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Top News
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Species Recovery
California Condors
Restoring California Condors to the wild, since 1997
Restoring California Condors to the wild, since 1997
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By the 1980s, the California Condor (Gymnogyps californianus) population was in crisis, and extinction in the wild seemed imminent. The dramatic decline of condors in the 20th century has been attributed to shooting, poisoning, electric power lines, egg collecting, and habitat loss. In 1987, the last wild California Condor was taken into captivity to join the 26 remaining condors in an attempt to bolster the population through a captive breeding program. At that time, it was uncertain whether or not North America's largest flying land bird (by wingspan, 9.5 feet) would ever again soar in the wild.
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If you find a sick, injured, or deceased condor: Please do not attempt to handle or move them, contact us ASAP and we will assist.
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Bald Eagles
From 1986-2000, restored a breeding population of Bald Eagles to the central California coast
From 1986-2000, restored a breeding population of Bald Eagles to the central California coast
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Bald Eagles are breeding once again in the central California coast region, thanks to a successful re-introduction project. In 14-years we released 70 juvenile Bald Eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) at our Big Sur Sanctuary. Our goal was to establish a population of four adult breeding Bald Eagle pairs, in the hopes of creating a self-sustaining population. At our last count, we found 30 nesting territories and the wild Bald Eagle population is thriving!
This video, filmed June 13, 2024, shows a mother feeding her eaglets in San Simeon, CA. These descendants of the 70 Bald Eagles released over 24 years ago are a testament to our species recovery program's success!
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Education
Connecting youth to nature since 1992
Connecting youth to nature since 1992
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We provide outdoor education programs that connect youth with nature and discovery. Using our fleet of four 15-passenger vans, we pick up participants from communities stretching from Castroville to Salinas, and inland from Prunedale to Greenfield. Our adventures take students whale watching in the bay, kayaking at Elkhorn Slough, exploring tidepools at Point Pinos, venturing into caves at Pinnacles National Park, and hiking through forests in the Ventana Wilderness. For many, these are first-time experiences that open the door to a new world, new emotions, and new possibilities. Each year, more than 1,300 youth take part in our programs - but our focus remains on the individual, their personal discoveries, and the potential they hold to inspire others.
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VWS partners with communities throughout Monterey County to offer weekly off-site nature classes for youth during the school year. In addition, we host monthly on-site Community Outdoor Club meetings, single-day field trips, and overnight campouts for participants of all ages year-round. More . . .
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