Hawk Mountain Sanctuary: More than 75 years of raptor conservation, 1934-2010
The mission of Hawk Mountain Sanctuary is to conserve birds of prey worldwide by being the leader in raptor conservation science and education, and by operating Hawk Mountain Sanctuary as a model observation, research and education facility.
Pioneer conservationist Rosalie Edge founded Hawk Mountain Sanctuary in 1934 to stop the shooting of hawks migrating along an Appalachian ridge in east central Pennsylvania. When Mrs. Edge turned this shooting stand into a sanctuary, she created the world’s first refuge for birds of prey.
Hawk Mountain quickly became known as a place to experience the spectacle of raptor migration and its founders and following helped lead the movement to change negative attitudes toward birds of prey.
Hawk Mountain Sanctuary Association–a non-profit, 501(c)3 organization–operates Hawk Mountain Sanctuary, the 2,600-acre wildlife sanctuary with 8 miles of hiking trails, more than half a dozen scenic overlooks and a Visitor Center. The Sanctuary is open to visitors year-round, and a modest trail fee or annual membership dues in turn support the Association’s raptor conservation work. The Sanctuary is a model of how nature-tourism can successful fund conservation.
Conservation Science at Hawk Mountain
Hawk Mountain Sanctuary Association also operates the Acopian Center for Conservation Learning, a three-building research and training facility that houses conservation science staff and is headquarters for an acclaimed Conservation Internship Program. The building is named in honor of its benefactor, Sarkis and Bobbye Acopian and the Acopian family.
Contacting Hawk Mountain ‘s Visitor Center, Education, Volunteer and Management:
Hawk Mountain Sanctuary
1700 Hawk Mountain Road, Kempton, PA 19529
www.hawkmountain.org
610-756-6961 or info@hawkmountain.org
Contacting Hawk Mountain’s Acopian Center and Conservation Science Staff:
Acopian Center for Conservation Learning
410 Summer Valley Road, Orwigsburg, PA 17961
570-943-3411
To learn more about the vulture study or to support this work:
Keith Bildstein, Ph.D., Sarkis Acopian Director of Conservation Science
570-943-3411 x108 or bildstein@hawkmtn.org
To join as a member or support Hawk Mountain Sanctuary’s general operations:
Celeste Voyer, Director of Development and Communications
610-756-6961 or voyer@hawkmountain.org
Join online at: https://hawkmountain.secureweb1.org/index.php#donate_form
Links to Learn More About Hawk Mountain:
US House of Representatives honors Hawk Mountain (video link)
Migrating Raptors Take Flight at Hawk Mountain (link to Associated Press article by Michael Rubinkam)
The Bird Watcher: Hallowed ground for hawks and their followers (link to Jersey Record article by Jim Wright)
Take a virtual tour (360-degree tours on the Hawk Mountain website)
Another virtual tour (360-degree view from South Lookout, courtesy Harry Fisher, The Morning Call)
Hawk Mountain: Still Flying High (video link, Harry Fisher, The Morning Call)
Hawk Mountain: the world’s first raptor sanctuary (Coffee table book by Jim Wright and photographer Kevin Watson)
Rosalie Edge: Hawk of Mercy (Link to Rosalie Edge biographer Dyana Furmansky’s site)
