California Condor Recovery Challenge lecture Sunday
Santa Paula News
Published: February 22, 2013
The Friends of California Condors Wild & Free is sponsoring a free lecture event entitled “The California Condor Recovery Challenge.” Our guest speaker, John McCamman, is California Condor Recovery coordinator for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. He will speak to the public in the Topping Room at the E.P. Foster Library in downtown Ventura from 3 to 5 p.m. on Sunday, February 24th.
John McCamman has served in this position since March 2012 and is responsible for coordinating the Service’s efforts to recover the endangered California condor, a species whose conservation affects thousands of square miles of Federal, State, public and private lands in the western United States and Mexico. The Service-led California Condor Recovery Program is a partnership of public, private and non-profit groups, including zoos, tribes, universities, and government agencies in California, Arizona, Utah, Oregon, Idaho, and Mexico.
Prior to joining the Service, McCamman served nearly six years with the California Department of Fish and Game (CDFG) as the Department’s chief deputy director and director. He previously served as the chief of staff to California Congressman George Radanovich for nine years in Washington, D.C. and was involved in federal resources issues for the congressman, who was a member of the House Resources Committee.
McCamman has more than 15 years of experience as a local government administrator, including over seven years as county administrator in Mariposa and Shasta counties. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Philosophy from University of California, Santa Barbara and a Master’s in Public Administration from California State University, Sonoma.
The California condor was listed as an endangered species in 1967. In 1987 California condors were on the verge of extinction with only 22 alive, as the last free flying condor, AC9, was taken from the wild.
In 1992, the Service began reintroducing captive-bred condors to the wild to reestablish the population. Today there are 404 California condors alive, with 235 flying free in California, Arizona, Utah, and Baja. There are also 169 condors in the captive breeding program.
Friends of California Condors Wild & Free is a nonprofit 501c3 organization that has the mission to enhance public awareness of the endangered California condor and ensure that they are protected, healthy, and free.
Come learn about the endangered California Condor, North America’s largest bird. Learn how you can help the California Condor Recovery effort. Sign up for a project! Become a member! Be informed!
E.P. Foster Library is located at 651 E. Main St. in downtown Ventura. Nearby free parking can be found at the parking structure located mid-block on Santa Clara St. (enter from Santa Clara St.) between California St. and Chestnut Street.
