To compliment the educational role of Eagle Heights it is important that the visitor enjoys their time at the Centre. The concept of a "fun day out for all the family" is essential when delivering educational information so as to maintain the visitors interest, especially where the next generation are concerned. Other recreational aspects of Eagle Heights are the hands on experience days. Here the visitor is able to get close to animals they would normally never meet and are able to gain a greater understanding of them and their way of life.

We offer a variety of options for schools to get involved and see these animals up close, if you are a teacher or are associated with any young persons organisation download our Schools Brochure. Please call 01322 866577 to book for Key Stage 1, 2, 3 &4 or request our school brochure. We can supply references if required.

'Dear Birdman, Thank you so much for coming to our school the other day! (Our school is Cottesmore School in West Sussex!) We all liked the birds and it was really fun. We learnt a lot and we hope we can see you again.

'Dear Birdman, We would like to say a huge thank you for visiting our school today. The children were enthralled with the flying presentation and it will last a life time in their memories. Where else could they share PE mats with a Bald Eagle! It was to your credit that they all sat still for so long!!! Your talks were at the right level for the children and we would not hesitate in recommending you to any other school. We would be delighted to talk to teachers who may be wondering about the educational value of a visit from Eagle Heights. Please feel free to give out our phone number to anyone who may wish to discuss your visit. Holly Spring Infant School.

 

The following text was written by Eagle Heights Director, Alan Ames: -

These two issues [ conservation / education ] are so closely interwoven that they are covered under the same heading. "Conservation through Education" is probably the most important statement that has ever been made about conservation.The future of much of the world's wildlife, especially in the "developing" world, is in the hands of the West. Acting as a platform for generating awareness through education about environmental issues, countries like the UK can bring pressure to bear through public opinion and environmentally sound behavior to help prevent ecological disasters.

Hopefully others will learn from our mistakes. The key issue that is conveniently ignored by economists, politicians and corporations, is the way the planet functions as a living organism. Every living organism, with the exception of man, is governed by the way it hasevolved within its own particular Ecosystem and the environmental pressures that are exerted upon it. Man has developed the ability to operate outside the parameters set down by nature with disastrous consequences for virtually every insect, fish, bird and mammal on the planet.

If man refuses to be policed by nature it must police itself.

Most of the occupants of many developing countries are totally unaware that their population is due to double over the next 50 years. This will be accelerated when a cure for HIV, Malaria etc., are finally discovered. The consequence of this, unless help, instead of the present exploitation, is forthcoming, would be an environmental catastrophe.

Also, the struggle for human survival is so harsh in these countries that most would neither know nor care if half their wild species became extinct overnight. To many there are only three types of animal, ones that are worth money, ones you can eat and ones that can kill you. To the rest they are indifferent.

One way in which Eagle Heights can educate and inspire the visitor, is through demonstrating as near natural behavior as possible with the live exhibits and drawing the attention of the visitor to the above problems. The daily demonstrations and the associated information are structured to be as educational as possible. Apart from the general ecology of the species and the related conservation statistics, more specific subjects such as adaptation, senses, longevity and population dynamics are covered in greater detail.

Other ways of educating the visitor is through the information boards throughout the centre and on the animal enclosures. Direct communication between the staff / volunteers and the general public plays a vital role in helping the visitor understand more clearly the ethos of Eagle Heights and what it is attempting to achieve.

By visiting schools and inspiring children with live animals and the environmental problems they face due to ourselves, we are hopefully able to sow the seeds in the hope that they grow into ecologically responsible adults. The ecological problems that face an Eagle are no different to the ones we face ourselves.

Eagle Heights, when practical, will also undertake, in house, achievable, local conservation projects. An example of which was our first, The North Downs Buzzards Project. With the financial help of the public, Common Buzzards have been successfully reintroduced onto the North Downs surrounding the Centre. The most gratifying aspect of this Project is that in 1999, these now wild Common Buzzards successfully raised three young just 10 miles away from Eagle Heights. In the near future, it is the intention for Eagle Heights to adopt Agenda 21 and to generate some of its energy requirements from sustainable sources. Long term, Eagle Heights will become involved in conservation and education on a greater level.

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