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SKAGIT RIVER BALD EAGLE
INTERPRETIVE CENTER
10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (360)-853-7626
Open 10 A.M. to 4 P.M. December 26 through December 31
Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays
Friday, Dec. 8 through Sunday, Feb.18
LOCATION: One block south of HWY 20, in the Rockport Fire Hall, in the same place as last year. Follow the signs in Rockport from Highway 20 and Highway 530. For a map of the Rockport to Marblemount area see the map in the driving directions link.
IC Staff:
Christie Fairchild, Marieke Slovin, and Jim Alt |
sponsor of the
Interpretive Center,
and for their support of SRBEAT. |
Coordinator Christie Fairchild and Jim Alt welcome visitors to the Interpretive Center. |
Jim Alt of the Northwest Interpretive Association greets visitors at the door. |
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INTERPRETIVE PROGRAMS
Interpretive Programs: Guest Speakers , Guided Walks, Group Education Programs
The Mission of the Skagit River Bald Eagle Interpretive Center is to increase knowledge of, appreciation for, and stewardship of the Skagit River Watershed.
The eleventh season begins Friday, Dec. 8. The Center provides guided walks, slideshows, and guest speaker presentations on the weekends with education programs for school and community groups on Fridays. Knowledgeable staff and volunteers also share local and up-to-date information about eagle viewing and the area.
The Interpretive Center is funded by donations, grants, and proceeds from the year-round efforts of the Skagit River Bald Eagle Awareness Team. We work in partnership with the North Cascades Institute's Eagle Watcher program to encourage visitors to view eagles from designated Eagle Watching areas where their viewing experience can be maximized, and their impact on feeding eagles, salmon, the river, traffic, and local landowners can be minimized. |
| The Center features eagle photographs by noted nature photographer Lee Mann, displays about wildlife, special children's activities, Northwest Interpretive Association books, souvenirs, shirts, gifts and informational materials. |
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Books and Souvenir items for sale. Profits help the Interpretive Center. |
| Spotting Scopes Ready for Eagle-Eyed Viewers Like You! |
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Guest Speaker Presentations
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Guest speakers present slide shows or talks about the river, local history, geology, eagles, or salmon every Saturday and Sunday at 11 AM. The most popular program is the presentation by Sardis Raptor Center – a wildlife rehabilitation organization http://www.sardisraptor.org. They discuss what makes these birds unique and share their personal stories of living and growing with these wonderful creatures. These birds are all glove trained, habituated, and non-releasable due to injuries. For Sardis presentations, we suggest a donation of $2 per person or $5 per family (any donation is greatly appreciated). To see the full schedule for Guest Speaker presentations click here.
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Laura Clemmer of Puget Sound Energy talks to visitors after a slideshow. |
| Christie Fairchild, Education Coordinator for the Interpretive Center, helps answer questions after a talk by Melanie Graham (in background). |
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Christie gives an introduction before the Sarvey presentation on 1-7-06 |
Guided Walks
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Led by volunteers, this two mile (1 hour, 30 minutes) walk along the Skagit River through Howard Miller Steelhead Park ends at a riverbank view of the confluence of the Sauk and Skagit Rivers, an excellent spot to look for eagles. The theme of the walk focuses on the interaction between the salmon and bald eagle life-cycles in the Skagit River Watershed. The walk is fairly easy and level, however be prepared for cold and wet weather. Wear sturdy walking shoes, and warm, waterproof clothing. Cameras and binoculars are recommended.
Guided walks meet in the Interpretive Center and leave at 1:30 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. There are no charges for guided walks. Donations are accepted at the Interpretive Center.
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| Watching eagles amidst beautiful scenery while on a Guided Walk. |
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| For people who want to do this walk on their own, maps are available at the Interpretive Center. Directions are also available for additional winter walks in the area that can be self- guided. These include Rockport State Park, Pressentine County Park in Marblemount and the Boat Launch in Marblemount. |
Education Programs
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Interpretive Center staff lead special programs for school, senior, and other community groups that include slide shows on eagles and salmon, guided walks, educational games, and special highway tours of eagle watching sites and the Marblemount Fish Hatchery. If you are interested in scheduling a program for your group, contact the Interpretive Center after November 1st, space is limited. School groups are encouraged to come on Fridays. Other groups can come on Fridays, as well. If you will call several weeks in advance we will best be able to schedule and construct a program to meet your needs. |
| A school group playing Hooks and Ladders, a game which teaches the life cycle of salmon and the hazards they encounter in the Skagit River. |
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When you visit, be prepared for all the moods of the winter weather. The highest weekly eagle count for the 2004 season (in January), was made on a rainy, overcast day. Our highways seldom have snow and the mountains often do. The scenery is worth the trip. We welcome all visitors who want to learn more about eagles, wildlife, and the Skagit River system.
Your donations are welcome. The Skagit River Bald Eagle Interpretive Center is a project of the non-profit Skagit River Bald Eagle Awareness Team. We rely on grants and donations to support our education efforts in the Upper Skagit Valley.
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Visitors since 12/1/2005: |
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