Once on the brink of extinction—with only 27 condors remaining in the 1980s—the species has made a dramatic comeback thanks to the California Condor Recovery Program, launched by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in 1979. A cornerstone of the effort was the captive breeding program, begun in 1987, which has successfully reintroduced more than 200 condors into the wild.

Founded in 1977, Ventana Wildlife Society has been a key partner in this achievement, leading efforts to restore both the Bald Eagle and the California Condor to Central California. Joe Burnett joined the organization in 1993 and went on to coordinate the first seven releases of condors in Big Sur and at Pinnacles National Monument. Joe left the VWS in 2003 to help develop the Oregon Zoo’s Captive Breeding Program for condors and returned to Ventana in 2005 to lead further release efforts. His lifelong dedication and hands-on experience have made him one of the most knowledgeable condor experts in the country.

Following the film, Joe will answer questions and share stories from his 30 years working with these extraordinary birds.