Ventana Wildlife Society
| Non-profit | |
| Founded | 1977 |
| Headquarters | Salinas, California, United States. |
|
Area served
|
Central Coast, California |
|
Key people
|
Kelly Sorenson (executive director) |
|
Number of employees
|
8 full time and 8 seasonal 25 volunteers |
| Website | http://www.ventanaws.org |
Ventana Wildlife Society (VWS) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded in 1977 by a group of private citizens to restore endangered species native to central California. VWS has three full-time staff biologists, together with seasonal interns, monitoring, tracking and researching endangered species, songbirds and butterflies. Educational science programs for school children - offered in a variety of Central Coast locations - bring youth in touch with nature in their own neighborhoods, or through summer science camps.
The mission of Ventana Wildlife Society is "Conserving Native Wildlife and Their Habitats". There are over 130 endangered species in California and many others that are threatened with extinction.
VWS has four primary areas of focus:
In 1977, the Ventana Wildlife Society began by rehabilitating and releasing wildlife at a 240-acre (0.97 km2) remote site in the Ventana Wilderness.
1982: VWS introduced a prairie and peregrine falcon release program.
1986: VWS began a bald eagle restoration project to reintroduce bald eagles after an absence of 60 years from the region. In only 10 years, VWS achieved success. In 2007, the bald eagle was officially declared recovered and delisted from the Endangered Species Act (ESA).
1992: The Ventana Wildlife Society Research and Education Center opened in Andrew Molera State Park, off scenic Highway 1, Big Sur. The primary purpose of this new facility is to increase public outreach efforts and to expand programs to include environmental education and habitat restoration.
1996: VWS was commended by the California State Senate for its distinguished record of serving the recovery needs of Central Coast endangered species and for instilling a sense of stewardship for the environment through direct educational experience.
1997: VWS joined federal and state efforts to reintroduce the California condor and is the only non-profit releasing condors in California.
2009: VWS Discovery Center opened in Big Sur. The center currently features a special exhibition, "Bringing the Condors Home".
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Wikipedia