A Visionary Leader in Eagle Advocacy (Image Credits: Ca-times.brightspotcdn.com)
Big Bear Valley — Conservationist Sandy Steers, renowned for her work with the area’s beloved bald eagles and her opposition to unchecked development, passed away on the evening of February 11, 2026.[1][2]
A Visionary Leader in Eagle Advocacy
Sandy Steers served as executive director of the Friends of Big Bear Valley nonprofit for more than two decades. She held a bachelor’s degree in biology from UCLA and brought her expertise to bear on protecting local wildlife. Steers volunteered as an eagle counter for the U.S. Forest Service early in her career. Her passion centered on the bald eagle pair Jackie and Shadow, whose nest became a global sensation under her guidance.[1]
The nonprofit announced her death with profound sorrow. “It is with heavy hearts and great sadness to let our Friends of Big Bear Valley eagle family know that Sandy Steers passed away,” the group stated on social media.[2][3] Staff members requested time to grieve before sharing further details. No cause of death was disclosed.
Launching the Iconic Eagle Nest Cam
Steers played a pivotal role in establishing the 24-hour webcam that captured the lives of Jackie and Shadow high in a Jeffrey pine overlooking Big Bear Lake. The project followed the 2011 hatching of Jackie, the first bald eagle chick documented in the valley. After two years of fundraising and planning, cameras went live, drawing thousands of viewers worldwide each month. A second wide-angle camera joined in 2021.[1]
Volunteers monitored every detail, from nest-building to egg hatching. In 2025, three eaglets hatched, with two surviving to fledge. Steers often shared updates, including during eaglet Sunny’s tentative first flight. “Sunny looked afraid,” she told reporters as the young bird lifted off briefly before wind returned it to the nest.[3] Jenny Voisard, the group’s media manager, credited Steers fully: “This was all her vision.”[1]
Fierce Opposition to Local Developments
Steers led efforts against projects threatening eagle habitat. In the early 2000s, she helped thwart San Diego developer Irving Okovita’s plan for 132 condominiums and a 175-slip marina on Grout Bay’s north shore. Named in a related lawsuit, she persisted until the proposal collapsed in 2006. Her work began with the original Friends of the Fawnskin group, formed to block residential expansion.[1]
More recently, advocates including Steers challenged the approved Moon Camp, a 50-home gated community less than a mile from the eagle nest. County officials maintained it underwent thorough environmental review. Steers balanced science and storytelling to rally support. She once noted of Jackie and Shadow, “They are extremely resilient and strong. I like to think they’re teaching people resilience and to take things as they come.”[1]
A Multifaceted Life Beyond Conservation
Steers pursued varied paths before focusing on Big Bear. She worked for NASA, led Galapagos tours, operated a technology consulting firm, and wrote screenplays. A cancer survivor, she embraced Neuro-Linguistic Programming, shamanic healing, and beliefs in past lives. These experiences shaped her holistic approach to advocacy.[1]
The eagle cam fostered a diverse “eagle family” of fans, from schoolchildren to emergency room staff seeking solace. Schools incorporated it into lessons, while viewers connected across borders. Voisard recalled, “She totally fell in love with this eagle,” highlighting Steers’ deep commitment.[1]
Key Takeaways
- Steers launched the Big Bear Eagle Cam, captivating global audiences with Jackie and Shadow’s lives.
- She blocked major developments, safeguarding raptor foraging grounds for over 20 years.
- Her blend of science and narrative built a lasting conservation legacy in Big Bear Valley.
Sandy Steers leaves behind a valley richer in wildlife awareness and a nest cam that endures as her tribute. As fans continue watching Jackie and Shadow, her influence persists in every frame. What are your memories of the Big Bear eagles? Share in the comments.
