Leave a Legacy that Protects a Legacy
Empower Catalina’s Future by Planting Seeds Today
The Catalina Island Conservancy’s Ironwood Society invites you to create a legacy that protects Catalina Island’s rare species, wildlands and accessibility for future generations.
Catalina Island is one of the most ecologically rich and culturally significant places in California. With over 42,000 acres of wildlands, 62 miles of undeveloped coastline, and more than 60 species found nowhere else on Earth, the Island’s natural and cultural heritage is irreplaceable—and at risk without continued protection.
The Catalina Island Conservancy has been safeguarding this unique ecosystem since 1972. But in the face of biodiversity loss, invasive species, climate change and the threat of catastrophic wildfires, our work has never been more critical. Legacy giving is one of the most meaningful ways you can ensure Catalina Island thrives today, tomorrow and for generations to come. As one of the oldest and largest nonprofit land trusts in California, the Conservancy is dedicated to advancing conservation, inspiring environmental education and creating unforgettable outdoor experiences through responsible recreation that connect people to this unique island.
What Is the Ironwood Society?
The Ironwood Society is more than a legacy giving program, it is an opportunity to preserve one of the most unique islands on Earth and ensure it remains resilient against ongoing threats. Just as the Catalina Ironwood regenerates when an older trunk falls, lasting conservation depends on one generation preparing the way for the next.
The Catalina ironwood (Lyonothamnus floribundus ssp. floribundus) is among the most ancient living organisms on the Island, with each grove regenerating through one enduring root system that sprouts new life through many generations. Similarly, members of the Ironwood Society become part of a living legacy, rooted in the Island’s past and sustained by those who invest in its future.
Through thoughtful estate planning, Ironwood Society members:
Accelerate bold, science-based restoration efforts
Protect threatened and endangered species and native ecosystems
Expand environmental education through children, youth and family programs
Ensure responsible access to outdoor recreation and cultural experiences
Your Gift . Your Legacy . Your Impact .
Joining the Ironwood Society is a personal and enduring way to make a difference. Legacy gifts help us:
Launch transformative projects like the Catalina Island Restoration Project, Ackerman Native Plant Nursery and the seed farm at Middle Ranch
Engage more than 10,000 students and lifelong learners each year in immersive outdoor education
Protect vulnerable species like the Catalina Island fox and the Catalina ironwood
Create climate-resilient landscapes and wildfire-resistant ecosystems
Provide access to outdoor recreational experiences to over 500,000 people annually
This is more than a gift. It is a powerful commitment to a future where Catalina Island remains protected, accessible and welcoming for all.
“We feel strongly about ethics and responsibility, science and business, and along with that goes stewardship. It’s important to be a steward and not just a user, not just someone who takes. We put the Conservancy in our estate plan because future generations have to appreciate this Island and continue to be stewards. It may be hard to think about leaving your estate, but once you figure out that it’s inevitable and the point is to live as fully and as long as you can, then it becomes a question of what you are going to leave behind.”
- Terry and Larry Grill
Ways to Make a Legacy Gift
Bequests
Designate a gift in your will or living trust—either a dollar amount, a percentage of your estate, or what remains after gifts to loved ones.
Sample language to add to your will or trust:
“I give [the residue of my estate], or [ % of the residue of my estate], or [the sum of dollars] to the Santa Catalina Island Conservancy in Avalon, CA for its general purposes [or for the benefit of the conservation, education, recreation programs or endowment].”
Retirement Accounts
Name the Conservancy as a beneficiary of your IRA or retirement plan. These assets can carry heavy tax burdens if left to heirs.
Life Insurance or Bank Accounts
Designate the Conservancy as the full or partial beneficiary of a life insurance policy, certificate of deposit or brokerage account.
Donor-Advised Funds
Name the Conservancy as a beneficiary of any remaining balance in your Donor-Advised Fund. You can support your legacy of philanthropy beyond your lifetime.
Next Steps
Contact your plan administrator or advisor to update your beneficiary designation or estate attorney for your will or trust.
Provide the following legal information: Ironwood Society
Catalina Island Conservancy P.O. Box 2739, Avalon, CA 90704 Federal Tax ID: 23-7228407
Share your plans with us so we may welcome you to the Ironwood Society
“We became particularly interested in the delicate balance between recreation and the environmental conservation of the Island. We like the Catalina Island Conservancy’s efforts to make those two things work well together.
Catalina Island is an incredible gem that we hope will continue to survive and thrive long after our time on Earth is over. We are both happy and proud to be able to share our love for Catalina and the Conservancy with all those who already understand its value and with those who we hope will come to discover that value.”
- Robert Wald and Suzanne Cranfill-Wald
Benefits of Joining the Ironwood Society
By notifying us of your legacy gift, you will be welcomed into the Ironwood Society, a community of supporters dedicated to Catalina’s long-term protection.
Members receive:
Recognition in Conservancy publications and donor walls (unless you prefer anonymity)
Exclusive invitations to special gatherings and behind-the-scenes experiences
Ongoing updates about your impact in supporting conservation, education and recreation
Legacy stewardship to ensure your wishes are respected and honored
Your decision today becomes part of a shared community that sustains this Island’s future. You do not need to make a large gift to make a lasting impact—only a thoughtful one that reflects your values and aligns with the Conservancy’s mission.
Already Included the Conservancy in Your Plans?
Let us know. We would be honored to welcome you to the Ironwood Society.
All legacy gifts are deeply appreciated and will be used with care, integrity and in accordance with your wishes. Thoughtful planning allows for you to clearly memorialize your philanthropic intentions, support the causes you care about most and provide lasting impact for future generations. It also offers peace of mind, knowing your wishes will be honored and your generosity will be remembered in a way that reflects your life.
The Ironwood Society is where the past, present and future of Catalina Island meet.
Questions?
There are many ways to give. The Conservancy has the expertise to guide you in considering the options described in this brochure, or through other gifting structures.
We encourage you to discuss this important process with your loved ones and financial and legal advisors.
To tell us about a gift you have planned, or to explore the best giving opportunity for you and your family, please contact us.
Ironwood Society
Catalina Island Conservancy
320 Golden Shore, Suite 220
Long Beach, CA 90802
donate@catalinaconservancy.org
562-437-8555
