Wilson, WY– Flights and Feathers is a new raptor education program created in partnership between Teton Raptor Center and Jackson Hole Airport. Summer travelers will enjoy this unique raptor-themed experience of seeing live birds up-close as they arrive at the airport’s baggage area. This Teton Raptor Center education program will feature various owls, hawks, falcons, and eagles on Saturdays from 11:30am-1:30pm at Jackson Hole Airport.
As many as 13,000 people will have the opportunity to see live raptors upon arrival, as 8 planes typically land in Jackson between 11:30am-1:30pm during the summer months. This new educational partnership will allow Teton Raptor Center to capture visitors attention with live birds as soon as they arrive in the airport and help them create awareness off the wildlife found throughout the area.
“TRC staff and birds will showcase how special the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem is through the eyes of raptors,” said Airport Director Jim Elwood, “and no other airport in the world offers such unique and memorable experience for travelers … only in Jackson Hole! We are very excited to bring this program to JAC and hope that it will give airport users an introduction to wildlife safety and education while they are visiting this amazing ecosystem.”
“It is a wonderful opportunity to share these magnificent apex predators and instill upon visitors that this area is truly a special place. Flights and Feathers also allows Teton Raptor Center to expand our mission of raptor conservation through education, research and rehabilitation” said David Watson, TRC Development Director.
In addition, on Fridays between 7:00-9:00am, departing airport ticketed travelers will learn about a specific Teton Raptor Center avian ambassador once they pass through TSA Security and head for the departure lounge.
In 2018, Teton Raptor Center conducted 389 educational programs for over 31,000 participants, conducted 12 raptor-related research projects, cared for 127 injured, ill or orphaned raptors (21 species) at its rehabilitation clinic, and distributed over 3,000 Poo-Poo Screens to protect cavity-nesting birds.
For more information on the Flights and Feathers educational partnership contact Teton Raptor Center at 307.203.2551, raptors@tetonraptorcenter.org <mailto:raptors@
