FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 10 , 2004

Contact: Lisa Green (802) 457-2779 ext. 107, lgreen@vinsweb.org

RAPTOR SUPER HEROES LEAD OTHERS TO  ADOPT INJURED BIRDS OF PREY AT VINS

QUECHEE - Imagine this: You're out in a field and, suddenly, a hawk flies over your head. The hawk's wings are long and broad and the sun reflects off its shining feathers. It's your moment with nature. Unfortunately, some of these beautiful and charismatic creatures are injured in encounters with humankind every day. Many are brought to the Vermont Institute of Natural Science (VINS) in Woodstock, Vermont, where they have a 50% chance of a full recovery and are released back into the wild. Of the remaining 50%, half do not survive and the other half become non-releasable because they are no longer able to survive in the wild due to their injuries. Enter Jake Lockett and Orin Hart, Raptor Super Heroes.

Jake and Orin are two examples of people who have decided to adopt a raptor and play a personal role in the caring and feeding of VINS‚ resident birds of prey which serve as educational ambassadors for the natural world at the VINS Nature Center in Quechee. What makes Jake and Orin Super Heroes is that they are children who are leading other children to get more involved in preserving our natural world through VINS‚ Adopt-a-Raptor program. "I got the idea of adopting a raptor when VINS did a "Birds of Prey" presentation at the Bridges in Warren. I was really impressed! I really wanted a Peregrine Falcon to be our school bird." Says Jake, age 9. "I put together a presentation at my school, and the kids JUMPED at the idea. At the first morning meeting on a Monday in April, I told the school what I wanted to do and how much money I was going for. Many of the kids put money in our jar, and their parents too. By June 1st, we had raised $239. My dad put in the rest because that was our deal. I was happy to hear that a Peregrine Falcon had been rescued just a week ago, and that now we have him as our adopted raptor. My hope is to make this a tradition at Fayston Elementary School (Fayston, Vermont), and pass the money raising on to my brother when I leave." he continues.

One bag of popcorn at a time, Flood Brook Union School student Orin Hart of Londonderry, Vermont, age 13, has been raising money to adopt raptors at VINS. After receiving a VINS newsletter in the mail, Orin decided to have his math project incorporate his love of birds and the outside world. Once a month all throughout the previous school year, Orin had popcorn sales at his school, with all the proceeds going directly to VINS through their Adopt-a-Raptor program. Orin's first month of popcorn sales were a success, raising $30. "The kids felt happy that I was raising money to help birds". says Orin. With the money he raised throughout the year, Orin and his popcorn clients adopted 2 American Kestrels, 1 Northern Saw-Whet Owl, and 3 Eastern Screech Owls from VINS.

The VINS Nature Center in Quechee maintains one of North America‚s most impressive collections of live raptors. All are non-releasable and can not survive in the wild because of their injuries. It costs VINS thousands of dollars each year to care and feed for these birds who now serve as educational ambassadors for the natural world at the VINS Nature Center. The VINS Adopt-a-Raptor program allows individuals the opportunity to play an active role in caring for these raptors and help support VINS‚ mission of protecting our natural heritage through research and education.

Downloadable brochures and more information on VINS‚ Adopt-a-Raptor program for adults and kids are available at http://www.vinsweb.org/raptor-center/adult_adopt.html.

The Vermont Institute of Natural Science is a non-profit, member-supported organization headquartered in Woodstock, Vermont, with regional offices in Montpelier, Manchester, and Quechee. VINS‚ educational programs serve more than 20,000 adults and 35,000 students each year. They have long been a leading research center for the study of migratory songbirds, common loons, peregrine falcons, and other threatened or endangered species. VINS‚ wildlife services department has treated and released thousands of injured wild birds of all species since their inception in 1972. For more information, please visit their website at http://www.vinsweb.org/www.vinsweb.org or contact them at (802) 457-2779.