The Peregrine Fund's World Center for Birds of Prey is having an Open House at the Velma Morrison Interpretive Center on Saturday, 4 December 1999 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Admission will be free and holiday bazaar items made by the Center's volunteers will be offered for sale. The Center is located at the end of South Cole Road, approximately six miles from the Cole/Overland intersection.

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 over 33,000 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 Short-eared Owl, and Harpy Eagles. The Center is also the only place where visitors may see California Condors in captivity. 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.

All visitors will initiate and complete their tours of the Velma Morrison Interpretive Center in the Central Room. This open-aired room with high wooden beamed ceilings, a life-sized eagle sculpture, and unique wildlife art make the Central Room the core and focal point of the facility. From here visitors proceed to one of the three distinct areas of the building. Experienced volunteer docents will be 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.

For more information, contact:

Erin Katzner

Director of Global Engagement

Main Phone:208-362-3716

Direct Phone:208-362-8277