{"id":175424,"date":"2026-02-12T19:55:09","date_gmt":"2026-02-12T19:55:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/175424\/"},"modified":"2026-02-12T19:55:09","modified_gmt":"2026-02-12T19:55:09","slug":"big-bear-eagles-expert-sandy-steers-has-died-nbc-los-angeles","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/175424\/","title":{"rendered":"Big Bear eagles expert Sandy Steers has died \u2013 NBC Los Angeles"},"content":{"rendered":"

A beloved Southern California wildlife activist known for her work with bald eagles \u2014 specifically, the iconic Jackie and Shadow<\/a> perched atop a nest 145 feet high in a Jeffrey pine tree in Big Bear Valley \u2014 has died.<\/p>\n

The nonprofit Friends of Big Bear Valley (FOBBV) announced the death of Sandy Steers in social media posts<\/a> on Wednesday night.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is with heavy hearts and great sadness to let our Friends of Big Bear Valley eagle family know that Sandy Steers passed away on the evening of 2\/11\/26,\u201d a post on Instagram read. \u201cWe will be providing more information in the future, but please give our team time to grieve and process this sad news.\u201d<\/p>\n

The post included two photos of a smiling Steers: one wearing a pink shirt with a bald eagle on it, arms stretched out against an art piece featuring an eagle\u2019s wingspan, and another of her with a microphone.<\/p>\n

Steers was part of the leadership team at Friends of Big Bear Valley, the nonprofit that runs the wildly popular Eagle Nest livestreams<\/a>, which chronicle the habitat and happenings of SoCal\u2019s famous bald eagle couple Jackie and Shadow.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Steers helped launch the cameras in 2015 and became the nonprofit\u2019s go-to expert on bald eagles, promoting conservation and education of the species and its natural habitat in the San Bernardino National Forest.<\/p>\n

FOBBV fans mourned Steers\u2019 death on Instagram. She meant a lot to so many.<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tSunny the eagle, the offspring of famed Big Bear eagles Jackie and Shadow, bravely took flight for the first time. So, what’s next? Friends of Big Bear Valley Director Sandy Steers shares some insight. This video was broadcast on the NBC4 News at 4:30 p.m. on Monday, June 2, 2025.\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\u201cThis feels almost like California lost its very own Jane Goodall,\u201d one person posted. \u201cOur deepest condolences to her family and conservation colleagues. She spearheaded a gift of advocacy we can never repay: a glimpse into the love, loyalties, resilience and tenderness of Jackie and Shadow\u2019s lives.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat a huge loss for the community,\u201d read another post, in part.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe wonderful eagle whisperer Sandy,\u201d said another post. \u201cHer heart and love for the precious eagles is an amazing legacy. I am so sorry for the FOBVV team\u2019s loss.\u201d<\/p>\n

All eyes have been on FOBBV\u2019s Eagle Nest camera since last month, when Jackie and Shadow appeared to be preparing their nest to lay a new clutch of eggs.<\/p>\n

Jackie laid two eggs<\/a> just days apart in January. Then, on Jan. 30, tragedy struck<\/a> when ravens breached<\/a> Jackie and Shadow\u2019s eggs.<\/p>\n

FOBVV said there\u2019s still time this season for Jackie to lay a second clutch of eggs, and they are holding out hope the couple can bounce back \u2014 if and when the time is right.<\/p>\n

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