General Meeting

Audubon Starr Ranch Sanctuary is a 4,000-acre wildlife sanctuary in the foothills of the Santa Ana Mountains in south Orange County. The mission of Starr Ranch is to offer innovative approaches to land management and environmental education that will influence the way Southern California citizens appreciate, conserve, and manage wildlands. Starr Ranch Sanctuary is unique in that the landscape has not been impacted by suburban development. Starr Ranch has been owned and stewarded by the National Audubon Society since 1973. Research- based restoration has been underway since 1999 to restore the landscape to native coastal sage scrub, chaparral, and purple needlegrass grasslands. Research, education, and land management at Starr Ranch were directed by Dr. Sandy DeSimone prior to her tragic passing earlier this year. Audubon California is working on her replacement. Anthony LaSalle began his conservation career at Starr Ranch in the fall of 2024. Prior to joining Sandy DeSimone’s restoration crew. Anthony earned his bachelor’s degree in Environmental Studies from the University of Vermont. He arrived at Starr Ranch with experience in non-chemical invasive plant management, climate change activism, organic farming, and more odd jobs than he can count or remember. After completing two seasons of restoration work, he took on the role of Operations and Maintenance Technician, lending a hand to Pete DeSimone, who has been the Ranch Manager since 1988. Meeting is by Zoom only and meeting doors will open 6:30 pm. Join us at 6:45 pm. for a Sea and Sage project highlight; meeting starts at 7:00 pm