The Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History hosted its Leadership Circes of Giving dinner on Thursday, January 18. The annual event recognized the generosity of members and donors who contributed to the success of the 2017 year. Catered by Chef Pete Clements, the décor included centerpieces designed by Museum curators reflecting their area of expertise.
A highlight of the evening was the presentation of the Legacy Awards. The Museum’s Legacy Award was created in 2009 by the Board of Trustees and first awarded in 2010. It recognizes extraordinary contributions by community supporters, donors, and volunteers who have made the Museum the exceptional and beloved institution it is today. This year the awards were presented to Eyes in the Sky, Dr. Charlotte Tyler, and Judy and Jack Stapelmann.
Eyes in the Sky, an educational project of the Santa Barbara Audubon Society, is located in the Museum’s Backyard and houses seven rehabilitated raptors who act as “wildlife ambassadors” to foster respect and understanding for wild species and their habitats. Charlotte Tyler is a long-time Museum and Sea Center volunteer and generous supporter. She currently serves as a docent in the Planetarium providing astronomy programs. Judy and Jack Stapelmann have been members of the Leadership Circles of Giving for more than a decade and recently made a generous donation to the Centennial Campaign.
The Centennial Campaign, a four-year effort to raise funds to complete a major renovation of the Museum, received a Challenge Grant from generous supporters to raise $10 million in order to receive a gift of $5 million. With only $400,000 left to raise, the Museum has nearly reached its Centennial Campaign goal of $18.4 million. Hard at work to raise the remaining funds, the Museum is reaching out to everyone who might have a possible interest in helping meet this challenge. For more information about the Campaign visit http://campaign.sbnature.org.
The renovations supported by the Centennial Campaign will create exciting new galleries while refurbishing existing ones, improve accessibility for paths and walkways, and ultimately strengthen the link between the indoor exhibits and the natural outdoors. Launched in September 2017 and slated to finish in summer 2018, the improvements will set the stage for new and strengthened programming to connect the stories the Museum tells through its exhibits with authentic experiences in nature. All Museum patrons, and especially children, will find their experience vastly improved with more interactive, hands-on, and engaging spaces.