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The Radin Raptor Center A long time dream of Woodleaf Outdoor School Director John Hendrickson, the Radin Raptor Center was completed in the spring of 1999. The Radin Raptor Center seeks to combine within people both the knowledge and caring necessary to inspire responsible action towards raptors, birds, wildlife, and fellow humans.Over 5,000 sixth grade students visit the Radin Raptor Center each year. At this amazing facility, these children have the unique opportunity to see injured hawks, eagles, and owls up close. Students have a chance to learn the ecological roles these birds play in their habitats and see first hand how humans can both have a positive or a negative effect on these incredible wild animals. Although an integral part of the Woodleaf Outdoor School program, much of the funds used to build the center and most of the labor that built it were donated and volunteered. Today little has changed. The cost of maintaining the center, caring for the birds, providing programming, the Raptor Center Manager's salary, and all improvements are funded by the Woodleaf Foundation and private donations. New Raptor Center projects include an adopt-a-raptor program. School groups, families, businesses, or individuals will be able to adopt an injured raptor and financially support the care and feeding for that bird for one year. Those who adopt a raptor will receive a beautiful photograph of their bird and receive a yearly update on the bird. In addition, a recent series of grants has allowed the Raptor Center to begin developing, with generous help from Actaeon West, Inc., a Web site dedicated to creating a clearing house of information about American Kestrels and erecting Kestrel Nest Boxes across the United States. Kestrelsacrossamerica.org will seek to educate, inspire caring, and generate action by adults, children, families, and groups across the United States on behalf of kestrels. |