The grand opening of The Peregrine Fund's Velma Morrison Interpretive Center is scheduled for Saturday and Sunday 21 and 22 May 1994. The admission is free and the facility will be open both days from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

The $1.2 million Interpretive Center was built with the support of many in the community to address the increasing public desire to see and learn about conservation and birds of prey. This 7,200 square foot facility has the capacity to handle over 50,000 visitors per year.

A visit to the Interpretive Center includes three different multi-media presentations, exhibits, interactive displays, and, of course, close contact with several birds of prey including Bateleur Eagles, Peregrine Falcons, a Golden Eagle, a Ornate Hawk Eagle, a Short-eared Owl, and Harpy Eagles. The Center is a non-traditional educational resource. In this vein, visitors will receive an educational experience that is not offered at any other facility in the area, including in the classroom.

The Center houses The Peregrine Fund's Education Program which is a team effort between The Peregrine Fund's conservation staff, volunteers, and teachers. Teaching children and adults about conservation and the importance of our environment is one of The Peregrine Fund's highest priorities. School visits are ongoing and will be expanded to include teachers' curriculums, tailored toward different grade levels and provided before each visit.

All visitors will initiate and complete their self-guided tours of the Velma Morrison Interpretive Center in the Central Room. This open-aired room with high wooden beamed ceilings, a life-sized eagle, and unique wildlife art make the Central Room the core and focal point of the facility. From here visitors will proceed to one of the three distinct areas of the building. Experienced volunteer docents are available throughout the facility to provide additional information, present programs, and to answer questions. Each area is equipped with multi-media videos, exhibits, and numerous static and interactive displays. In addition, the gift shop provides gift ideas for any occasion.

The Peregrine Fund is working to conserve nature both within the United States and abroad. Education is a crucial component in the Fund's conservation efforts. Only through education can we hope to change attitudes and behaviors that will affect our world for generations to come. The Peregrine Fund's Education Program provides an opportunity to learn about birds of prey with the hope that these encounters will have a lasting impact on both attitude and behavior toward all wildlife and our natural world.
 

MAJOR SUPPORT FOR CONSTRUCTION OF THE PEREGRINE FUND'S INTERPRETIVE CENTER PROVIDED BY:

Harry W. Morrison Foundation
M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust
Laura Moore Cunningham Foundation
The Ahmanson Foundation 
West One Bank
Hal Maxey
Joe and Joy Eoff
Frank Marshall and Kathleen Kennedy 
Jim and Karin Nelson 
Rich and Jo Snyder
Boise Water Corporation
Ore-Ida Foods/H.J. Heinz
Edward W. and Evelyn Rose Fund
McAlvain Construction, Inc.
T.J. International
Louisiana-Pacific Foundation, Inc.
Owyhee Construction Co.
Idaho Power Company
Ron and Linda Yanke
American Paving Company
The Whittenberger Foundation
Donald and Mary Kayser

For more information, contact:

Erin Katzner

Director of Global Engagement

Main Phone:208-362-3716

Direct Phone:208-362-8277