Green Chimneys in Brewster opened its barn doors and raised the tents to welcome more than 100 raptors and hundreds of humans to meet each other under sunny, blue skies for their 16th Annual With Wings and a Prayer day. From 11:00am to 4:00pm young and old alike enjoyed a fun and educational day. The kids enjoyed pony rides, hayrides, a climbing tower, a large bouncy castle, an obstacle course, create sand art, and ride in the firetruck “bucket”. Susan Foster was on hand sharing her knowledge in the Children’s Wildlife Program, and Master Falconer James Eyring demonstrated free-flying raptors along with his dachshunds.
Amber shows off her three-year-old red tailed hawk named Bow. Amber’s whole family is involved in falconing. She was very friendly, knowledgeable and passionate about her hawk. Her father captured Bow in January of 2006 and she was expecting to release her back into the wild soon. All Falconer’s must be licensed and according to Amber, “the only way to own a hawk is to capture one”. She went on to say that hawks only live about seven years in the wild but can live up to twenty years under human care. We also learned that 70% to 80% of new birds don’t make it in the wild due to numerous circumstances.
Tom was also very open and friendly with the crowds. He answered all questions that came his way about birds of prey and his red-tailed hawk, Zimmer2.
Founded in 1947, Green Chimneys is a multi-dimensional service organization that serves the needs of thousands of children, young adults and families with services in education, mental health, housing, recreation, vocational training and nature-based programs. Green Chimneys is world renowned for its animal-assisted therapy program. It also operates an accredited special education school, a residential treatment center for children, a farm and wildlife rehabilitation center, an organic farm and horticulture program. The community based services include a runaway shelter and community outreach center, Nature’s Nursery and Hillside Summer Camp, group homes, Good Friend mentoring program for youth, and a variety of other programs. Each year, Green Chimneys serves more than 3,500 children and their families.
Green Chimneys Farm and Wildlife Center is open to the public on Saturdays and Sundays from 10:00am to 3:00pm. You can book a Farm-on-the-Moo-ve or a pool or farm birthday party. Green Chimneys also offers a community nursery school, an American Red Cross Learn to Swim program, and more.
For more information visit www.greenchimneys.org
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