JOIN US FOR A CAPTIVATING FREE LECTURE EXPLORING THE REMARKABLE JOURNEY OF THE ENDANGERED CALIFORNIA CONDOR AND THE ORIGINS OF THE GROUNDBREAKING CAPTIVE BREEDING PROGRAM.
Join Friends of California Condors Wild and Free for a captivating free lecture exploring the remarkable journey of the California Condor! Discover the origins of the groundbreaking captive breeding program. Learn how cutting-edge genetic research has reshaped our understanding of condor pedigrees, and get an insider’s look at the decision-making process behind where young, captive-bred condors are released into the wild. We’ll also discuss the current status of wild condor populations and the profound impact of breeding and release efforts on their survival.
Our guest speaker, Mr. Steve Kirkland, is the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Field Coordinator for the California Condor Recovery Program. He will speak to the public in the Topping Room at the Ventura Public Library located at 651 E. Main St. from 2:00 to 3:00 pm on Saturday, April 26, 2025.
During the late 1990’s, Steve worked as a wildlife biologist releasing and monitoring condors in the newly released Southern California flock. In 2001 Steve transferred to the Ventura Fish and Wildlife Office where he worked for over a decade on a variety of endangered species projects. He returned to the California Condor Recovery Program in 2012 in his current role where he works closely with the condor field and captive breeding programs, USFWS leadership, researchers, non-lead outreach specialists and other agency and NGO partners all working to help recover the California Condor.
The California condor was listed as an endangered species in 1967. In 1987 California Condors were on the verge of extinction with only 27 alive, as the last free flying condor, AC9, was taken from the wild. In 1992, the Service began reintroducing captive-bred condors to the wild to reestablish the population. Today, there are over 560 birds with over half of them flying free in the wild in various populations including California, Arizona, and Baja Mexico. The California Condor is a resident of the local area and can be found in the mountains behind Ojai, Santa Paula, Fillmore, Piru, and Santa Barbara.
Friends of California Condors Wild and Free is a nonprofit 501c3 all volunteer organization, that has the mission to enhance public awareness of the endangered California Condor and ensure that they are protected, healthy, and free.
Come learn about the endangered California Condor, North America’s largest bird. Learn how you can help the California Condor recovery effort. Become a volunteer! Be informed!
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