Memorial Fundraiser Honoring Drew Stokes

On May 30, the Southern California conservation community lost one of its most dedicated and compassionate voices. Drew Stokes, a longtime wildlife biologist with the San Diego Natural History Museum, passed away after a battle with cancer. He was taken far too soon, leaving behind a powerful legacy in the world of bat research, public education, and habitat conservation.

For more than 25 years, Drew devoted his life to understanding and protecting Southern California's native bat species. His expertise in field biology, from acoustic monitoring to mist netting and telemetry, informed critical conservation efforts across the region. He led surveys, contributed to landmark publications such as the San Diego County Mammal Atlas, and inspired countless colleagues and community members with his deep knowledge and enduring curiosity.

Drew was also a passionate educator. Whether leading public bat walks, working on projects at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, or speaking with school groups, he brought bats to life for people of all ages — turning fear into fascination and curiosity into care.

In honor of Drew’s life and legacy, we are establishing the Drew Stokes Memorial Fund. This fund will support educational and conservation initiatives through the SoCal Bat Working Group, helping to continue the work Drew held so dear: protecting native bats and teaching future generations about their importance in our ecosystems.

We kindly invite you to make a donation in Drew's memory. Your contribution will help ensure that his passion lives on through outreach programs, research, and advocacy efforts that reflect the spirit and purpose Drew brought to everything he did.

Every gift, no matter the size, helps carry forward Drew’s vision for a world that values and safeguards its wild inhabitants.

Thank you for helping us honor Drew Stokes and the enduring impact he had on Southern California’s natural world.