdoor exhibit on the west side of the Airport terminal, is one of the first things visitors who fly to the Island see when walking off the tarmac – presenting them a first look at the issues facing the Catalina Island Conservancy in Island conservation.

The Center’s “PURE” theme engages visitors in learning, exploring and becoming involved in the fulfillment of the mission of the Conservancy.

“Protect” highlights species that are found on Catalina and nowhere else in the world, such as the Catalina Island fox, Catalina shrew, Catalina Mahogany and Saint Catherine’s lace.

“Understand” emphasizes the distribution and abundance of Catalina’s plant communities and wildlife populations, with a focus on the impacts of fire and overgrazing.

“Renew” gives visitors an idea of how the Conservancy is restoring endangered or threatened plants, wildlife and habitats.

“Explore” allows visitors to appreciate the Conservancy’s efforts to keep the Island’s interior a choice destination for tens of thousands of hikers, bikers, backpackers and young people every year, who have come to love the interior’s rugged beauty

Popular with visitors to the Nature Center is the Catalina history timeline featuring life-sized cutouts of the types of individuals who have inhabited the Island’s history from the original inhabitants, the Tongva from at least 6, 800 years ago; to Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo who discovered Catalina in 1542; to the cowboys, miners, and even a “bathing beauty” from the 1880’s when the Island first became a recreational haven for yachters and sports fishermen.

Another popular exhibit is the inspiring, multi-dimensional mural by artist Eve Templeton’s of the Island’s native fauna. Depicted are a family of Catalina quail, sharing the same underbrush as a rattlesnake and a field mouse. As a bald eagle soars above, a grasshopper suns himself and a frog gains a foothold on an oak. Another eagle watches the proceedings from a safe perch while a woodpecker sets to work on a dead tree.

And there is the awe-inspiring 40-foot long, and 28-foot wide tile map of Catalina.

Also at the Airport in the Sky is the DC-3 Gifts & Grill restaurant, famed for its buffalo burgers. You can also get regular beef, chicken, and vegetarian burgers, other sandwiches, and Mexican specialties (including buffalo tacos). During the summer, don't miss out on the Grill's Barbecue's featuring live music from Island band Hot off the Range. Call (310) 510-2196 for reservations.

Contact the Conservancy for latest information.