Making a Difference for Good: Helping Our Natural Aviators Thrive Through Education and Viewing Experiences

By Carmelo Turdo

Winter is the time when bald eagles migrate into the Midwest, and they can be more easily viewed in their natural habitat along the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers. This first weekend of January also kicked off the series of weekly educational events featuring bald eagles and other raptors at the Alton, IL Visitors Center, Audubon Center at Riverlands, and other venues. These magnificent raptors are made available for viewing and full-length demonstrations by the World Bird Sanctuary and the Treehouse Wildlife Center at events around the region. The birds on display are cared for by these organizations following nest abandonment or injuries that render them unable to survive independently in nature (others are released following recovery and rehabilitation). They serve as ambassadors for their species, inspiring humanity to be mindful of their roles in our environment and protect them from careless and malicious treatment.

A series of educational events will be presented to the public through March, many of which are listed on the Great River Road website. The Aero Experience appreciates their work advocating for our natural aviators, and we have some views of the great turnout for Saturday's events: