Joan Embery

Joan Embery
Conservationist • Public Speaker • Equestrian

Few people in the world are as dedicated to the preservation of wildlife and the environment as Joan Embery.

For the majority of her life, Joan has worked with animals and championed the need for preservation and the protection of diminishing habitats. Millions of people around the world have enjoyed her public appearances on TV—often with amazing animals—and in person at countless nonprofit fundraisers. She is also an accomplished equestrian and trainer. She and her husband Duane established the Pillsbury Ranch in Lakeside, San Diego, where event rentals, horse boarding, and more are offered. Between spending time with her animals, riding, hosting events, and leading travel excursions, Joan serves as President and Chairman of the Board of the Embery Institute for Wildlife Conservation, a nonprofit organization which supports specific conservation and research programs both in the United States and internationally.

Today we are challenged to determine the fate of animal life on our planet and the delicate balance of natural resources. Decisions we make today will determine the health of our world and the future of all its inhabitants. We humans have the ability to define our future quality of life and the fate of those without a voice. Join us in this endeavor to preserve our natural world and its incredible beauty and diversity. Working together we can help ensure a healthy planet for both humans and animals.

Remembering Duane Pillsbury (6.17.29-9.16.20)

In remembrance of her beloved husband, best friend, and soulmate, Joan Embery thanks the community of friends and family for their support and love in these past months. With much sadness, along with fond memories, Joan shares her gratitude for a man we all knew to be a constantly generous, fun-loving friend and storyteller.

Please click here to view an image gallery of some of the wonderful adventures Joan and Duane shared over the years.

Duane, your smile and warm words will live with each of us for all time, and we will always feel comforted by the winds that touch our cheeks and rustle the leaves. Thank you, and safe travels!

News & Events

International Sloth Day
10.20.21

Learn about Andele, our two-toed sloth ambassador who reminds us all the importance of just hanging out and taking it easy.

International Vulture Awareness Day
09.04.21

JJ Turns Five!
08.30.21

What does a charismatic, flashy little toucan like on his birthday? Extra blueberries and extra attention from his people-family!
Learn more about JJ here.

International Day of the Tropics
06.29.21

Image source: KVDP

What are the Tropics?
Also known as the tropical zone or the torrid zone, they're the area near the equator between the Tropic of Cancer in the northern hemisphere and the Tropic of Capricorn in the southern hemisphere.

Challenges in the Tropics
Deforestation, logging, climate change, urbanization, and wildfires are among the many challenges that threaten biodiversity and human welfare in this region.

Meet Our Ambassadors from the Tropics
Do you know how many of the Embery Institute for Wildlife Conservation's animal ambassadors hail from the tropics? We'd love for you to meet our ambassador family to learn more about our tropical ambassadors and their friends.

Kokomo's 1st Birthday!
05.16.21

We can hardly believe that Kokomo's first birthday is today!

Kokomo is thriving and entertaining us all with his antics every day. As you can see, his eye color is changing and will eventually be a reddish brown. Also, the first fold on his casque (a lightweight growth on his upper mandible) is forming; it is believed that Papuan hornbills may grow a series of up to eight of these folds in their lifetime!

Learn more about Papuan hornbills here, or consider arranging an educational event to visit and learn about Kokomo and all of his ambassador friends!

Our Papuan Hornbill is Famous!
01.24.21

Kokomo after his first molt January 2021

Kokomo, our young Papuan hornbill, serves as an important animal ambassador for his and other hornbill species. Even though he's just over eight months old, he has already shown himself to be smart, social, and full of character!

In the feature article for Avicultural Society of America's January/February 2021 e-Bulletin issue, you can learn about Papuan hornbills' native habitat, what they eat, and how they live and behave. And as one of the few Papuan hornbills in the United States, Kokomo and some of his amusing antics are shared in the article. The article will give you a glimpse of this unique and fun-loving animal ambassador who we hope you are soon able to enjoy and learn from in person!

Tango's 5th Birthday!
01.11.21

From our unique family to yours, Pillsbury Ranch, the Lakeside Saddle & Driving Club, and the Embery Institute for Wildlife Conservation wish you a healthy and safe 2021!

World Lemur Day
10.30.20

Learn more about lemurs, an amazing order of primates native to Madagascar. Their numbers are rapidly dwindling, so your help to conserve their habitat can make an important difference for their future survival.

Olivia, our black and white ruffed lemur, is a great lemur ambassador. We hope you get to meet her soon, if you haven't already!

Kokomo is Here!

No, we are not referring to a stay-cation at Pillsbury Ranch, but to a new addition to our animal ambassador family.

Kokomo is a young Papuan hornbill (Rhyticeros plicatus), also known as Blyth’s hornbill, who just arrived at the Embery Institute for Wildlife Conservation this week.

Less than four months old, Kokomo already resembles an adult of his species, except for the prominent casque that will grow on the top of his upper bill and the eventual darkening of his eyes into a reddish-brown color.

We look forward to having you meet Kokomo and watch him grow in the coming months and years! He has a lot to share with us about what makes hornbills a unique family of tropical and subtropical birds.

You can learn more about Kokomo here.