Membership Meetings
OHLONE AUDUBON MEETINGS ARE CURRENTLY VIRTUAL!
View Past Meeting Recordings by clicking here
Upcoming Meetings:
Next meeting - Tuesday, Janaury 6, 2025 via Zoom
Update on Condor Recovery Program and Introducing "Ohlone"!
By Joe Burnett and Kelly Sorenson, Ventana Wildlife Society
Join us for a very special evening with Joe Burnett and Kelly Sorenson from the Ventana Wildlife Society who will give a brief update on condor recovery and status in the wild, as well as a special presentation on a wild-raised chick, named "Ohlone" in honor of the Indigenous Peoples of California. "Ohlone" was raised in a wild nest in central California and has a very special story. Through the generosity of our members, Ohlone Audubon has adopted this wild fledged chick in memory of Phil Gordon.
Joe Burnett, Sr. Wildlife Biologist, CA Condor Recovery Program Manager, first began working with Ventana Wildlife Society in May 1993 as a Field Assistant for VWS' Bald Eagle Restoration Program in Big Sur, CA. In 1996, Joe became Field Supervisor for VWS' Condor Restoration Program and coordinated the first seven releases of condors in central California, six in Big Sur and one at Pinnacles National Monument. Joe left VWS in 2003 to start up Oregon Zoo's Captive Breeding Program for condors. His experiences with captive condors vastly broadened his knowledge base of the species. In 2005, Joe returned to VWS to coordinate the release effort once again. Joe received a bachelor's degree in Wildlife and Fisheries, focusing on birds, from West Virginia University in 1994. He began his field studies of birds as an undergraduate in 1992 and now has over 25 years experience working with a variety of bird species. He is currently a two-term Monterey County Fish and Game Commissioner.
Kelly J. Sorenson, Executive Director, is a wildlife conservationist and “jack of all trades,” blending science, storytelling, and leadership to protect California’s endangered birds. For more than three decades, he has led major recovery efforts for the California Condor and Bald Eagle, helping reestablish wild populations across Central California. Sorenson has co-authored scientific studies on wildlife recovery and lead poisoning, produced award-winning documentaries such as Giants of Big Sur and Condor Canyon, and secured the funding and partnerships that power long-term conservation. He also serves as a managing director for the California Central Coast Joint Venture. With a background in wildlife management and public administration, Sorenson continues to bridge research, film, and community engagement to advance conservation throughout the West.
Participants can prepare by downloading the Zoom application for free HERE or the web browser client will download automatically when you start or join your first Zoom meeting. It is recommended that participants familiarize themselves with using Zoom prior to the scheduled meeting to test the audio and video settings and avoid technical difficulties.
Zoom Meetings are being recorded! You can view and/or listen to the recent Membership Meetings on the Past Membership Meetings page!
December meeting in person (no recording)
November 4, 2025
October 7, 2025
River Gates, Pacific Shorebird Conservation Coordinator, National Audubon Society (Alaska Program), Migratory connectivity of shorebirds across the Pacific
Flyway with a focus on the importance of coastal estuaries and interior wetlands in Alaska and California
September 2, 2025
Autonomously-Monitoring Birdboxes: An Eco Innovate Initiative!
June 3, 2025 - in person meeting, no recording
May 6, 2025
Joanna Wu: The Most Overlooked Birds in North America - Females
April 1, 2025
Nathan Van Schmidt: Flows of Water and Waterbirds Across California
March 4, 2025
Scott Harris: Raptor Quest: Chasing America's Raptors
February 4, 2025:
Jeff Miller: Bay Area Wildlife - An Irreverent Guide
January 7, 2025:
Lishka Arata: 60 years of Conservation Science and Counting
December 3, 2024:
Annual Holiday Cookie Exchange
Niles Discovery Church in Fremont
November 5, 2024:
Cancelled (Rescheduled to March 4, 2025)
October 2024
Birding the Southern Oceans and Antarctica with Alvaro Jaramillo
September 2024
Where to Find Key Birds in Alameda County & Beyond with Jason Tanner
May 2024
April 2024
Journey To Photograph all Fifty State Birds with David Yeamans
March 2024
February 2024
January 2024
January Membership Meeting -
Apologies, due to technical difficulties this meeting was not recorded.
Birds in a Changing Work, Presenter: JD Bergeron
Maps and directions to regular meeting locations are at the bottom of the page and can be reached by clicking here.
Ohlone holds ten monthly Membership Meetings featuring programs on birds and the environment and are open to all! Because Ohlone covers all the cities of Southern and Eastern Alameda County, we alternate our monthly meeting places in order to better serve our entire membership. We're always on the lookout, and welcome suggestions, for attractive, affordable, and conveniently located meeting facilities. If you know of a room in a school, church, retirement facility, etc., that may possibly be suitable for OAS membership meetings, please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. through email by clicking on her name or emailing ohloneaudubonprograms AT gmail.com
Bring your washable cup to enjoy hot or cold beverages with the delectable morsels provided by volunteer chefs. This is our chance to converse and compare sightings with other bird observers. You may volunteer to provide refreshments for future meetings by signing the form circulated at the meeting.
Maps and directions to meeting locations:
Castro Valley Adult School: multipurpose room/gym
http://www.cvadult.org/contact/map-and-directions
San Leandro Library: Karp Room
https://www.sanleandro.org/civicax/filebank/blobdload.aspx?BlobID=24859
https://goo.gl/maps/JZissDVNz8y
Pleasanton Middle School: Library
https://www.thinglink.com/scene/947529283671162883
http://pleasantonmiddle.pleasantonusd.net/apps/maps/
Carlton Plaza, Fremont: Go right from the lobby around towards the rear of the building; the room is on the left side near restrooms and an exit door.
https://goo.gl/maps/QKGxwiYUcL12
Niles Discovery Church: Fellowship Hall
http://www.nilesdiscoverychurch.org/ndc.php?page=Directions
Alviso Adobe Community Park: museum/office building (see map marker)
https://goo.gl/maps/j5jTHMzNrjz