Situated on 152 acres in Awendaw, The Center for Birds of Prey offers visitors rare, up-close-and-personal experiences with native species of hawks, falcons, eagles, kites, vultures, and owls. From raptor demonstrations to night walks in the Countess Alicia Paolozzi Owl Wood, the Center’s unique educational programs draw thousands each year.
But these aren’t the only benefits the Center offers. Through the Avian Conservation Center and its onsite medical clinic, hundreds of injured and orphaned birds receive expert care. Volunteer staff members contribute more than 13,000 hours a year alongside a team of veterinarians to ensure that these creatures continue to populate the Lowcountry. “The Center has evolved into a multi-disciplinary resource,” says executive director James D. Elliott Jr. While the birds rely on the Center, the nonprofit relies solely on admission fees, memberships, grants, and contributions to continue its work providing not only medical care, but also a place where the public can interact with the wild. www.thecenterforbirdsofprey.org