Big Bear eaglets named Sandy and Luna after student vote, honoring late director and drawing statewide interest
Big Bear Lake’s bald eagle parents Jackie and Shadow welcomed two eaglets on April 4–5, 2026. Friends of Big Bear Valley named the chicks Sandy and Luna after a nearly 64,000-entry fundraiser and a deciding vote by third‑grade students.
- Names chosen: The April 4–5, 2026 chicks were officially named Sandy (Chick 1) and Luna (Chick 2) by Friends of Big Bear Valley (ABC7, LAist).
- Public + classroom: FOBBV collected ~63,915 fundraiser name entries, randomly selected 30 gender‑neutral options, and had Big Bear Valley third‑graders cast the deciding votes.
- Tribute: The name Sandy honors longtime FOBBV executive director Sandy Steers, who launched the nest cam in 2015 and died in February 2026 (see statement via ABC7).
- Watch live: The 24‑hour nest cam is available on youtube.com/@FOBBVCAM or via the live stream.
Main story
How the names were chosen: public reach and student involvement
Friends of Big Bear Valley (FOBBV) ran a multi‑stage naming campaign that blended broad public engagement with classroom participation. The organization collected nearly 64,000 gender‑neutral submissions as part of a fundraiser. From the total pool of 63,915 entries, FOBBV randomly selected 30 name options and placed them before Big Bear Valley third‑grade classes.
Third‑graders cast the final votes: Sandy received 30 votes and Luna received 25. Runners‑up included Star, Chip and Phoenix. Notably, Sandy was the single most common public submission, entered 3,706 times out of the 63,915 total entries, according to FOBBV reporting (sources: ABC7, PopSci).
A tribute to Sandy Steers
The name Sandy commemorates the late FOBBV executive director Sandy Steers, who launched the Big Bear nest cam in 2015 and died in February 2026 after a battle with cancer. FOBBV released a statement noting that Steers “would have been honored that you and the students went through the process and named one of the 2026 eaglets after her,” emphasizing the naming as a respectful tribute rather than a self‑applause moment (statement reported by ABC7).
“Sandy would have been honored that you and the students went through the process and named one of the 2026 eaglets after her.”
Telling the Big Bear eaglets apart
At nearly one month old, both chicks weigh about three pounds, having grown from roughly two ounces at hatching. Observers and FOBBV volunteers note subtle but useful differences:
- Sandy: described as the larger chick with a bigger head and neck, a slight curve to the gape, and a more submissive temperament.
- Luna: smaller in size but more assertive, showing bolder, occasionally aggressive behavior; siblings are bonding and the initial “bonking” has faded.
The sexes of the chicks have not yet been determined (source: LAist).
Why the nest cam matters: education, research and tourism
Since the camera’s 2015 debut, the nest cam has become a valuable educational and research tool. It enables volunteers and biologists to monitor nest success, feeding patterns and threats to a nesting pair with near‑real‑time footage. The live feed also doubles as a public classroom, giving students and casual viewers close windows into raptor development and parental care (coverage: LAist).
Fundraising impact: The nearly 64,000 entry fundraiser demonstrates how digital engagement can translate into funding for camera upkeep, habitat protection and school programs, creating a model where awareness supports conservation operations (analysis: PopSci).
How the wider public has responded
The livestream draws viewers from across California and around the world, turning Jackie and Shadow into online fixtures for many fans. Regional and national coverage amplified the nest’s reach, and the naming campaign’s tens of thousands of submissions reflect strong emotional attachment among regular viewers (reports: ABC7, PopSci).
Follow the nest live
Watch Jackie and Shadow’s nest 24 hours a day on the FOBBV YouTube channel at youtube.com/@FOBBVCAM or via the live stream. The feed includes real‑time footage of feeding, sibling interactions and parental care and serves as a running classroom and comforting ritual for many viewers (source: LAist).
Implications for California
Economic impact
The nest cam helps drive interest in the Big Bear region, supporting local tourism. Viewers who discover Jackie and Shadow online often plan in‑person visits, which can benefit lodges, restaurants and outdoor guides. Funds raised through fan campaigns support camera maintenance, habitat protection and programs that boost the local outdoor economy (sources: LAist, ABC7).
Political consequences
Visible, locally supported projects like the nest cam can influence lawmakers and voters on funding priorities for habitat protection, education grants and wildfire mitigation around nesting areas. The student voting element also models civic engagement that resonates with constituencies favoring community‑based solutions (analysis: ABC7, PopSci).
Social effects
The naming process connected schools, families and online communities, reinforcing local pride. Participating third‑grade classes gained a practical civics lesson and an active tie to conservation work. For Californians balancing growth with open‑space protection, the Big Bear project offers an accessible way to involve children in stewardship.
Cultural relevance
Named wildlife become symbols. Jackie and Shadow’s chicks — now Sandy and Luna — provide a shared narrative for residents and viewers. Honoring Sandy Steers links the birds to a human legacy of service and volunteerism that many Californians value (context: PopSci).
Practical applications
The nest cam is an accessible educational tool: teachers can integrate footage into lessons on life cycles, ecosystems and civics; volunteers and land managers may use viewer reports to monitor disturbances and advocate for protections. The stream’s broad reach encourages stewardship actions such as habitat restoration and responsible recreation (sources: LAist, live stream).
Watch and participate
The naming of Sandy and Luna is the latest chapter in a decade‑long story linking technology, education and conservation at Big Bear Lake. Viewers and residents who want to follow the chicks’ growth or join fundraising and educational efforts can tune into the 24‑hour feed at youtube.com/@FOBBVCAM or visit the live stream (sources: ABC7, LAist).
