From the desk of
Katherine Emery, Executive Director
Through our Education and Conservation/Science committees, Santa Barbara Audubon Society (SBAS) is actively working on many initiatives. This update provides an overview of selected current projects, goals, and opportunities for member engagement (the project list is not all-inclusive).
SBAS protects area birdlife and habitat and connects people with birds through education, conservation and science. It’s been a whopping year! SBAS Eyes in the Sky (EITS), the key wildlife education program of SBAS since 2000 and the only federally licensed raptor education program in the county, brought our signature Meet Your Wild Neighbor curriculum to 14 classes across Santa Barbara and Goleta school districts (42 sessions). SBAS also provided live raptor visits to many other local classrooms and senior centers and bird presentations at the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History daily (except Tuesdays). Thank you, SBMNH, for this partnership! We’re now introducing our new Peregrine Falcon, Ace, to the public. We revamped the bird aviaries with beautiful natural branches and enrichment, and we have a new outreach table, featuring a hands-on exhibit with feather specimens and replica bones. This summer, we’ll continue to strengthen and expand the MYWN curriculum to prepare for the coming academic year.
We also celebrated many growing partnerships this year. SBAS was delighted to partner with the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden for “Family Bird Fest,” the Wildling Museum of Art and Nature for “Bird’s Eye View: Four Perspectives,” and the Cheadle Center for Biodiversity & Ecological Restoration and UCSB affiliates for the “Bringing Back our Wetlands” film screening. Collaborating with other nonprofits, we are stronger at protecting birds and their habitats.
We invite bird enthusiasts to get involved and join us at future programs, bird walks, and field trips. Learn more at SantaBarbaraAudubon.org/join-sbas.
The SBAS Board has three volunteer opportunities for organized people who like birds and outreach.
- Education Chair or Co-chair to help with outreach activities
- Development Chair or Co-chair
- Membership Chair or Co-chair
Contact Janice Levasheff for more information on volunteering: email hidden; JavaScript is required.
Thank you for your support of SBAS.
