Second Chance to Soar: The Story of the Bald Eagle
Get an up-close look at live birds of prey at Meadowcroft!
Join the Avian Conservation Center of Appalachia (ACCA) for a special presentation at Meadowcroft featuring live birds of prey and the remarkable story of America’s national bird, the bald eagle.
As the nation continues to commemorate its 250th anniversary, discover how the bald eagle became an enduring symbol of American freedom. ACCA experts Katie and Jesse Fallon will explore the bird’s natural history, its dramatic decline and recovery through conservation efforts, and the threats bald eagles continue to face today.
Hear the extraordinary story of Hutch, a wild eaglet rescued last spring after swallowing a fishhook and learn how the ACCA helped him recover through surgery and rehabilitation.
Don’t miss this special opportunity to see live birds of prey and discover the fascinating world of raptor conservation!
About The Speakers
Katie Fallon is an educator, writer, and certified professional bird trainer. She writes the column “Wingbeats” for Bird Watcher’s Digest and is the author of the nonfiction books “Vulture” (2020, 2017) and “Cerulean Blues” (2011), and two books for children. She has taught writing at West Virginia University (WVU) and Virginia Tech and is also the manager of the Cheat Lake Farmers Market.
Since the mid-1990s, Fallon has trained a wide variety of raptors, parrots, and corvids. She holds a master’s degree in writing from WVU and a bachelor’s degree from Penn State. Her first word was “bird.”
Jesse Fallon is one of the owners of Cheat Lake Animal Hospital in Morgantown, West Virginia, as well as past Conservation Chair and current West Virginia State Liaison for the Association of Avian Veterinarians.
He received a PhD in Fish & Wildlife Conservation at Virginia Tech; his research focused on ecotoxicology. Jesse has provided veterinary care for hundreds of species of birds at zoos and wildlife centers as well as for private enthusiasts and falconers.