This year marks the 25th anniversary of The Peregrine Fund's World Center for Birds of Prey in the Treasure Valley. Since 1984, the World Center for Birds of Prey has contributed to the recovery of endangered raptors around the world and informed thousands of visitors about the essential niche that birds of prey fill in nature. 

A public anniversary celebration will be held 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Saturday, June 20, featuring films, family games, live bird demonstrations and highlights of the organization's achievements. 

Admission will be discounted for the event: 25 cents for kids with a state quarter featuring the Peregrine Falcon; all others, $2.50.

Founded in 1970, The Peregrine Fund consolidated its eastern operation (at Cornell University, Ithaca, N.Y.) and western operation (at Ft. Collins, Colorado) in Boise after the U.S. Bureau of Land Management, City of Boise, and North American falconers provided property for the World Center for Birds of Prey at the end of South Cole Road. The hilltop is headquarters for the worldwide conservation organization, which has worked on behalf of 87 raptor species in 61 countries.

"We are proud of our success and grateful to all those who have made us feel so welcome in the Treasure Valley for all these years," said J. Peter Jenny, president and CEO of The Peregrine Fund. He will speak at the celebration at 1 p.m.

Future plans at the World Center for Birds of Prey include a new open green space with room for an outdoor exhibit for a pair of California Condors, additional flight demonstrations, outdoor classroom and new exhibits. 

"As we look ahead to the next 25 years, we see an increasing need to tell our story that extinction is not inevitable and that human persecution of birds of prey can be overcome with education and research," Jenny said. "We are a key player in raptor and biodiversity conservation around the world, from Panama to Madagascar, and we plan to continue for decades to come."

The World Center for Birds of Prey draws more than 30,000 visitors each year from all over the world to the Velma Morrison Interpretive Center and Archives of Falconry. In the spring, thousands of schoolchildren from throughout Southwest Idaho tour the facility for a fun interactive science lesson and a chance to see raptors eye-to-eye.

For more information, contact:

Erin Katzner

Director of Global Engagement

Main Phone:208-362-3716

Direct Phone:208-362-8277