BOISE, Idaho – Do you like working with birds of prey and want to volunteer for a conservation organization?

The Peregrine Fund’s World Center for Birds of Prey is currently seeking volunteers for these positions at the Velma Morrison Interpretive Center:

• Ambassador: Greet visitors and handle admission and gift shop sales.
• Research Library volunteer: Perform a variety of tasks to help organize the library.
• School tour guide: Engage teachers and students from kindergarten through high school on field trip tours.

“The volunteer program provides the majority of the staffing at the interpretive center,” said Genny Gerke, education specialist and volunteer coordinator. “This is a great way for people of all ages to have fun, contribute to conservation, and work with a great group of volunteers.”

More information can be found on the website or by calling 362-8260.

The Peregrine Fund was founded in 1970 to restore the Peregrine Falcon, which was removed from the U.S. Endangered Species List in 1999. That success encouraged the organization to expand its focus and apply its experience and understanding to raptor conservation efforts on behalf of 102 species in 65 countries worldwide, including the California Condor and Aplomado Falcon in the United States. The organization is non-political, solution-oriented and hands-on, with a mission to:

• Restore rare species through captive breeding and releases.
• Improve capacity for local conservation.
• Conduct scientific research and environmental education.
• Conserve habitat.

The Velma Morrison Interpretive Center opened in 1994 at the World Center for Birds of Prey, which was established by The Peregrine Fund in Boise, Idaho, in 1984. The interpretive center features interactive displays, multi-media shows, and live demonstrations with hawks, falcons, eagles and owls. Visitors may observe live endangered California Condors and Aplomado Falcons. The environmental education program has three components: general public, school-endorsed programs, and outreach. All three use live raptors as an avenue for promoting conservation of birds of prey and their habitat. The interpretive center draws approximately 30,000 visitors annually.

The Archives of Falconry (originally called The Archives of American Falconry) was founded in 1986 by The Peregrine Fund to collect and preserve the history of American falconers. The growing collection eventually reflected the international origins of this ancient sport, and the name was changed in 2000 to the Archives of Falconry. In 2006, the Archives grew significantly with construction of a wing that honors falconry in the Middle East, where the sport is more than 3,000 years old. The only one of its kind, the Archives contains art, books, sculpture and artifacts – many of them priceless. It is open for public tours daily.

For more information, contact:

Erin Katzner
Director of Global Engagement
Main Phone:     208-362-3716
Direct Phone:     208-362-8277

Additional contact

Genny Gerke
(208) 362-8260 direct
(208) 362-3716 main
ggerke@peregrinefund.org
www.peregrinefund.org