Jim Shane
2026 California Condor Release
Saturday, September 26 at 12pm MDT (11am MST, northern Arizona "condor time")
The Peregrine Fund and the Bureau of Land Management Vermilion Cliffs National Monument are hosting a celebration on National Public Lands Day, Saturday, September 26 by releasing young California Condors at 12pm MDT (11am MST, northern Arizona Condor Time). The annual event will be held in person at Vermilion Cliffs National Monument and will be live-streamed via The Peregrine Fund’s YouTube channel.
Celebrate with us!
Commemorative Shirts:
Limited edition commemorative 2026 Condor Release shirts are coming soon! All proceeds go to support our condor recovery program.
Livestream Event Details:
The YouTube livestream event will have three cameras positioned around the condor release pen, as well as cameras in the crowd in the canyon below. We’ll feature video interviews, pre-recorded content, and a live Q&A, so come prepared with questions to ask experts from both our propagation and field teams—we’ll be taking questions from our virtual audience via our YouTube channel.
- Livestream begins at 11:30am MDT (1:30pm Eastern / 12:30pm Central / 10:30am Pacific)
- Livestream link coming soon!
In-person Event Details:
The in-person event will be held at Vermilion Cliffs National Monument. Event activities will begin at 10:00am MST (northern Arizona "condor time"), so please join all of the condor partners prior to the opening of the pen for a chance to learn more about the Recovery Program! Attendees will have the opportunity to talk with condor biologists and program partners, learn about the birds and their habitat, and enjoy a festival-like atmosphere while waiting for the condors to take their first flight from the Vermilion Cliffs! The release pen will open at 11am MST.
Take home a piece of condor history—we will be raffling off the tags that the condors have worn in the captive breeding program, and there will be a silent auction for condor-themed art. Due to limited internet access, it is recommended to bring cash to participate in the raffle and silent auction. All donations will benefit the condor field program directly.
- Driving directions: Take Highway 89A from Kanab, UT, or Page, AZ to the Vermilion Cliffs (from Flagstaff take Highway 89 to Highway 89A). Turn north onto BLM Road 1065 (a dirt road next to the small house just east of the Kaibab Plateau) and continue for almost three miles. If traveling from Utah, please note the differences between time zones—the event begins at 9:30am MST (northern Arizona Condor Time), which is 10:30am MDT (Utah time).
- Parking: Parking is limited at the release site, so be prepared to walk up to a mile from your car to the event. The later you arrive, the longer the walk to the viewing area. There will be people and signage directing you when you arrive.
- Bring: Spotting scope or binoculars, sunscreen, hat, ample water, cash, snacks, a chair, and layered clothing. The closest facilities to obtain supplies are 40 minutes from the remote release site.
- Details: Informational kiosk, shade structure, and restroom at the site.
- Map: https://www.blm.gov/sites/default/files/docs/2022-10/condor_event_overview_map_20210818_450dpi_508.pdf
2026 California Condor Release
Additional information coming soon!
