4th Graders Raise Funds to Save Bald Eagle Family's Home

When 4th grader Evie Cook learned the bald eagles she'd been watching for years might lose their habitat, she didn't just feel sad. She decided to do something about it.

Sara Stinson's science class in California has spent months watching Jackie and Shadow, a mating pair of bald eagles in Big Bear Valley, raise their chicks on a 24/7 livestream. The students witnessed the eagles build their nest, lay eggs, and nurture their babies as part of their life cycle curriculum.

But a few months ago, Stinson discovered troubling news while pulling up the live cam. The last undeveloped shoreline of Big Bear Lake, where the eagles hunt for food, was slated to become a luxury housing development unless conservationists could raise $10 million by the end of July.

When Stinson shared this with her students, their response surprised her. "They felt so passionate about it," she told ABC 7 news. "They were like, 'What can we do?'"

The answer came quickly. One student set up a lemonade stand while another posted flyers around local businesses explaining how people could donate to the San Bernardino Mountains Land Trust, which entered a limited purchase agreement to buy the property called Moon Camp.

The land isn't just important for Jackie and Shadow. It also provides habitat for endemic plant species like the ash-gray Indian paintbrush, making it a biodiversity hotspot worth protecting.

The Ripple Effect

The students' grassroots efforts are contributing to a growing movement. The land trust and Friends of Big Bear Valley nonprofit have already raised about a quarter of the $10 million needed, with plans to secure a loan if necessary to complete the purchase.

But these 4th graders aren't waiting for adults to solve everything. They're organizing bake sales, fundraisers, and awareness campaigns because they understand something important: the eagles that taught them about the cycle of life deserve their help in return.

Their teacher's lesson plan has evolved into something bigger than anyone expected. What started as a way to watch nature unfold has become a masterclass in environmental stewardship and taking action when something you love is threatened.

These students are proving that you're never too young to make a difference for the wildlife that shares our world.