Read news and updates from the Audubon Center for Birds of Prey
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It’s been over three months since we closed our doors due to COVID-19. While this has been challenging, it has also brought new opportunities and learning experiences for us.
As we hit peak baby raptor season, almost 200 birds were admitted between March and May. Even now, the finish line still seems a far distance away. Our essential bird care team has been heroic, caring for all of these young birds with limited staff members and resources.
Our entire team stays committed to our mission of saving and protecting birds and their important habitat. Our team is resilient and adaptable. EagleWatchers continued to monitor nests and collect data; education has pivoted with many firsts: first virtual Baby Owl Shower, first virtual Raptor camp; our CLI students have engaged in online learning and career building. All of this is possible due to our donors, supporters, and partners, who continue to be invested in Audubon and the Center for Birds of Prey.
As we make plans to bring back staff and volunteers, as well as prepare to open our doors to the public, we hope you will remain committed to our success. Please help us as we explore and prepare for our “new normal.” We look forward to seeing you in person soon. Check our website and social media sites for re-opening dates.
To give, click here. We thank you and the birds thank you.
Sincerely,
Katie Gill Warner
Center Director |
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| Merlin, a Barred Owl, meets campers virtually |
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| While we would have much preferred that Raptor Camp be in person this year, staff and campers had a blast last week – virtually. Campers learned how birds are presented in media, and how often movies, TV shows, and comic books get things wrong about animals. Campers played games, completed crafts, and formed a community throughout the week, all while learning about raptors. Plus, with camp being online, we were able to welcome campers from as far away as Virginia, who would typically never get to experience summer camp with us. |
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| CLI Intern, Olivia Sciandra |
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| Olivia Sciandra is our Conservation Leadership Initiative Summer Intern. She is a Senior at the University of South Florida, working towards a B.S. in Environmental Biology and a B.A. in Anthropology. She has experience with animal husbandry working with USF Faculty on a prairie dog genomics project, and has also planned several events for her student organizations at USF and in previous job experiences. Olivia became involved with Audubon after attending the 2020 Gulf Coast Regional CLI event, and she is passionate about conservation science and human-environment relationships. We’re pleased to have Olivia this summer. She will be assisting in planning the next CLI cohort as well as education programming over the next few months. |
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| I Saw A Bird episode featuring the Center for Birds of Prey |
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| National Audubon Society has been hosting a weekly web show, “I Saw a Bird”. Last month, we were invited to join in on an episode about spring migration and baby birds. Watch the video on YouTube. You could jump to 34 minutes in to see just our segment, but then you’d miss an interview with Dr. Jane Goodall! |
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| Intern Daniel at a program, teaching about Alina the Merlin |
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| In January we welcomed Daniel DiPietro as an Education Intern to the Center. Over the last six months Daniel has helped teach children and adults about raptors and the Center. While COVID-19 changed how his internship looked, he quickly adapted. Daniel assisted in creating many of the Center’s Lunch and Learn programs as well as Virtual Raptor Camp. His internship ends this month, but we’re lucky that Daniel has decided to continue volunteering for the Center after his internship is over! |
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| Your support is an investment in the Audubon Center for Birds of Prey’s work of conserving and preserving Florida’s magnificent raptors. In addition, your contribution supports education programs for kids, Bald Eagle conservation through programs like EagleWatch, and rehabilitation of sick and injured raptors. Thank you. |
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