Our latest CalPoly Scholarship student is Allison Webenbauer who graduated in December of 2025 with a degree in Biological Sciences and a concentration in Ecology, Evolution, Biodiversity and Conservation. She was “a part of Dr.Francis’s Sensory Ecology and Evolution lab on campus, which kickstarted her involvement in various projects focused on avian conservation research. The first project she was involved in was the Black Oystercatcher Monitoring project, where she spent two seasons monitoring Black Oystercatcher nesting sites across the central coast. She also conducted a research project over the summer of 2025 through Cal Poly’s Frost summer research program, investigating acoustic lure detection by Barn Owls in local vineyards. Through this project she aimed to better understand methods to optimize the use of natural predators for rodent control in agroecological systems.”
In addition, she is “working on the Snowy Plover and Least Tern monitoring team at the Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area. In the future she aims to continue working in conservation research and outreach to protect avian communities in our constantly changing environment.”
We enticed her to come out to visit Bob Isenberg during the Morro Bay Winter Bird Festival in January 2026. She is currently training and working at Camp Keep in Montaña de Oro south of Los Osos.
Camp Keep is a residential outdoor science program located on the Central Coast of California. “For over 50 years, students have developed personal responsibility and gained respect for others by participating in this shared living experience.”
Bob has always gained pleasure from meeting the students receiving scholarship. He’s out at Morro Rock everyday checking on the peregrines and collecting donations daily. We just sent off another $1,000 check to CalPoly for another student this year and will let you know when we hear who it will be.
Our sixth CalPoly Scholarship student that we did not meet was Walter P. Kessler. He received a $1,000 Calpoly Scholarship in 2023. If you know him, please contact us.
Happy trails, Bob, Heather and Jerry
