Wear something purple for Jackie…late Tuesday in Bird World

1 September 2026

California has officially proclaimed September 4, 2026, as California Wildlife Day in memory of Jackie, the famous Big Bear bald eagle. 

  • The Resolution: Senator Tony Strickland introduced Senate Resolution 140, which passed with bipartisan support in the California State Senate. 
  • The Purpose: The special day honours Jackie’s global impact, highlights the importance of wildlife conservation, and ties into America’s 250th anniversary. 
  • Legal Status: It is a single-day legislative proclamation and does not create a permanent annual state holiday, official time off, or mandatory closures. 
  • Background: Jackie was a beloved 14-year-old bald eagle in the San Bernardino National Forest whose life was broadcast globally via a 24/7 livestream run by the Friends of Big Bear Valley. She passed away in August 2026. 

Those who support this bill and want to show their love and honour Jackie will wear purple on the 4th! I am telling you this early so you can find something purple!!!!!!!

I would like to thank ‘B’ for alerting me to this wonderful tribute to Jackie.

KTLA covers the story: https://youtu.be/ZJTL6ZWnJsg?s

So get out your purple. What a wonderful way to honour wildlife and our dear Jackie! Each of us needs to support wildlife so let us all join in with California no matter where we live!

Thank you for being with me this evening. Please take care.

Thank you to ‘B’, to KTLA, and to the State of California!

Published by maryannsteggles

I went to the UK as a Commonwealth Scholar in 1990 and received my PhD from the University of Leicester in 1993. After three decades of university teaching, I retired to devote my time to the study of raptor behaviour. I am particularly interested in Ospreys and am working on a long term project on third hatch survival and siblicide in these raptors. My blog is a result of a fascination with my local wildlife and the desire to encourage others to love and care for birds! I live on the Canadian Prairies and prior to the pandemic travelled a lot. I am questioning the use of aviation fuel at the moment as we all strive to help our planet. My early research was in politics and art including British public statues exported to Southeast Asia and Vietnam Resistors that contributed much to Canadian ceramics. Books and articles were published on those subjects over a period of 3 decades. Now I am working on books for children so they can learn about the challenges our raptors face.

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