Wildlife activist Sandy Steers, the woman behind California’s beloved Big Bear Eagle Nest Cam, died Wednesday at 73.

“It is with heavy hearts and great sadness to let our Friends of Big Bear Valley eagle family know that Sandy Steers passed away on the evening of 2/11/2026,” the nonprofit wrote in a Facebook post on Feb. 12.

“We will be providing more information in the future, but please give our team time to grieve and process this sad news.”

Steers served as executive director of Friends of Big Bear Valley, an environmental organization dedicated to protecting and preserving the natural habitat of the valley through education, monitoring, and advocacy.

Located inside the San Bernardino National Forest in Southern California, Big Bear Valley is the seventh most biologically diverse ecosystem in the United States, according to the group.

Friends of Big Bear Valley’s media manager, Jenny Voisard, told The Epoch Times that Steers was beloved by many.

“Our team remembers her joy and laughter and we have been enjoying (and crying) going through photos and memories of her. One of my favorite memories was when Sandy called early one morning to tell me that Fiona (a nocturnal flying squirrel) ran across Jackie’s back in the night and that Jackie’s reaction was delayed and hilarious,” Voisard said in an emailed statement.

“She was laughing so hard about it she could hardly explain what had happened and had me rewind the feed so that I could watch it. It was very funny and we laughed and laughed. I will miss talking about Jackie and Shadow with her.”

First installed in 2015, Steers helped launch the livestream cameras that began following the nest and habitat of Jackie and Shadow, two wild American bald eagles who became a couple three years later.

Since then, Steers guided the nest cam, observing the birds’ every move while simultaneously advocating for endangered wildlife and offering wholesome viewership to the intrigued public.

In a separate social media post, the organization continued to monitor and describe the whereabouts of Jackie and Shadow, not without expressing gratitude to viewers for the outpouring of love received following Steers’s passing.

“Special Note to our Eagle Family … Thank you all for your heartfelt messages of love for Sandy Steers after her recent passing,” read the Instagram caption. “Your support and care is appreciated more than you know.”

The livestream drew in hundreds of thousands of people across the globe over the years, with one particular milestone caught on camera that captured the hearts of viewers and Steers herself. In the winter of 2024, Jackie laid three brand-new eggs with Shadow displaying care and compassion to his mate, while they settled into a harmonious parenting routine.

“He started treating Jackie differently—it was a whole different game,” Steers told The Epoch Times in an interview at the time. “He listens to her; he pays attention to her. He seems to notice when there’s something upsetting her, and he’s always checking on her.”

The unique view of their eaglets and daily lives demonstrated the spirit of the outdoors, as they braved rain, snow, and cold conditions to keep them warm.

“[Viewers] love seeing into the window of Jackie and Shadow’s life, seeing it up close and personal,” Steers said. “Very often they’re amazed at the things they’re seeing, the dedication.”