WHEREAS, National Wildlife Day was first celebrated in September 2005 and continues to serve as an opportunity to raise awareness and encourage conservation of different animal species around the world; and

WHEREAS, California is one of the most ecologically diverse states in the nation and boasts the greatest diversity in climate, terrain, and geology of the contiguous United States, all of which provide the wide range of habitats that support what may be the most diverse selection of fauna in the country; and

WHEREAS, The spirit of stewardship and conservation is not a partisan issue but crosses party lines; and

WHEREAS, Animal species that thrive in our state, such as the California condor, the Mojave Desert tortoise, and the bald eagle, deserve to be recognized and celebrated; and

WHEREAS, In 2015, Friends of Big Bear Valley installed a webcam in a bald eagle nest, through which the public got their first glimpse of a female bald eagle named Jackie, who became an internet sensation as millions of viewers watched Jackie find a mate, lay eggs, protect her family, nurture her children, and successfully raise several eaglets over the last eight years, including eaglets Sandy and Luna, who fledged just this summer; and

WHEREAS, Dubbed by National Geographic to be the “internet’s favorite bald eagles,” Jackie and her partner Shadow attracted widespread viewership and support far from home, making her a California icon; and

WHEREAS, Earlier this July, after successfully raising her final two eaglets, Jackie was seriously injured, and despite the best efforts of the Ojai Raptor Center, ultimately passed away on August 10; and

WHEREAS, During her life, Jackie touched the hearts of people around the world as a fierce symbol of strength, freedom, motherhood, and the wild; and

WHEREAS, As the United States celebrated its 250th anniversary in 2026, the bald eagle carries a particularly meaningful place in the American story as our nation’s enduring symbol of freedom, strength, and resilience. Jackie’s life and legacy offer Californians an opportunity to reflect on those ideals while celebrating our responsibility to protect the wildlife and natural heritage entrusted to us; and

WHEREAS, Jackie’s story brought people together across generations and communities, inspiring millions to take an interest in wildlife and conservation and reminding us of the profound connection between people and the natural world; now, therefore, be it