Big Bear eaglets officially named Sandy and Luna after community vote; third-graders pick final choices
Big Bear Lake’s bald eaglets were officially named Sandy and Luna after a public fundraiser and a classroom vote by local third-graders — a tribute honoring late Friends of Big Bear Valley director Sandy Steers and community conservation.
Key takeaways
- Sandy and Luna hatched April 4 and April 5, 2026, from the nest of adult eagles Jackie and Shadow and are now nearly one month old.
- Names came from a public fundraiser (63,915 submissions), narrowed to 30, with local third-graders casting the final classroom votes.
- Sandy honors late FOBBV executive director Sandy Steers; the livestream can be watched 24/7 on the Friends of Big Bear Valley YouTube channel.
How the names were chosen
The nonprofit Friends of Big Bear Valley (FOBBV), which runs the Big Bear Bald Eagle Live Nest Cam, launched a public fundraiser asking supporters worldwide to submit name ideas. The campaign received 63,915 name entries. Organizers randomly selected 30 names from that pool to present for a classroom vote.
Local third-grade classes studying bald eagles cast the deciding ballots. The students chose Sandy and Luna from the 30-name list; according to FOBBV, Sandy earned 30 student votes and Luna 25. The classroom vote followed the global submission phase that produced nearly 64,000 suggestions.
Public submissions and top picks
FOBBV released the broader public’s top picks: of the 63,915 public entries, 3,706 people submitted Sandy, making it the most popular public choice. Runners-up across public submissions included Star, Chip and Phoenix.
Sandy Steers tribute
The name Sandy honors the late Sandy Steers, who served for years as FOBBV’s executive director and helped launch the Big Bear eagle livestream in 2015. Steers died in February after battling cancer.
FOBBV said, in part: “although Sandy would not have wanted us to outright name one of the eaglets Sandy, she would have been honored that you and the students went through the process and named one of the 2026 eaglets after her.”
The organization framed the naming as both a local tribute and an opportunity to connect young students to wildlife stewardship—continuing Steers’ legacy of community-based conservation.
Telling the siblings apart
The eaglets hatched on April 4 and April 5, 2026 from the nest of adult eagles Jackie and Shadow. At nearly one month old they’ve grown from roughly 2 ounces at hatching to about 3 pounds each.
Observers note early differences: Sandy appears larger with a bigger head and neck, a slight curve to its gape, and more submissive behavior. Luna is smaller and displayed more aggressive behavior early on. FOBBV cautions these differences are subtle and may change; sexes are expected to be determined around 9–10 weeks.
Why local students picked the names
Teachers and school officials incorporated the vote into lessons about bald eagles, local ecology and community science. Third-graders weighed the 30 options and cast ballots that ultimately decided the official names. FOBBV says the classroom component strengthened local engagement and environmental education while honoring Steers’ outreach work.
Public interest and the livestream
The Big Bear Bald Eagle Live Nest Cam streams 24 hours a day, letting viewers observe nest activity, feeding and growth in real time. The livestream has expanded awareness of regional wildlife and supported FOBBV’s fundraising to maintain cameras, educational programs and habitat stewardship.
Viewers can watch Sandy and Luna live on the Friends of Big Bear Valley YouTube channel.
Implications for the Inland Empire
Economic impact
The eagle cam draws thousands of viewers and raises Big Bear’s profile for nature-based tourism, benefiting lodging, restaurants and outdoor guides. The livestream and naming campaign also support local fundraisers that finance conservation work.
Education and community engagement
The student voting exercise gave third-graders a tangible role in a conservation story and reinforced classroom lessons on ecology and civic participation—potentially inspiring future careers in wildlife stewardship.
Conservation and volunteerism
Naming the eaglets and honoring Sandy Steers spotlights the nonprofit and volunteer efforts that sustain the livestream and related education programs. The fundraiser showed how donations and community involvement translate into ongoing monitoring and habitat work.
Civic and cultural resonance
Honoring a local leader like Sandy Steers connects the community to the human side of conservation and reinforces shared values around caring for regional natural places.
Practical implications for residents
Residents can follow the eaglets’ development live, visit Big Bear Lake for outdoor activities, or support FOBBV through donations or volunteering. The livestream is also a low-cost, accessible educational tool for families and classrooms across the Inland Empire.
Where to follow Sandy and Luna
Watch the 24-hour livestream on the Friends of Big Bear Valley YouTube channel. For more reporting on the naming, fundraiser and Steers’ legacy, see coverage from LAist, ABC13, and PopSci.
