Our site is currently under construction. Thank you for your patience and please contact zekaglucs@ucsc.edu with any questions about our work.
Our Mission
To use the example of the Peregrine Falcon recovery as an inspiration for tackling today’s environmental challenges, and to resource students and community scientists to investigate and monitor the current status of predatory birds in California.
Research
Peregrine Falcon Monitoring Program
Our on-going Peregrine Falcon research in the San Francisco Bay Area, fueled by a dedicated group of student and volunteer falcon observers, is revealing interesting nest location choices and dispersal patterns for hatch-year birds. These open modern challenges, as falcons have move beyond their traditional cliff nesting habitats to tall city buildings and bridges, so we advise owners of structures where Peregrine falcons nest how to accommodate these fully protected birds
Pajaro River Levee Raptor Pilot Study
We partnered with the Zone 7 Flood Control and Water Conservation District of Santa Cruz County and Native Animal Rescue to deploy raptor recruitment structures along the Pajaro River Levee System and monitor effects on burrowing rodent damage.
Teaching and Outreach
A vital part of our mission is to inspire and prepare the conservation leaders of tomorrow through sharing our science with K-12 classrooms and the general public. In addition to visiting classrooms, we are piloting innovative ways to reach students across the globe through lesson plans associated with our Peregrine Falcon nest. In order to conduct our research, we provide internships that teach and train undergraduate students to make field observations and conduct their own research, all valuable skills for entering the environmental sciences.