Celebrate vulture awareness and raptor conservation education at Hawk Mountain
Posted on August 27, 2024 in Visitors
Saturday, September 7 is an exciting day to celebrate scavengers as Hawk Mountain once again hosts its annual International Vulture Awareness Day (IVAD) celebration and commences its annual Autumn Weekend Programs.
International Vulture Awareness Day activities run from 10 am to 3 pm and include educational crafts and activities for children, info stations on the Sanctuary’s long-term vulture research, and the ever-popular LIVE vulture program at 2 pm in the Amphitheater. Visitors are also encouraged to head to the trails in search of vultures soaring low over the lookouts.
Anyone can support the Sanctuary’s work researching and conserving New World vultures by either purchasing vulture-themed apparel and merchandise online or in Hawk Mountain’s Mountain Bookstore, or by participating in its Adopt-a-Vulture program. Different contribution levels starting at $50 offer the opportunity to directly fund aspects of Hawk Mountain’s research on turkey and black vultures. Learn more about the project and how to adopt at hawkmountain.org/give/adopt-a-vulture.
In addition to the celebration on Saturday, the Sanctuary’s fun and educational weekend programming will kick off. This year’s Autumn Weekend Programs will run each Saturday and Sunday through November 24. Admission is free for members or with a trail pass.
Programs offered include Hawk Mountain’s signature live raptor program, Raptors Up Close, along with Name That Raptor and How We Study Migrating Raptors. Programs cover a variety of raptor basics and offer guests a unique and beneficial education opportunity while visiting the Sanctuary. Visitors will also have the chance to meet the new class of international trainees and learn from them the tools and techniques used at Hawk Mountain. For more details on the autumn programs and their schedule, visit hawkmountain.org/weekendprograms.
For any information regarding these programs or any other events offered at Hawk Mountain, visit hawkmountain.org/events.