Loudoun Valley Raptor Center

Overview

The Loudoun Valley Raptor Center is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing the conservation and protection of birds of prey through rehabilitation, education, and research. The center aims to release native raptors back to their natural habitats, ensuring they are healthy and thriving.

History

The initiative began in 2015 in Severna Park, Maryland, inspired by local ospreys who had been displaced by construction. Founders Mark and Heather Jeweler initially intervened to install an osprey stand at a local high school, complete with a live streaming camera. This project's success led them to pursue a more hands-on approach to helping birds of prey. They volunteered at rehabilitation centers and eventually formed the nonprofit raptor-exclusive rehabilitation center in 2017.

However, due to zoning and permit challenges in Maryland, they relocated to rural Loudoun County, Virginia, where they found more supportive regulations and sufficient property to establish their center.

Mission and Values

The mission of the Loudoun Valley Raptor Center is to enhance raptor conservation through direct care, education, and collaborative research. Core values include employing best practices in care, increasing public awareness of raptors and their environments, releasing healthy birds back to the wild, and fostering community relationships that support their mission.

Activities

The center provides a rehabilitation facility where birds of prey receive the necessary care to return to the wild. It also engages in community outreach and educational programs to promote understanding and appreciation of these birds. The organization collaborates with fellow rehabilitators and medical practitioners to advance the field of raptor rehabilitation.

Conservation Impact

As part of its efforts, the Loudoun Valley Raptor Center contributes significantly to maintaining healthy ecosystems by ensuring the survival and well-being of local raptor populations. This role is crucial in preserving biodiversity and fostering ecological balance in the region.

[1] https://loudounvalleyraptors.org/about-us/our-story/ [2] https://loudounwildlife.org/2015/04/loudoun-wildlife-conservancy-20-years-of-protecting-preserving-and-creating-healthy-wildlife-habitats/ [3] https://loudounvalleyraptors.org/about-us/mission/ [4] https://loudounwildlife.org/2023/09/two-raptor-programs/ [5] https://www.givechoose.org/page=page=page=page=nonprofits/LoudounValleyRaptorCenterInc