FORT BENNING, Ga., (Nov. 19, 2014) -- The Oxbow Meadows Environmental Learning Center at Columbus State University will host the EarthQuest's Birds of Prey program at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Nov. 22.
The program is open to the public and admission is $5. Janet Forrest Kent, assistant director at Oxbow, said all proceeds from the event go toward supporting the animals of Oxbow.
Guests can expect to see the flight of a falcon, a hawk soaring over the crowd and an owl gliding through the air.
"There will be a variety of different birds, but also this is not the kind of program where (the host) just holds their arm out, the birds are actually flying over your head," Kent said. "There is a lot more to see; it's very action-packed."
Master falconer Steve Hoddy will command the birds involved in the Birds of Prey program.
Hoddy, founder of EarthQuest, has been a wildlife educator and animal trainer for more than 30 years, according to the EarthQuest website. His experience includes having worked as a field researcher for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in the study of peregrine falcons. According to the website, he also found one of the last known California condor nests in the wild. His position as master falconer is reportedly the highest position that can be achieved in his field.
Hoddy will provide information on the birds and their environment, as well as information on how participants can responsibly react with nature.
EarthQuest is a non-profit environmental education organization, dedicated to the educating the public of their impact on the natural world, according to their website. It began in 1989 as an idea to educate the general public about wildlife through presentation of live animals in an entertaining format.
Kent said Oxbow Meadows linked up with EarthQuest more than a year ago and now has a contract with EarthQuest to take care of Oxbow Meadows' venomous snakes.
Oxbow Meadows opened in 1995 as a collaboration among Columbus State University, Columbus Water Works and the City of Columbus, according to its website. The center provides exhibits, displays, nature trails and educational programs about ecology and natural history of the region.
Kent said the Oxbow Meadows Environmental Learning Center used to have birds several years ago, but they haven't gotten the birds back.
"For the people that used to love the birds, this is a great time for them to come back and see some out here at Oxbow," Kent said.
For information or to purchase tickets, visit the Oxbow Meadows Environmental Learning Center at 3535 South Lumpkin Road, Columbus or email Jan Kent, assistant director of Oxbow Meadows, at forrestkent_janet@columbusstate.edu.
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