Ojai Raptor Center

Today is the Christmas Bird Count! If you would like to learn more about this 124-year tradition, check out this free video presentation by Frank DeMartino, the compiler for Ventura. Frank is an avid birdwatcher who serves on the boards of both the Ventura and Conejo Valley Audubon Societies, where he is currently President. He also owns the Wild Birds Unlimited store in Ventura and coordinates the Ventura Christmas Bird Count. During the pandemic, Frank began offering online bird education classes as "Frank the Bird Guy," sharing his love for birds with thousands around the world. Don’t miss the chance to learn from his expertise! https://lnkd.in/gNAexF9J

"P-22 was a victim of this lack of connectivity. We need to dream big to solve this biodiversity crisis." New sizzle reel released today for Lion Bridge, the official documentary for the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing! The amazing team at Earth Tones Lab , led by Aliya Jasmine and Aliza Sovani, have been working for years filming for this exciting documentary and won't be done until the crossing is finished. The National Wildlife Federation's #SaveLACougars campaign is proud to be partnering with them on ensuring the story of P-22 and this visionary crossing is told. See you at the Oscar's!

Don't miss the 2024 Christmas Bird Count this Saturday, December 21st! Be part of a 124-year tradition that helps protect birds and their habitats! The Christmas Bird Count (CBC) is an annual community science project where bird lovers document local species to track changes in populations and guide conservation efforts. Here’s how it works: The CBC takes place in a 15-mile diameter “count circle.” Each circle is divided into sectors led by experienced birders, who report their results to the designated count compiler. Volunteers of all skill levels are welcome—whether you’re a seasoned birder, new to Audubon, or want to count from your backyard! The Count Compiler coordinates the count, and for Ventura Audubon our count compiler is Frank DeMartino, who ensures each sector is covered. Some leaders have decades of experience, while others are new volunteers learning the ropes. Everyone can contribute! The CBC began in 1900 as an alternative to the Christmas “Side Hunt,” where birds were hunted for sport. Thanks to ornithologist Frank M. Chapman, the focus shifted to counting birds instead. Today, tens of thousands of volunteers across the Americas participate between December 14 and January 5, collecting data vital to bird conservation. Ready to get involved? Contact Frank at venturabirdcount@gmail.com to find your spot in the circle or to contribute backyard data. Together, we can make a difference this holiday season—for the birds and our shared environment. Not local to Ventura County? Find a Christmas Bird Count near you on your local Audubon website! #ChristmasBirdCount #VenturaAudubon #BirdConservation #CommunityScience #OjaiRaptorCenter 

Governor Gavin Newsom has declared a state of emergency in California due to the detection of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) H5N1 in Southern California dairy herds. HPAI is a highly contagious and severe viral disease affecting bird species, including raptors. Since its emergence in 2020, it has significantly impacted both wild bird populations and domestic poultry. At Ojai Raptor Center, we continue to safeguard our patients and ambassadors through strict biosecurity measures. Thanks to International Bird Rescue @intbirdrescue for creating this helpful graphic showing ways we can all help mitigate the spread of HPAI. We understand concerns about HPAI, but it’s crucial not to let fear prevent assistance to injured wildlife. Our operations continue with enhanced safety protocols, and we remain a resource for the community. Always contact us for advice on safely rescuing and transporting wild animals. By following these precautions, we can collectively reduce the spread of HPAI and ensure that injured wildlife receive the care they need. #HPAI #BirdFlu #WildlifeRehabilitation #InternationalBirdRescueCenter

