Join POST and Santa Clara County Parks for an educational experience like no other: Raptor Fest! This incredible event will highlight very important species of raptors who play an integral role in the health of our ecosystems!

This free educational event will feature presentations and a chance to visit local wildlife and conservation nonprofits or groups who work to protect vital species in the Bay Area. The event will be hosted at Rancho San Vicente, a newer addition to Calero County Park that was protected by POST and is rapidly becoming a destination to view a variety of raptors.

This is a unique opportunity to see and learn about birds of prey and the importance of conservation in our communities. Presentations will include Master Falconer Kenny Elvin of Full Circle Falconry. Kenny Elvin will be providing a 45-minute falconry presentation several times during the event. Kenny will share about the history of falconry as well as the biology and habits of raptors. The presentation may involve a flight demonstration, depending on conditions. A representative of Santa Clara County Parks will open the falconry presentation by sharing their efforts to protect raptors throughout the park system.

The event will also include tables from our partners at Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority, Santa Clara Valley Bird Alliance, Peninsula Human Society & SPCA, and San Francisco Bay Bird Observatory.

Seating for the presentations will be on the ground. Please come prepared with a picnic blanket, a jacket, and sun protection to help you comfortably sit in the open field. Low-profile chairs will be allowed, but we will ask that you set up behind guests seated on blankets. High-back chairs will also be allowed but will sit in a separate section behind the blankets and low-profile chairs. There is no shade, wear sun protection and bring plenty of water to stay hydrated.

Please note that a shuttle service is required and provided for this event, as there is limited parking at the event site. Shuttle riders are strongly recommended to wear a mask for the entirety of the shuttle trip. Contact us at [email protected] if you need any special accommodation. We hope to see you there and that you enjoy Raptor Fest!

No animals are allowed (except for service animals).

**Please note this event is subject to cancellation due to inclement weather. Keep an eye on your inbox closer to the date of the event for updates and news**

COVID-19 Guidelines: We ask that you do not attend this event if you are experiencing any COVID-19-related symptoms, including fever or chills; cough; shortness of breath or difficulty breathing; fatigue; muscle or body aches; headache; new loss of taste or smell; sore throat; congestion or runny nose; nausea or vomiting; diarrhea. 

Directions to Rancho San Vicente

Please note, this event is taking place at the Rancho San Vicente addition to Calero County Park, north of the main entrance to Calero. 

See below for more directions.

Parking and Shuttle Service to the event area will be located at the Challenger School of Almaden Parking Lot. Shuttle service will transport guests from the Challenger School parking lot to the Rancho San Vicente trailhead. We strongly recommend folks wear a mask during shuttle trips. ADA access is available upon request.

In 2009, POST purchased the 966-acre Rancho San Vicente from private developers, who had originally intended to build a luxury housing development. This property is an important piece in completing a 15-mile greenbelt from Los Gatos to near Highway 101 in Morgan Hill.

POST has since transferred the property to the Santa Clara County Parks and Recreation Department to establish public use trails. It’s now open for you to explore and enjoy. 

About the Hosts

Peninsula Open Space Trust protects open space on the Peninsula and in the South Bay for the benefit of all. Since 1977, POST has protected over 76,000 acres in San Mateo, Santa Clara, and Santa Cruz Counties.

Santa Clara County Parks has a six-decade legacy of providing outstanding recreational opportunities in beautiful natural locations has resulted in one of the largest regional park systems in California. Since the first County parkland was acquired in 1924, the Santa Clara County park system has grown to include 28 regional parks encompassing over 52,000 acres of land.

About our Partners

Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority works to protect open space for wildlife, water and working lands and to connect people to nature through our educational events as well as recreation in our open space preserves. We would love to share information about our services with local communities.

Santa Clara Valley Bird Alliance is an environmental education and conservation organization serving Santa Clara County and its people for the past 100 years. Our mission is to encourage the appreciation and enjoyment of our diverse bird community amongst all people in our county while providing education opportunities, advocating for wildlife, and hosting a variety of outings for the public.

Peninsula Humane Society & SPCA extends its caring services to sick, injured and orphaned wildlife. Their patients come from San Francisco, San Mateo, and Santa Clara Counties and include hawks, ducks, geese, songbirds, seabirds and mammals. In addition, we give local residents humane solutions to their urban wildlife conflicts and treat animals impacted by environmental disasters, such as oils spills.

San Francisco Bay Bird Observatory For 40 years, SFBBO’s mission has been to conserve birds and their habitats through science and outreach. Our nonprofit’s team of biologists and ecologists conduct research to better understand our local bird populations, study and restore their habitats, and share our data with other scientists, policymakers, community leaders, and Bay Area residents who use the data to preserve the beauty and biodiversity of our region.

Predatory Bird Research Group‘s mission is to use the example of the Peregrine Falcon recovery as an inspiration for tackling today’s environmental challenges, and to involve students and citizen scientists in monitoring the current status of predatory birds in California.

Wildlife Education and Rehabilitation Center (WERC) provides the community with rehabilitation services for orphaned, injured and sick native wildlife. Through our educational programs, WERC encourages a peaceful coexistence between civilization and our native wildlife.

POST Logo - Peninsula Open Space Trust

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