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Raptors coming to DePauw Nature Park
GREENCASTLE -- Birds classified as raptors have long fascinated man. The Putnam County community will have an opportunity to meet some of these birds of prey on April 10 at the DePauw Nature Park when Mark Booth with Take Flight presents a program at 1 p.m.
Sponsored by DePauw University, the presentation will take place in the amphitheater at the Nature Park and run from 1 to 2:30 p.m.
"Everyone will walk away from this with a much greater appreciation for the raptors and their importance to the environment," said Doug Cox, director of safety for the university.
Take Flight uses live animals, natural artifacts and theatrical techniques to help bring the wonders of nature to life.
Booth has over 20 years experience working with raptors. He is licensed to rescue large birds of prey and to introduce them in educational programs.
"I've been interested in them since I was very young," said Booth. "The idea of this presentation is to get people excited about nature and for them to learn about eco-systems."
Booth will talk about animals and how they adapt to their environment and how they survive in the wilderness.
"People will have a very vivid idea of the food chain with these predators," added Booth. "They will also have a much better understanding of why they are built the way they are."
Cox says the program is great for people of all ages and encourages boy and girl scouts to attend the event.
"This is part of the university's outreach to the community. We want people to spend time in the Nature Park and take advantage of any of the programs presented," said Cox.
There is limited seating at the park and people are encouraged to bring chairs and blankets for the presentation. The program will take place unless there is significant rain or severe weather. If that happens, it will be rescheduled.
The Nature Park is located just outside Greencastle on West Walnut Street. There are directions to the amphitheater inside the park.
The Nature Park is a 520-acre park that includes seven trails, a campground, canoe launch, outdoor amphitheater, research areas, a welcome center and environmental field station. It is open to the public.
Trails include woodland, quarry bottom and creekside paths as well as lanes on the rim of the quarry and along old railroad lines. Trails also lead from the DePauw campus to the park.
For information about DePauw University's Nature Park, visit www.depauw.edu/univ/naturepark. You can reach Cox at 658-5018 or email at dougcox@depauw.edu.
For more information about the Take Flight program, visit www.takeflight.org or email info@takeflight.org. You can also call 317-216-9875.