Our mission is to protect birds of prey and other migratory birds
in the Western Lake Superior Region through research, education, and stewardship.  

You have given us a gift by supporting our organization. It is our mission to give back by putting forth research, education, and stewardship efforts for bird conservation. We are truly grateful to partner with you in this journey. Your Annual Fund Gift will ensure another successful year for Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory.  Please consider donating today by clicking on the donate button above.

Here are ten reasons your gift will make a difference (in no particular order):
1) Fall Count – To continue long-term monitoring (40+ years) of one of the greatest fall bird migrations in all of North America;
2) Fall Banding – To continue research on where these birds are going, survival rate, population growth, and longevity;
3) Fall Education – To continue to reach out to the thousands of visitors that come up to Hawk Ridge each fall and teach them about our mission;
4) Volunteer Program – To continue to maintain a quality volunteer training program, which helps provide our visitors with a personal, meaningful experience;
5) Adopt Program – To continue to connect birds with people and help create unforgettable memories and stories (see Gretchen’s story below!);
6) Staff – To continue to hire top-notch, highly skilled, passionate people to conduct research and share their knowledge with others;
7) Kids – To continue to reach out to schools through our environmental education programs and ensure future stewards for birds and Hawk Ridge;
8) Hawk Ridge Nature Reserve – To continue our ability to manage the 365-acre site designated as the first Audubon Important Bird Area in MN;
9) Owls – To continue to band owls at Hawk Ridge (one of the top owl sites in the country) and teach about these elusive species during our evening owl programs;
10) Bird Conservation – To continue to contribute our research to the Raptor Population Index, hawkcount.org, USGS Bird Banding Lab and other key projects to educate people on why birds are important.

Thank you again and have a wonderful holiday season!

Sincerely,                                                                                                                               

Janelle Long                                          Karen Stubenvoll             
Executive Director                                  Board Chair  

Photo: Sarah Glesner (left), Gretchen McDaniel (right) with Bald Eagle. On 10/16/11, Nova Mackentley (bander) caught an adult Bald Eagle, which is a very rare occurrence. Long-time Hawk Ridge volunteer, Gretchen, had been on the waiting list to adopt an eagle in honor of her brother-in-law and troops serving overseas. The timing couldn’t have been better, as she happened to be at Hawk Ridge that day with her thank you sign ready. A gracious and teary-eyed crowd celebrated in recognition on a picture-perfect fall afternoon. The pictures, story, and adoption package were sent to his troop in Afghanistan.