National Eagle Center

The National Eagle Center is a nonprofit organization in Wabasha, Minnesota that focuses on conservation, research and educational efforts relating to eagles.

History

Established in 1989 as EagleWatch Inc., organization initially focused on environmental stewardship through conservation, research, and education in the Upper Mississippi River region. EagleWatch Inc. worked to advance the bald eagle as a symbol of cultural heritage and celebrate eagles as a symbol of the success of federal and state endangered species recovery efforts.^{[citation needed]}

Over its 15-year history, EagleWatch evolved to become The National Eagle Center, a public/private partnership between EagleWatch, the City of Wabasha and the Wabasha Port Authority. These partners have constructed a 14,000-square-foot (1,300 m²) Interpretive center overlooking the Mississippi River, located on one thousand feet of Mississippi River shoreline in Wabasha.^{[citation needed]}

Facilities, events, animals

National Eagle Center Building

The National Eagle Center is home to five eagles, Harriet, Angel, Columbia, Wasaka and Donald.^[1] All five eagles were rescued. They travel extensively to outreach programs and ceremonies.

When the facility is open to visitors, Harriet, Angel, Columbia, Wasaka and Donald, spend most of their time in the eagle viewing room, where volunteers answer questions. Since the birds are tethered as opposed to behind glass or caged, visitors get a close up, personal beak-to-nose experience.

Hour-long educational feeding programs are given a number of times each day, providing visitors with another opportunity to learn about the eagle, as well as participate in question and answer sessions.

The facility provides eagle, wildlife, and conservation exhibits, and several eagle observation decks complete with spotting scopes provide ample opportunity to view countless wild eagles over the adjoining Mississippi River and backwaters, as well as river traffic and other abundant species of wildlife.

The interpretive center focuses on the importance of the bald eagle as a national symbol, and its relationship to veterans of the United States of American Armed Forces. The new Center also relays Native American history and the culture of the region as it relates to the bald eagle. An engaging children's area with kid-proof binoculars provides interest to all ages. The average visit at the National Eagle Center is over 80 minutes.

Facility features

• An exterior 25' high deck, as well as a river-level deck for viewing bald eagles
• Housing for rehabilitated eagles that cannot return to the wild due to their injuries
• An aviary
• Exhibit areas to allow a variety of exhibits

• preserved animal specimens
• preserved birds in flight
• Native American item
• Classrooms, lecture facilities and community gathering area
• Gift shop
• Bird care area
• Elevator

References

1. ^ Schmitz, Rob (2003-01-16). "Eagle Center considers its future". Minnesota Public Radio. http://news.minnesota.publicradio.org/features/2003/01/16_schmitzr_eaglecenter/. Retrieved 2007-09-05. 

External links

• National Eagle Center - official site