The Peregrine Fund announced plans for the organization's 25th Anniversary today. Events will take place at the Velma Morrison Interpretive Center from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on 23 September 1995. The Velma Morrison Interpretive Center is located at the end of South Cole Road. Admission is free for the event.

Events will start at approximately 11:00AM with a brief welcome and presentation by Dr. Bill Burnham, President of The Peregrine Fund. Birthday cake will be served. Other speakers are scheduled throughout the day and will discuss topics such as captive propagation of Peregrine Falcons and California Condors, reintroducing species back into their natural habitat, bird identification, Snake River Birds of Prey Area, Ecosystem Studies in Greenland, and other topics.

In addition, raffle tickets will be sold. First place is a Morton Solberg print of an American Kestrel, second place is a river trip for two with Steve Guinn, and third place is a signed copy of the book "Falcons of the World" by Dr. Tom Cade, Founder of The Peregrine Fund. Ticket are $1.00 each or 6 for $5.00.

"We are pleased to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of The Peregrine Fund with the Boise community," stated Bill Burnham, President of The Peregrine Fund. "The community has been very supportive of our work and we are pleased to have the opportunity to say thank you." continued Burnham. "Having our 25th Anniversary the same year as the Peregrine Falcon could potentially come off the Endangered Species List makes the day even more special.

The Peregrine Fund is a non-profit conservation organization founded in 1970 at Cornell University by then Professor of Ornithology Tom J. Cade. The organization was formed in response to the catastrophic decline of the Peregrine Falcon throughout much of North America. Through the release of more than 3,800 captive-bred Peregrines, this effort became one of the first truly successful attempts at reestablishing an endangered species. In June of 1995, the Secretary of the Interior, Bruce Babbitt, proposed to de-list the Peregrine Falcon from the Endangered Species List. Recovery of the Peregrine Falcon was one of the first nationwide recoveries of a species since the Endangered Species Act was signed into law.

In addition, The Peregrine Fund has cooperated in dozens of projects in over 35 countries on five continents. Peregrine Fund biologists have participated in restoration of the California Condor, Madagascar Fish Eagle, Orange-breasted Falcon, Mauritius Kestrel, Aplomado Falcon, Harpy Eagle, Bald Eagle (first releases), and several endangered Hawaiian forest birds. Overall the organization has captively hatched and reared over 4,000 individuals of 22 species of owls, hawks, eagles, and falcons; accomplished successful releases of nine species; and accomplished research on over 60 species, resulting in more than 150 scientific publications. We emphasize birds in our effort to conserve nature. 

Construction is underway on the Big Island of Hawai`i on a $2.5 million facility designed to recover endangered Hawaiian forest birds. When Captain Cook landed in Hawai`i, there were 140 endemic birds on the island. Half of these are gone and half of those that remain are critically endangered. Hawai`i has more endangered bird species than any other state.

International conservation is also a strong component of The Peregrine Fund's work. By conserving birds of prey, The Peregrine Fund works to maintain tropical forests and other environments. The Peregrine Fund educates students, trains conservationists, and assists with the development of local organizations. The Maya Project is a multi-year, community- level program underway in Guatemala, Mexico, and Belize. Similar projects were initiated in 1990 in Madagascar and the Philippines to assist in preserving some of the most critically endangered forests and species in the world. 

The Peregrine Fund's headquarters is the World Center for Birds of Prey located in Boise, Idaho. This 600-acre facility consists of an Interpretive Center, a California Condor Breeding Facility, a Tropical Raptor Building, an Administrative Building, and other buildings housing breeding pairs of endangered birds. In addition, research is being conducted on many aspects of raptor biology in cooperation with organizations and institutions throughout the world. Current research topics range from basic field studies to complex applied ecology, in addition to laboratory research on cryogenics, nutrition, and genetics.

For more information, contact:

Erin Katzner

Director of Global Engagement

Main Phone:208-362-3716

Direct Phone:208-362-8277