Looking Out for Iowa: Raptor resources

By Taylor on July 24, 2015 in Blog

A Swainson’s hawk soars through the sky. (Photo by Sue Schulties)

Looking for a new way to support conservation in Iowa? Try sponsoring a raptor! Endangered or disabled raptors are rehabilitated and/or used for education all across Iowa. Check out the following organizations for more information on how to get involved:

Lloyd Veterinary Medical Center

Sponsoring a permanently disabled educational raptor at the Lloyd Veterinary Medical Center at Iowa State means you fund the housing and feeding of the bird for a year, enabling the resident of the clinic to serve as an ambassador to educate children—and the public—about wild animals and conservation.

Macbride Raptor Project

Co-sponsored by the University of Iowa and Kirkwood Community College, the program allows individuals or organizations to adopt or sponsor permanently disabled raptors, such as hawks, owls, eagles, falcons or vultures, as a means of supporting its work. Sponsors also receive a framed photo of the adopted bird and a certificate of appreciation.

Raptor Resource Project

Based in Decorah, the Raptor Resource Project aims to preserve and strengthen raptor populations, including falcons, eagles, ospreys, hawks and owls,  and to expand raptor preservation participation. The non-profit creates, improves and directly maintains over 40 nests and nest sites and provides training in nest site creation.

Saving Our Avian Resources (SOAR)

SOAR sponsorships help with food costs, medical costs and general ongoing care and support for the educational ambassador team of raptors, which includes owls, hawks, falcons and eagles. Educational programs utilizing the raptors can also be sponsored.

Also try contacting your county conservation board. Many work with these organizations or have adoption/sponsorship programs of their own.