Current Projects and Goals - Santa Barbara Audubon Society

Current Projects and Goals is regularly published about once a quarter. Its purpose is to communicate to our membership about important issues that the board of directors and committee members are involved with.

Projects and Goals Fall 2025

From the desk of
Katherine Emery, Executive Director

Through our Education and Conservation/Science committees, Santa Barbara Audubon Society (SBAS) is actively working on several initiatives. This update provides an overview of selected current projects, goals, and opportunities for member engagement.

Dear SBAS Friends and Members,

This summer it was an honor to mark my 6-year anniversary as the Executive Director of SBAS. Summer provided time for introspection and planning of upcoming programs, and was a beautiful reminder of the powers of our community. Working as a community to protect area birdlife and habitat and connect people with birds through education, conservation and science is at the heart of everything SBAS does.

In July, the SBAS Board, staff, and EITS volunteers celebrated Hannah Atkinson for her work as EITS Director. I had the pleasure to work closely with Hannah through significant growth of our outreach programs, am deeply grateful for her dedication, and excited for her next adventure at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology.

SBAS wholeheartedly welcomed Mary Zolkoski as our new EITS Director. With her Veterinary background as a twenty-six year surgical nurse technician, hands-on training as Aviary Assistant, and volunteer experience at EITS and Ojai Raptor Center, Mary is a natural match to lead EITS. We are grateful for her skills, indeed.

Mary’s interest in wildlife was sparked at the age of 3-4 years old. Her father, a renowned falconer, was avid about ornithology and worked with raptor recovery, including rehabilitation in their garage. She keeps his bells on her gloves at EITS. Asked about her new role as EITS Director, Mary said, “The focus on our being an education first program is at the heart and center of my interest: sharing our birds, their importance to conservation in a world that is only seeming to get smaller is of great value to me.” Mary commends EITS volunteers’ commitment and is honored to continue the program’s legacy. Mary’s passions include bird watching and bird walks, especially the Friday Audubon Bird Walks.

Moving into fall, it’s exciting to reconnect with our broader community, and embrace renewal and a fresh start for the upcoming year. SBAS offers many ways to connect with birds and birdy friends. We invite you to join us for Bird Walks, Field Trips, Evening Programs, at Trivia Night, zoo, retirement community and library events, and as a volunteer with our Conservation/Science Committee or Eyes in the Sky education program. Please see our website for program details or contact myself or Janice Levasheff to connect.

Thank you for your support. If you haven’t yet, please take a moment to Renew Your Membership today.

Katherine Emery, PhD
Executive Director
Santa Barbara Audubon Society

Projects and Goals Summer 2025

From the desk of
Katherine Emery, Executive Director

Dear Prospective and Lifelong SBAS Members,

On a recent bird walk at Lake Los Carneros in Goleta, I asked SBAS members what connects them to our chapter and mission. One avid birder said, “Getting outside in nature is a nice distraction from politics, and it’s a great way to learn about birds.” “SBAS is the premier environmental organization in the region and it’s an honor to be part of it”, said another. I heard and agreed that “the field trips and bird walks are truly exceptional.” Another champion said, “I am very concerned about the decline in birds and I like feeling I’m doing something about it (by being part of SBAS).” Which leads us to two questions: why is birding in Santa Barbara County unique and how to get more involved?

Extraordinary natural resources. Santa Barbara County’s rich ecological diversity and geography welcome birds and birders, alike. Our beaches, wetlands, streams, rivers, lakes, chaparral, grasslands, oak woodlands, mountain and riparian forests provide habitat for an abundant variety and number of bird species. Additionally, Goleta is in the Pacific Flyway, one of four major North American migration routes for birds. In spring and fall, birding is especially good along this north-south migratory bird route. Indeed, I am grateful to live here.

Birding is fun. Summer can provide time to recharge, try new hobbies, and plan for the upcoming year; along those lines, we welcome prospective members and novice birders to join SBAS now in preparation for upcoming events this fall. If you’re already a dedicated chapter member, thank you! I invite you to reach out to me, share your ideas, and/or volunteer in key positions. Current leadership and committee openings include conservation/science, event planning, board development, and membership.

Working together as a community, SBAS protects area birdlife and habitat and connects people with birds through education, conservation, and science.

Thank you, amazing members, for your time, talents and support. Best wishes and happy summer.

Katherine Emery, PhD
Executive Director
Santa Barbara Audubon Society

Projects and Goals Spring 2025

From the desk of
Katherine Emery, Executive Director

Dear SBAS Members and Supporters,

First, we hope this email finds you and your loved ones well. My heart goes to those impacted by the recent California fires and other events. Second, we thank you for your continued support of our chapter throughout these challenging times. At the 125^th Christmas Bird Count, 187 volunteers counted 214 bird species in the Santa Barbara area. Thank you, CBC leaders and birders! At our 11th Winter Bird Count for Kids, 91 young birders and families led by 44 volunteers counted 66 bird species at Lake Los Carneros. Thank you to the City of Goleta for partnering with us to make this event possible. Coming together as a community is meaningful. We appreciate you.

Over the winter holiday, I reflected on how incredible and resilient people, animals, and plants are. I brought two of my children to Joshua Tree National Park for the first time. Did we want to see a Greater Roadrunner? Yes. Did we see one? No. We saw barren, beautiful protected open space, scampered over boulders, and took a breath to pause and appreciate the stillness and sunsets. I learned that Joshua trees grow after the freeze damages their branch tips; they rely on the Yucca Moth for pollination. The tree’s ability to thrive in frigid temperatures and its mutualistic relationship with the moth are a wonder and inspiration.

As we move into a new year, SBAS remains dedicated to protecting area birdlife and habitat and connecting people with birds through education, conservation, and science. Thank you to our community.

I wish all of you the best for 2025.

Katherine Emery, PhD
Executive Director
Santa Barbara Audubon Society

Projects and Goals Winter 2024

From the desk of
Katherine Emery, Executive Director

Dear SBAS Members and Supporters,

With gratitude, I write this update. Thank you to our legacy partner, the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History, who champions SBAS and supports our work to protect birds. Collaborating with the Museum broadens our reach, and through Program Chair Roman Baratiak’s orchestry, SBAS is creating more partnerships, such as with Friends of California Condors Wild and Free, to enhance public awareness to protect endangered bird species.

Thank you to the SBAS Board and staff who work tirelessly to further SBAS’ mission. At our September Board retreat, we shared ideas about passions and goals of our non-profit bird education and conservation organization. Three focuses are:

Connecting people to birds by teaching about birdlife.
Being a community where people can unite and be part of a birding conservation family.
Protecting birds and their habitats.

Take home message. Please join us on a free bird walk this winter. Going in the field to learn about birds is invaluable. On a recent visit to the BayWa wind farm, I found it surreal and eye opening to see turbines poking through the fog. Local walks are also enlightening. One can study birds first-hand and reconnect with old friends or make a new one. Learning and working together, we can protect birds and our beautiful Santa Barbara open spaces, riparian zones, and coastal habitats.

Thank you, All, for your support.

P.S. SBAS welcomes chapter members to volunteer for an hour or two at our outreach events. If you are interested, please contact email hidden; JavaScript is required.

Katherine Emery, PhD
Executive Director
Santa Barbara Audubon Society