The Mississippi Hills Master Naturalists are hosting an Eagle Day in Hannibal. Thanks to the Riedel Foundation grant, the World Bird Sanctuary will put on Raptor shows at 10:30am, 11:30am, 1pm and 2pm. There will be eagle viewing at the Rotary Pavilion in Nipper Park. The events are co-sponsored by Hannibal Parks and Recreation.
Theresa Casey, President of Mississippi Hills Master Naturalists, said “In providing a fun, family event such as this, we will be acting on our mission of engaging Missourians in the stewardship of our state’s natural resources through education and improved understanding of our natural resources. Last year the first Eagle Day in Hannibal brought in more than 650 participants. Casey said that the story of the bald eagle needs to be told. “Providing information to area residents about the Bald Eagle’s spectacular comeback in population and the reasons for their decline will illustrate how the conservation efforts of many agencies, and how citizen awareness, can make an impact not only with Eagles but for other species and their environment.”
The free program at the Admiral Coontz Recreation Center will include:
- Live raptor/eagle presentations throughout the day by World Bird Sanctuary of St. Louis to enable visitors to see raptors up close
- Educational displays on eagles in which chapter member will discuss eagle adaptations and eagle rehabilitation
- Eagle crafts for participants to color an eagle mask and create an Eagle Day postcard with nature stamps
- Nature games such as Eagle/nature quizzes, Land the Eagle in the Nest (cornhole) and a Raptor/Eagle matching game
- A human-constructed eagle nest for viewing to simulate the nest size of these great birds
- An area for story time with Hannibal Public Library employees reading eagle and other nature books
- Mississippi Hills Chapter of Master Naturalist Book Club table with suggested readings about Heroes of Conservation
- Booths with information about Sodalis Nature Preserve, Missouri Department of Conservation Stream Team, Hannibal Tree Board and Missouri Bluebird Society
- Nature artists with their artwork displayed and available for purchase
- A nature art contest for area elementary artists and artwork displayed at the event
There will also be viewing scopes provided by the Missouri Department of Conservation at the riverfront near the Rotary Pavilion for eagle viewing.
