Next IMPORTANT STEPS to STOP THE SLAUGHTER OF CATALINA’S DEER

Please read, then ACT!

Did you see the incredible turnout of people at the Avalon City Council meeting on Tuesday? If not, please find some time to watch the brave, moving statements so many people made in support of our movement here 

IMPORTANT - If you have limited time, please TAKE THESE THRE ACTIONS NOW:

1.    ACTION ITEM • Fill This Out → BRIEF FORM (at your earliest convenience)

2.    ACTION ITEM • Important Letters to Send (VERY Important!) → Please MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD

3.    ACTION ITEM • Share this petition widely with friends and family and on social media. (Use forwarding, or copy and paste into social media) https://www.change.org/p/stop-the-slaughter-of-mule-deer-on-catalina-island

These actions ARE MAKING A DIFFERENCE! THANK YOU!

INFORM YOURSELF - If you have additional time, please read this update: 

City Council Meeting Highlights

> Two hundred citizens showed up and picketed the Conservancy’s plan. As you watch, catch a glimpse of Conservancy staff in the chamber laughing and rolling their eyes as citizens made their heartfelt and powerful comments in opposition! If you stay tuned for the Conservancy’s presentation, we’re sure it will infuriate you like it infuriated the 2300 island residents that have signed this petition now nearly 11,000 strong in total! 

> The Catalina Island Conservancy’s patronizing, tunnel-visioned, true-believer Eco-Extremist Lauren Dennhardt, and new Conservancy, CEO Whitney Latorre, who is not a scientist, but rather a photographer and “international storyteller” hired specifically to “spin” Catalina residents, yacht clubs, visitors, public agencies, the media and the general public into submission, showed up to double down. They made so many outrageous, fear-mongering, patently false, and soft-science claims to support their eco-extremist plan: “The deer are sick and starving” (responsible hunters say there are fewer and healthier deer than they’ve ever seen before); “Lyme’s disease!” (VERY few cases in California each year!); “They’re causing climate change!” (that’s a stretch!) “They are eating the sage sacred to the Tongva” (talk about cultural appropriation!) Basically, they are throwing everything at the wall and seeing what might stick. 

> They called the island’s wildlands their “private lands” and access “a gift to the community” when in fact they are only humble stewards of an Open Space Easement and are REQUIRED to provide recreational access and scenic access to the public! 

> CEO Latorre said they’d been working on this action for “a long time” and “didn’t mean for the story to break in the press…we were going to tell the public!” she said. YES we are SURE you are UNHAPPY that your secret plan to kill all of Catalina’s deer broke in the press and she’s missed the point: TELLING the community is not ENGAGING the community and considering their perspective, desires, and the historical, cultural, spiritual and ECONOMIC value of the deer. With Latorre and Dennhardt, it’s PEOPLE VS PLANTS.

HAVE TIME TO LEARN MORE? (We’ll refer you here back to the three important action items)

FACT CHECK on Conservancy Presentation:

1. “We Engaged in a Robust Public Process” - FALSE
The Conservancy says they conducted lots of community outreach and engagement before finalizing their plan. We know the truth!

· Hosting secret “focus” meetings with a few carefully selected people and a token community member is NOT OUTREACH AND ENGAGEMENT! 

· “Grabbing a coffee” with a few people is NOT OUTREACH AND ENGAGEMENT! 

Did you know that the California Department of Fish and Wildlife DENIED the Conservancy’s 2016 application to eradicate deer from the Island in part because they FAILED TO CONDUCT ADVANCE COMMUNITY OUTREACH? Despite this clear direction from the CDFW, in a very on-brand move, the Conservancy ignored the CDFW and did everything they could to avoid having to engage in any way with us about this. 

It’s time that we expose the truth that the Conservancy FAILED to engage with us, FAILED to consider any perspective other than their own, and FAILED to even let us know they were making a decision that would have such a huge impact on our community! Please help us show the decision-makers how insulting and disingenuous it is of the Conservancy to say they reached out or engaged with us in any meaningful way. 

TAKE ACTION! → Please help us by filling out this short form at your earliest convenience.

2. “We Want to Be Respectful, We Want to Hear Your Opinions” - FALSE

Eco-Extremist Dennhardt says the Conservancy respects and cares about your opinion and in the same breath says that the eradication of the deer is a done deal (they think). She also scoffed at and lectured the Island community as if children who aren’t capable of knowing what is best for them. In fact, the community is smart, strong, and HAS already made a considered determination about what is best for the Island and its HUMAN INHABITANTS. In fact, 2300 brave souls (so far!), more than half the Island, have made their opinion clear! Do you REALLY respect us? Will you REALLY listen? The answer is NO.

3. “We Lose Money on the Hunting Program” – FALSE

The hunting program for the responsible management of deer on Catalina Island started long before the Conservancy was even a glimmer in Mr. Wrigley’s eye. The Conservancy’s program charges $5,500 for a 3-day buck/doe hunt, plus $85 per deer hunted, plus the boat ticket. The highly successful program has long been touted by the Conservancy as both a financial and conservation winner  including (and we quote, in defense of its Open Space Easement): “Hunting is the best way to manage the deer population on Catalina Island.” The Conservancy’s MISSION is to be a “responsible steward of its (sic) lands through a balance of conservation, education and recreation. Responsible hunting has been a part of that equation since its inception. Start balancing!

4. “We Are Not a Hunting Organization, We Are A Conservation Organization” – FALSE

On Catalina, the two are synonymous by the Conservancy’s own admission. In one fell swoop, the Conservancy belittled and maligned the many hundreds if not thousands of responsible hunters and hunting organizations who play a crucial role in the successful management of wildlife all over this country. Hunting has always been a part of the Conservancy’s management strategy, has been successful, and could continue to be successful if they would (1) follow the process described to them be the California Department of Fish and Wildlife to increase the number of deer individual hunters can take; (2) lower their prices and TRULY break even or pay for this mission based program so that they attract more hunters; (3) Increase from just ONE the number of qualified outfitters they allow to run guided hunts; (4) Allow qualified islanders to run hunts, among many more possible solutions.

PLEASE TAKE ACTION NOW

1.    If you haven’t already, fill out the form linked above and HERE

2.    Write letters to the officials that have any authority whatsoever with regard to the Santa Catalina Island Open Space Easement. It is SO important that your voice is heard on this topic (follow this link): YES, I WILL MAKE MY VOICE HEARD!

3.    Forward this petition for more people to sign! (Use forwarding, or copy and paste into social media) https://www.change.org/p/stop-the-slaughter-of-mule-deer-on-catalina-island

Stay motivated and continue to ACT— this fight has just begun, and you have an IMPORTANT role to play.

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed individuals can change the world. In fact, it's the only thing that ever has." – Margaret Mead

Thank you!