The Bird Rescue Center

Geographic areas served: Sonoma County / North San Francisco Bay Area

Programs: Program areas of The Bird Rescue Center are focused around two primary efforts. The Rehabilitation Program includes all activities relating to the rescue and treatment of birds that are injured, orphaned or sick. These activities include the housing and training of a small number of non-releasable birds that become part of our educational programs. Our programs are primarily supported by donations and individual memberships. To learn more about how these programs operate in detail see our volunteer section. Through our Education and Community Outreach Program we interact with children and adults, providing vital information about local ecology, the significance of human impact on the environment and the birds that share it. Our “educational ambassadors,” those hawks, owls, and vultures with permanent disabilities that make them non-releasable often accompany us. They work now to help their wild cousins by educating people about native bird species, their adaptations and their natural history. They can inspire people to live more willingly with their wild neighbors so abundant in Sonoma County. Presentations for School Groups — We encourage school groups to consider a field trip to the Center where we will introduce them to all 20 resident raptor ambassadors in our outdoor classroom. They will also tour the Martha Bentley Educational Room with its many displays of feathers, eggs and nests. Alternatively, we can travel to the schools with one or two of the ambassadors and their handlers to present a brief program on the importance of these beautiful animals to our environment. Through increased awareness we hope to foster respect for our rich natural heritage. Public Lectures — From time to time The Bird Rescue Center sponsors lectures on ornithological topics. For example, in our lecture series Natural History of Raptors and Husbandry Techniques is presented as part of our raptor handling training and is also open to the public. The Bird Rescue Center is partly funded by donations and fees charged for educational programs. Fees from school and public presentations help offset the cost of caring for these resident birds, as well as our rehabilitation programs. We ask for a donation of $100 for a group of any size making a field trip to the Center. If we travel with the ambassadors to the school or organization, the suggested donation is $100 for each bird with the teachers or leaders deciding how many birds they would like us to introduce. Teachers and community groups are invited to contact us for details or to arrange a presentation for your group. Community Events — Throughout the year look for Bird Rescue Center volunteers and our 'Educational Ambassadors' at many local events from farmers markets throughout the county to the annual Sonoma County Fair and Sonoma County Regional Parks’ Fall Festival at Tolay Lake. For more information on upcoming events visit our website at http://birdrescuecenter.org or contact us at the Center, 707 523-2473 [BIRD].