Education Programs



DVRC offers educators and group leaders the opportunity to introduce their students and participants to the fascinating world of raptors. The audience will not only gain an understanding of such ecological concepts as predator/prey relationships; they will see a hawk or an eagle up close.

This kind of an experience instills into each individual a greater respect and appreciation for the birds. DVRC programs foster a more responsible attitude towards all wildlife.

"Close Encounters with Birds of Prey" brings five live raptors, a hawk, a falcon, two owls, and an eagle to schools, nature centers, libraries, etc. Talks, lasting about one hour, cover predator/prey relationships, wildlife rehabilitation, specific adaptations of the birds present, and various issues facing wildlife today. DVRC's two educators speak to over 24,000 people a year, mostly school children.

Most of the birds treated at the center are returned to the wild. However, due to the severity of their injuries, some birds are unable to survive in the wild and must remain in capativity. These birds become an important element in DVRC educational programs, offering both young and old a joyful, magical experience that one is unlikely to forget.

Some of the concepts the birds help to teach:
  • predator/prey relationships
  • the "evil" predator myth
  • behavior
  • raptor identification
  • survival adaptations
  • the hawk migration phenomenon
  • endangered species
  • raptor conservation
  • rehabilitation
  • the acient art of falconry

    • Programs are offered during the day or evening, weekdays and weekends and usually last one hour, depending on your needs.

    If you are interested in scheduling a date for a program or need more information, please call, rather than e-mail, the center at (570)296-6025


    Check out New Castle Community Television's Coverage of the Hudson River Eaglefest 2009, including Bill presenting parts of Close Encounters with Birds of Prey.
    Once at the website click Seen on NCCTV, then NCCTV Specials. Scroll thru the picture links and click on the one for Eaglefest.

    Check out our Close Encounters Brochure. (requires Adobe Acrobat. Get it Free. Click here.)

    Check out our Video Clips to see samples of our education program.

    Go to our Program Schedule to see the latest public programs.

    Bios on some of our resident birds that might be used during a program are featured here.

    Check out our Staff Bios.