Ventana Wildlife Society, a key partner in the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Condor Recovery Program, has played an instrumental role in reintroducing endangered California condors (Gymnogyps californianus) to the central coast since 1997. Through its own efforts and successful, longstanding partnerships with the Pinnacles National Park and the Oakland Zoo, the organization facilitated the growth of the region's wild population to more than 105 individuals. Despite this progress, the wild population has not yet achieved a status of self-sustainability, due to continued exposure to lead poisoning. Ventana Wildlife Society has been tackling this issue head-on with an innovative outreach program that provides grant-funded, free non-lead ammunition to hunters, prioritizing recipients using GPS condor tracking data. This initiative complements other ongoing conservation efforts, including nest monitoring, GPS tracking, releasing captive-bred condors, and providing emergency medical care to sick or injured birds. Through their unwavering dedication and resilience, the Ventana Wildlife Society and its partners serve as a powerful example of what is needed for successful species recovery today.

As Senior Wildlife Biologist and Manager for the Ventana Wildlife Society's California Condor Recovery Program, Joe Burnett has dedicated his career to the conservation of endangered species in central California. Since 1996, his work has primarily focused on the successful reintroduction of California Condors to the wild, though his experience also includes captive propagation. His wildlife expertise began earlier with Bald Eagle recovery efforts in 1993 and 1994. Joe holds a bachelor's degree in Wildlife and Fisheries from West Virginia University and is currently serving his third term on the Monterey County Fish and Game Advisory Commission.