Nature’s Pest Managers: Barn Owls and the People Protecting Santa Clara County Parks

Santa Clara County’s Barn Owl Nest Box Program uses nature’s own pest managers to support healthy ecosystems through Integrated Pest Management, or IPM. Since 2010, the County has maintained 20 nest boxes throughout parks and open spaces, providing homes for barn owls while reducing the need for chemical pest control. These boxes are monitored throughout the year, and in the past year alone, 40 barn owls successfully fledged from County nest boxes.

Barn owls help maintain ecological balance by naturally controlling populations of small mammals such as voles, pocket gophers, mice, and moles. The program also highlights the importance of volunteers, including Santa Clara Valley Audubon volunteer Lee Pauser, whose dedication has helped identify suitable nest sites and support successful owl renesting efforts.

Within the first six months of joining the County of Santa Clara, I met Lee Pauser in the spring of 2017. A former Apple computer programmer, his passion for conservation immediately stood out. Some people have a way of making you feel like you have known them forever. Lee was one of those people.

Working alongside Lee during nest box monitoring has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my career. Long afternoons in the field, thick gloves, and the opportunity to care for and monitor barn owls have shown me the impact that dedicated volunteers can have on conservation.

The next time you see a large wooden nest box in a Santa Clara County park, remember that it represents more than a home for an owl. It represents a partnership between wildlife, volunteers, and park staff working together through IPM to protect natural resources and keep our parks healthy for future generations.