Collaboration Across Borders | The Conservation Journey of Guadalupe Island

Join us for an insightful lecture hosted by Luciana Luna-Mendoza, Ph.D., Director of Ecology at the Grupo de Ecología y Conservación de Islas (GECI), as we celebrate Latino Conservation Week 2024 at Santa Barbara Botanic Garden.

Discover how Guadalupe Island, located off the coast of the Baja California Peninsula, shares botanical connections with California’s Channel Islands—including species like the Catalina Nightshade (Solanum wallacei) and the Island Oak (Quercus tomentella). Both regions have faced similar conservation challenges, such as invasive herbivores, but are now undergoing vegetation recovery efforts thanks to collaborative conservation.

This talk explores the ecological restoration of Guadalupe Island, where decades of habitat degradation caused by feral goats resulted in the loss of plant species and degraded forests. Learn how innovative restoration efforts have led to the return of previously lost species, the discovery of new ones like the Island Ceanothus (Ceanothus arboreus), and the revival of native forests.

With an ongoing partnership between GECI, the Garden, and other institutions in Mexico and the U.S., conservationists aim to restore the islands’ genetic diversity, protect rare plants such as the San Nicolas Island Lomatium (Lomatium insulare), and ensure these ecosystems continue to thrive.

Together, we’re working to safeguard the unique biodiversity and ecosystem services of all the California islands for future generations. 🌿

00:00 Introduction to Dr. Luciana Luna Mendoza
02:19 The Unique Flora of Guadalupe Island
03:24 Protected Areas and Island Biodiversity
06:43 Challenges and Conservation Efforts
07:01 The Role of Botanical Gardens and Herbaria
10:22 Restoration Projects on Guadalupe Island
16:36 Impact of Invasive Species
21:00 Recovery and Reforestation Efforts
29:46 Collaborative Projects Overview
29:59 Rediscovery and Conservation of Rare Species
31:16 Genetic Analysis and Species Differentiation
31:39 Mapping and Studying Island Biodiversity
32:26 Future Conservation Initiatives
33:47 Q&A Session Begins
34:15 Biodiversity of Guadalupe Island
35:46 Success Stories and Challenges
37:38 Personal Journey and Advice
40:31 Future Conservation Steps
43:43 First Impressions of the Islands
49:19 Decision-Making in Conservation
53:01 How to Support Conservation Efforts
57:42 Closing Remarks and Contact Information

About the Speaker:
Luciana Luna-Mendoza, Ph.D. is the Director of Ecology at the Grupo de Ecología y Conservación de Islas (GECI) in Ensenada, Mexico. Over the past 25 years, GECI has removed 60 populations of invasive mammals of 11 species in 39 Mexican islands. This has been followed with reforestation, erosion control, and fire prevention actions that includes planting hundreds of thousands of trees. Their hard work and ingenuity seem boundless.

🔗 Learn more about GECI: https://www.islas.org.mx/#gsc.tab=0
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#LatinoConservationWeek #ConservationSuccess #GuadalupeIsland #ChannelIslands #EcologicalRestoration #NativePlants #SantaBarbaraBotanicGarden #GECI