The Audubon Center of the North Woods has been educating people with and about birds of prey since 1973.  Currently, the center is home to 6 birds of prey, a raven, and a variety of reptiles and amphibians including, frogs, toads, salamanders, snakes and turtles.  A heavy emphasis is placed on not keeping or taking healthy animals from the wild, the majority of the educational animal staff are non-releasable or captive bred.  All of the educational birds at the Audubon Center are permanently injured non-releasable.  We also believe in using native animals whenever possible to give students of all ages an up close educational experience with animals they are likely to see.  The Audubon Center holds all necessary state and federal permits to care for these animals.

In addition to the educational programs the Audubon Center provides, we are also a state and federal permitted wildlife rehabilitation facility.  The center provides initial treatment to injured animals and they are typically transferred to larger facilities. 

Currently the Audubon Center is home to six resident raptors including a: Bald Eagle, Red-tailed Hawk, American Kestrel, Eastern Screech Owl, Barred Owl and a Great Horned Owl.  If you don’t see a class that suits your needs please call to discuss your needs, we can design a class just for you.

Class Options:

Raptors Through Stories:  Suggested ages Preschool-2nd Grade 30 Minute program
Students will get their first experience with birds of prey by reading children’s books about birds of prey, then meeting 3 live raptors.  Students will have the opportunity to touch and feel wings and feet from real birds of prey.

Raptors:  Hunting from on High:  Suggested ages Kindergarten to 2nd Grade 1 hour program
In this active program students explore adaptations of birds of prey that leave us in awe.  Students will be up and moving and learning throughout the entire program.  Between activities students will meet 3 live raptors that will reinforce learned concepts.

Raptors By Family:  Suggested ages 3rd Grade to 9th Grade 1 hour program
All birds of prey have certain characteristics in common, but each group (falcons, owls, hawks and eagles) have adaptations that make them unique.  Students will explore these unique adaptations through games and by meeting 3 live raptors.

Silent Hunters:  Suggested ages 3rd Grade to Adult 1 hour program
From being symbols of wisdom, omens of death, and deliverers of mail, owls have long been the subject of many myths.  Students will explore all the adaptations of owls through games, while exposing myths and misconceptions and meeting 3 live owls.

Falconry…Of Raptors and Men:  Suggested ages 3rd Grade to Adult 1 hour program.
Students will explore history and learn how raptors have cooperatively hunted with people for the last 4,000 years.  By walking on our giant world map students will learn how falconry was used in different countries.  Students will meet 3 live raptors to discuss how their species has been used in falconry.

Endangered Raptors…Recovery Stories:  Suggested ages 4th Grade to Adult 1 hour program.  Limit of 40 students
What does it mean to go extinct?  Why do animals become endangered?  Students will examine several raptors that have faced extinction.  Through role playing, demonstrations, games, and meeting 2-3 live raptors students will learn what we do that causes problems for raptors and what can be done to help.

Tour of Minnesota Raptors:  Suggested ages 10th Grade to Adult 1 hour minimum
In this slideshow students will see every raptor that calls Minnesota home all or part of the year.  In this quick moving class, students will see pictures of the birds, learn their unique calls, and some unusual facts.

• Reptiles & Amphibians
• Aquatics
• Renewable Energy
• Naturalist-in-Residence

Program Fees

Contact Information

1st Program:  $100
2nd Program:  $80 (Following 1st)
Additional:  $80

Jeff Tyson, Wildlife Coordinator
Audubon Center of the North Woods
P.O. Box 530
Sandstone, MN 55072
320-245-2648
jtyson@audubon-center.org

Program Fees

Contact Information

1st Program:  $260
2nd Program:  $100 (Following 1st)
Additional:  $100
All Day Event:  $500
Mileage:  50.5 cents per mile for programs over 50 miles from ACNW

Jeff Tyson, Wildlife Coordinator
Audubon Center of the North Woods
P.O. Box 530
Sandstone, MN 55072
320-245-2648
jtyson@audubon-center.org

1. Volunteer!  We always have need for another volunteer.  Visit the volunteer page for a list of opportunities with wildlife
   
   
2. Adopt-A-Raptor.  Makes a great gift or school project plus your adoption helps care for the educational raptors
   
   
3. Notecards.  All of the Audubon Center educational raptors have been immortalized in beautiful hand drawn 3X5 notecards -- blank on the inside and on the back is their natural and personal history.  Packs of 6 notecards are $5.00, proceeds go to support the wildlife program.