Big Bear eaglets named Sandy and Luna in student vote honoring longtime director Sandy Steers
Big Bear eaglets Sandy and Luna, hatched April 4–5, 2026 to adults Jackie and Shadow, were named by local third-grade students in a fundraiser-driven vote that honors late FOBBV director Sandy Steers and can be watched on the nest livestream.
Key takeaways
- Eaglets: Hatched April 4 and April 5, 2026, to adult pair Jackie and Shadow.
- Names: Sandy (April 4 chick) and Luna (April 5 chick), chosen by Big Bear Valley third-grade students from a 30-name ballot.
- Public involvement: Nearly 63,915 public name submissions; Sandy was the most popular public entry with 3,706 mentions.
- Livestream & info: Watch the 24-hour nest cam on YouTube and see the Friends of Big Bear Valley site for details.
Main story
How the names were chosen
Friends of Big Bear Valley (FOBBV), the nonprofit operating the Big Bear nest cam, opened a public fundraiser that doubled as a naming drive. The group collected about 63,915 name suggestions and distilled those into a randomly selected ballot of 30 names for local third-grade classes to vote on.
Third-grade students cast ballots from that list and selected Sandy (30 student votes) and Luna (25 student votes). Runners-up on the public list included Star, Chip and Phoenix. FOBBV designed the process to engage young residents and raise funds for maintaining the nest cam and education programs.
Public submissions and totals
Of the nearly 64,000 suggestions, the name Sandy was the single most popular entry with 3,706 mentions out of 63,915 total submissions. The classroom tally produced the final selection: Sandy 30 and Luna 25.
A tribute to Sandy Steers
The name Sandy was selected not only by students but also holds special local meaning: it honors Sandy Steers, the longtime executive director of Friends of Big Bear Valley who launched the Big Bear eagle cam in 2015 and led the program until her death in February 2026 after a battle with cancer.
FOBBV noted, 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.
The organization invited fans and residents to recognize Steers’ role in building the nest-cam community and nature education programs.
Why the classroom vote matters
The tradition links hands-on wildlife observation with civic education. For conservative readers who value local institutions, the vote demonstrates a classic model of citizen involvement: a nonprofit gathered public interest, schools engaged students, and children selected a meaningful name while supporting the nonprofit through fundraising.
FOBBV used the naming campaign as a fundraiser to sustain the livestream and education programming—an example of community-funded conservation that relies on voluntary contributions rather than expanded government spending.
Telling the eaglets apart
Observers note subtle differences as the chicks pass the one-month mark:
- Sandy (hatched April 4): larger, bigger head and neck, slight curve to the gape, generally more submissive early on.
- Luna (hatched April 5): smaller, displayed more aggressive behavior in the nest during early weeks but recently has bonded more with Sandy.
FOBBV cautioned these differences are small and may change. Both chicks experienced rapid growth—from roughly 2 ounces at hatching to nearly 3 pounds each within weeks.
Sexes and future observations
FOBBV has not yet determined the sexes of Sandy and Luna. The group requested gender-neutral names during submissions. Physical clues that suggest sex—such as size and head shape differences—are typically more apparent around 9 to 10 weeks of age, when FOBBV may offer an educated estimate.
Background on the 2026 clutch
This spring followed a careful second attempt after an earlier setback: Jackie and Shadow’s initial pair of eggs in late January was compromised in a brief raven breach on January 30. The adults regrouped; Jackie laid two new eggs on February 24 and February 27. Those eggs produced the eaglets that hatched on April 4 and April 5 over Easter weekend.
Why the livestream matters
Launched in 2015 by Sandy Steers, the 24-hour nest cam has become a global window into local wildlife, a classroom resource and a fundraising engine. The camera provides real-time access that supports conservation, education and community-building.
Watch the 24-hour nest cam on YouTube and find more information on the Friends of Big Bear Valley site.
Implications for Paso Robles, California
Economic impact
- Tourism and local business: The livestream draws national and international attention; interest in nature streaming can indirectly boost regional tourism, benefiting Paso Robles hotels, restaurants and outdoor businesses.
- Fundraising model: FOBBV’s community-funded livestream offers a template for Paso Robles groups seeking to support conservation without new taxes, aligning with fiscally conservative priorities.
Political consequences
- Local stewardship & voluntary action: The campaign highlights volunteer-driven conservation and nonprofit-school partnerships as alternatives to large government programs.
- Education & civic engagement: Third-grade classroom involvement models early civic participation; local policymakers and school boards may value similar, donation-supported programs.
Social effects
- Community cohesion: The student vote and tribute to Sandy Steers reinforce intergenerational cooperation and respect for local leaders.
- Family & youth programming: The ballot-and-vote model can be replicated in schools, scout groups and family activities in Paso Robles.
Cultural relevance
Naming wildlife through student votes is a tradition that honors community contributors and continuity. The tribute to Sandy Steers emphasizes respect for private citizens who build lasting civic institutions—an idea that resonates with many residents.
Practical applications for residents
- Classroom partnerships: Paso Robles educators can pursue virtual exchanges or adopt similar naming and stewardship programs with groups like FOBBV.
- Volunteer and donation models: Local nonprofits can study FOBBV’s approach to fund parks, trails and wildlife work without raising taxes.
- Watch and learn: Families and nature clubs can follow the Big Bear eagle livestream as an educational resource and a model for promoting wildlife interest.
Source attribution
Most details in this report come from Friends of Big Bear Valley’s announcement and public materials related to the naming process and nest observations. For more on the live nest cam and the nonprofit’s programs, see the Friends of Big Bear Valley site and the live feed on YouTube.
