Big Bear eaglets Sandy and Luna named by student vote in tribute to late director Sandy Steers
Big Bear Lake’s 2026 eaglets from parents Jackie and Shadow have been named Sandy and Luna after a public fundraiser and student vote; the choice also serves as a tribute to late FOBBV director Sandy Steers.
- Hatch dates and names: The chicks hatched April 4 and April 5, 2026, and were named Sandy (Chick 1) and Luna (Chick 2). Sources: ABC7, LAist, Popular Science.
- Community participation: Friends of Big Bear Valley (FOBBV) collected 63,915 name submissions, narrowed to 30 gender-neutral ballot options for local third-graders. Sources: LAist, Popular Science, VVNG.
- Student vote results: Third-grade students chose Sandy with 30 votes and Luna with 25; runners-up included Star, Chip and Phoenix. Sources: ABC7, LAist, Popular Science.
- Top public choice: Sandy was the single most popular public submission with 3,706 entries. Source: ABC7, Popular Science.
How the names were chosen
Friends of Big Bear Valley ran a public fundraiser inviting the community to submit names for Jackie and Shadow’s 2026 eaglets. From nearly 64,000 submissions, FOBBV randomly selected 30 gender-neutral names and distributed ballots to local third-grade classes who had been studying bald eagles.
The classroom vote continued a local tradition linking wildlife stewardship to education: the students chose Sandy and Luna as the winners. This approach emphasized a community-centered and educational naming process. Sources: LAist, Popular Science, VVNG.
A tribute to Sandy Steers
The name Sandy carries special significance as a tribute to the late executive director of Friends of Big Bear Valley, Sandy Steers, who launched the Big Bear eagle cam in 2015 and died in February after a battle with cancer.
“Please know that although Sandy would not have wanted us to outright name one of the eaglets Sandy, she would have been honored that you and the students went through the process and named one of the 2026 eaglets after her.”
FOBBV noted Steers’ preference that the naming be community-driven; the tribute highlights the human side of long-running wildlife programs and the role leaders play in building sustained interest. Sources: ABC7, Popular Science.
Telling the chicks apart
At nearly one month old, both chicks have grown from about 2 ounces at hatch to roughly 3 pounds each. Observers noted subtle differences:
- Sandy: larger overall with a bigger head and neck and a slight curve to the gape; initially more submissive. (FOBBV statement reported by local media.) Source: ABC7.
- Luna: smaller, showed more aggressive behavior and more frequent “bonking” (pecking and jostling), though observers say the two have recently been bonding and the bonking has decreased. Sources: VVNG, LAist.
Observers caution early differences are often temporary; growth rates, feeding and parental behavior — and eventual sexes, which have not been determined — can alter later appearance and interactions. Sources: LAist, Popular Science.
Watching Jackie and Shadow’s nest live
The Big Bear Bald Eagle Live Nest Cam streams 24/7 on YouTube/FOBBVCAM, allowing viewers worldwide to follow Jackie, Shadow and their chicks in real time. The live feed has expanded the nest’s audience and kept local students connected to observation-based lessons. Source: YouTube/FOBBVCAM.
Sources and verification
This article is based on reporting and statements from Friends of Big Bear Valley and media accounts published by:
Implications for the United States
Economic impact
Local wildlife cameras like the Jackie–Shadow nest do more than educate: they attract donors and visitors and can support nonprofit revenue through fundraisers tied to community campaigns. The naming drive’s tens of thousands of submissions illustrate a replicable model for funding monitoring and education. Sources: LAist, ABC7.
Political consequences
Student engagement and visible public interest can influence local and state policy decisions on funding for habitat preservation, wildlife corridors and environmental education. The Sandy Steers tribute underscores how nonprofit leaders and community ties can shape public support for conservation priorities. Sources: Popular Science, LAist.
Social effects
Nearly 64,000 participants and the involvement of local schoolchildren build civic pride and shared experiences. The nest stream provides a family-friendly, neutral topic that can bridge divides and promote science literacy nationwide. Sources: ABC7, LAist.
Cultural relevance
The Sandy Steers tribute highlights how individuals and small programs become part of local identity and national citizen-science culture. Naming events and classroom partnerships make wildlife part of daily life and encourage stewardship. Source: Popular Science, ABC7.
Practical applications for residents
- Educators: Adapt the ballot-and-classroom model for local species to combine science learning with civic engagement. Sources: LAist, VVNG.
- Nonprofits: Public campaigns tied to fundraising can increase donor support and volunteer engagement, as shown by the large submission volume. Sources: ABC7, Popular Science.
- Viewers: The 24/7 YouTube nest cam remains an effective outreach and education tool to watch eagle behavior in real time. Source: YouTube/FOBBVCAM.
Coverage of Jackie and Shadow’s 2026 chicks and the community naming process demonstrates how local conservation work can reach a national audience by blending education, fundraising and memorial recognition to support wildlife monitoring and stewardship. Sources cited throughout: ABC7, LAist, Popular Science, VVNG, and the live nest cam: YouTube/FOBBVCAM.
