Education

Hawks Aloft offers innovative education programs to meet the needs and interests of a variety of audiences. All Hawks Aloft education programs involve live raptors to enhance the learning experience. Specific programs have been developed for:

Students
Special interest groups
Corporations

Hawks Aloft educators have been delivering quality programs to students across New Mexico for over ten years. Hawks Aloft, through youth programs, adult educational programs and community outreach activities, reaches over 41,000 people of all ages every year.

Live Raptors as Educators

Great Horned Owl close-up, D. Powell

Our interactive programs feature live, non-releasable raptors who bring to life a range of educational topics. Programs provide close-up views of some of New Mexico’s most spectacular owls, hawks, and falcons. Education raptors have an uncanny ability to provide a memorable educational experience and to inspire people of all ages -from school-children to electrical company linemen – to make positive environmental choices. We see the sense of wonder as our avian ambassadors highlight the critical importance of environmental conservation.

Our Programs

Youth Programs

Children observe perched falcons

Hawks Aloft youth programs work to deliver engaging life science and conservation education to K-12 students throughout New Mexico and surrounding communities. During the school year, our schedule fills up rapidly, and we recommend scheduling as early as possible. Single visit programs should be scheduled at least three weeks in advance.

Living with the Landscape Program: a grant-funded program for 4th-6th grade classrooms includes two field trips, three classroom sessions and a hands-on conservation project.
Birds of Prey Program: a flexible 1-1.5 hour single-visit hands-on program tailored to the needs of each classroom.
Reading with Raptors: single-visit program for preschool through first grade students features live raptors, games and interactive book reading with hand puppets.

Adult Programs

2011 Festival of the Cranes outreach event

By conducting education programs and public outreach, Hawks Aloft is working to improve quality of life in New Mexico by better informing the public and conserving New Mexico’s unique natural heritage.

Citizen Science: HOOT Project: Hawk and Owl Observation Tracking
Adult education programs: programs on a wide range of topics by expert speakers for adult or mixed groups featuring live raptors
Corporate programs: such as Compliance with Federal Laws and Avian Biology, Conservation, and Your Company

Community Outreach

Community outreach activities improve the public’s appreciation for birds of prey, wildlife, and awareness of environmental issues within the community. Such programs encourage people to make positive environmental choices and conserve New Mexico’s unique natural heritage.

Participation in Community Events: Educational booths featuring live raptors and educational materials. Tailored to specific event requirements and featuring a minimum of two live raptors at each event.
Outreach for Company Events: Educational programs for staff and their families, Outreach booths for corporate events.
Group Presentations: Seminars and slide shows offer tailored education for special interest groups such as Boy Scouts, retirement communities, and conservation or civic organizations.

Interested in Finding Out More?

If you are interested in any of the programs described here, or have questions about the presentations, please contact us: education@hawksaloft.org or (505) 828-9455.