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.
October 28, 2026
Dear Friends,
What a productive year for Santa Barbara Audubon Society. As I reflect on the year, I’m deeply grateful to our members, volunteers, donors, staff, and Board for your generosity, dedication, and support. Together, we are connecting people with birds and protecting local birdlife through education, conservation, and science.
Thank you to everyone who leads bird walks and field trips, supports our committees and evening programs, advances conservation and science, and contributes to communications and daily operations. Special appreciation to Piper and Kieran for their work at the Audubon Aviary, teachers Wendy and Hilary, and Theo for program and administrative support. Thank you to Lynn Scarlett for writing about this year’s spectacular fall migration!
Select Highlights January – October, 2026 (list is not all-inclusive)
- Conservation Science: The Santa Barbara Independent highlighted SBAS’s efforts to reduce eagle and other bird deaths at the Strauss Wind Project, underscoring the importance of science-informed decision making and SBAS’s commitment to bird conservation. One of many projects led by the Conservation/Science Committee.
- Evening Programs: Eight public lectures, including a program with UC Santa Barbara Arts & Lectures, welcoming 2,200 guests, thanks to our SB Museum of Natural History and UCSB partners.
- Bird Walks & Field Trips: More than 26 outings, including new late-afternoon walks and Birding & Brunch, reaching 540 participants.
- Eyes in the Sky: Delivering 295 days of outreach at the Museum, potentially reaching 106,000 guests, plus 65 offsite programs reaching nearly 7,200 people.
- Meet Your Wild Neighbor: Teaching 355 kindergarten – 2nd grade students through 45 classroom visits at 15 local schools. We’re delighted to include bilingual learners.
- Winter Bird Count for Kids: Engaging 58 youth from 23 schools, their families and volunteers at the popular annual WBC4K event. An additional 75 students participated in bird science learning culminating in a field trip to Lake Los Carneros.
- Community Outreach: Reaching thousands more community members through Earth Day (led by the Community Environmental Council), Bird Month with the SB Botanic Garden, Bird Trivia Nights, and outreach events at MOXI – The Wolf Museum of Exploration + Innovation and the SB Zoo, among other venues.
These accomplishments reflect the collective efforts of our SBAS community. Thank you for helping us grow our reach, inspire the next generation, and protect the birds and habitats we cherish.
May your holidays be filled with peace, birding, joy, health, and time with loved ones!
With gratitude,
Katherine Emery, PhD
Executive Director
Santa Barbara Audubon Society