Ever wonder what our patients get up to in our enclosures? Take a look at this incredible moment in our Freedom Flight—the largest flight enclosure in California! Spanning 230 feet in length and 30 feet in width, its size and unique "J" shape provide plenty of space for large raptors like Bald Eagles, Red-tailed Hawks, Turkey Vultures, and Ospreys to practice flying and perfect their maneuvers. In this footage, a juvenile Bald Eagle and a Red-tailed Hawk patient show their flight skills. When the hawk realizes he is about to pass right in front of the eagle, he makes an incredible mid-air maneuver to fall back behind—proof of their strength and quick instincts. Our center receives raptor patients from other wildlife rehabilitation centers across California for flight time in the Freedom Flight. Just like humans need to exercise after an injury, these birds need to build their muscles and practice flying to get ready for life in the wild. The Freedom Flight gives them the space to do that—flying, turning, and getting stronger every day. Thank you to everyone who makes rehabilitating these majestic birds possible! #OjaiRaptorCenter #BirdsofPrey #FlightToFreedom #GiftOfFlight #SaveTheFreedomFlight #WildlifeRehabilitation #Raptors #BackToTheWild

While we are grateful that California has recently banned anticoagulant rodenticides, sadly, these chemicals, that can cause a horrific and painful death, are still causing damage to wildlife.

Did you know that organizations supporting animals and the environment—critical to our planet's survival—receive just 3% of all charitable giving? How can we support anything else if we don’t prioritize a livable planet? Climate change is already here, disproportionately impacting marginalized communities and wreaking havoc on the environment. This destruction exacerbates the crisis faced by wildlife, including habitat loss and other threats. These challenges are deeply interconnected—addressing one helps resolve the other. Let’s do better. Supporting environmental and animal welfare causes is about safeguarding the foundation of all life on Earth. It’s not a fringe issue; it’s our shared responsibility. This #GivingTuesday, support local animal welfare and environmental organizations like Ojai Raptor Center. By donating TODAY, you can save TOMORROW for wildlife and for the next generation. https://lnkd.in/gZzQnW6h #SaveRaptors #WildlifeRehabilitation #AnimalWelfare #PlanetFirst #EnvironmentalConservation #PhilanthropyMatters #GivingTuesday

🌟 This Giving Tuesday, give a gift that takes flight—a gift that saves lives, inspires curiosity, and ensures a future where both raptors and children can soar. 🌟 Today, the world comes together to give back—and at the Ojai Raptor Center, we’re asking for your help to support wildlife rehabilitation and education programs that inspire environmental stewardship. Each year, we care for an average of 1,000 injured, sick, and orphaned birds, providing them with the care they need to heal and return to the wild. At the same time, we bring the wonder of nature to classrooms and communities, teaching people of all ages about the importance of conservation. Your support directly funds: 🦅 Medical care and recovery for injured raptors 🏗️ Maintenance of our unique Freedom Flight enclosure—the largest of its kind in California 🎓 Education programs that reach underserved youth 🌍 Together, we can give birds a second chance and foster a new generation of conservationists. 🖱️ Donate today to help us continue this vital work: https://lnkd.in/gZzQnW6h Let’s show the power of community and compassion this Giving Tuesday. Every gift makes a difference! #GivingTuesday #BirdsofPrey #SaveRaptors #WildlifeConservation #SupportNonprofits #OjaiRaptorCenter

While this article is now a few years old, sadly, it is still very relevant today. According to the data, 28% of charitable donations go to religious causes, with education and human services closely following at 29%. Yet, animals and the environment—issues vital to our planet's survival—received just 3% of all charitable giving. This stark contrast raises urgent questions. If we don’t prioritize the health of our planet, how can we sustain support for any other cause? Climate change is no longer a future threat—it’s a present-day reality, disproportionately affecting marginalized communities while sparing no one in the long run. At the same time, animals face a staggering crisis directly resulting from human activity: industrial farming, habitat destruction, overcrowded shelters, and cruel experimentation. These issues are deeply interconnected with environmental issues. Addressing one often supports the other, creating a ripple effect of positive change. We can do better. By funding environmental and animal welfare organizations, we’re not just helping individual causes—we’re safeguarding the foundation of all life on Earth. 🌱 This isn’t a fringe issue; it’s a shared responsibility. Let’s align our giving with the urgency of the moment and create a future where both people and the planet thrive. 💡 What are your thoughts on this? How do you decide which causes to support? Let’s start a conversation! #Philanthropy #AnimalWelfare #WildlifeRehabilitation #SaveOurWildlife #RaptorConservation #EnvironmentalConservation