Tuesday, January 6, 2026 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Fleischmann Auditorium,
Santa Barbara Museum Of Natural History
2559 Puesta del Sol, Santa Barbara, CA
MAP
$5 general admission. Tickets available here and at the door the evening of the event, if still available.
Spanning nine countries and over 2.7 million square miles, the Amazon Basin is the largest and most biodiverse rainforest on Earth. Fed by thousands of rivers, it forms a living mosaic of flooded forests, shifting islands, and towering canopy — home to jaguars, harpy eagles, and river dolphins.
At its heart, this talk is about birds — and the rich lore woven into the Amazon’s history of exploration and discovery. Benny will trace the path of epic expeditions and remarkable avian finds before honing in on Ecuador’s Rio Napo and Yasuní National Park, where an astounding 600 species of birds have been identified, each playing a crucial role in the immense web of life. Along the way, he’ll follow the trail of rare species as they were first described, meet the naturalists who brought them to light, and explore the mysteries still hidden in this extraordinary ecosystem.
Benny will also highlight the role of Indigenous-led ecotourism, including community-owned projects where conservation, culture, and world-class birding converge. Step inside the Amazon’s world of birds, biodiversity, and the remarkable stories that connect them.
Benny Isaac Jacobs-Schwartz owns and operates a bird-guiding business and lifestyle brand called BIRDS by BIJS (pronounced Bee-jus). With a background in biology, ecology, and outdoor education, Benny has worked for over 15 years as a naturalist guide, expedition trip leader, and international bird guide. Benny offers guided birding outings in Southern California and premier birding tours to top tropical locales like Costa Rica, Ecuador, and Colombia.
Benny is a passionate educator and photographer, specializing in birds! Benny is active on social media, where he creates fun, educational videos and posts to inspire others about the natural world with the goal of getting folks to put down their phone and pick up their binoculars.
This Program is Presented by:
Santa Barbara Audubon Society is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization
