Raptors Are The Solution Education Program at ORC
This program highlights the role of raptors in natural pest control and teaches about the dangers of pesticides. It promotes natural rodent control through exclusion methods—such as sealing entry points and eliminating attractants—alongside using raptors like Barn owl boxes and hawk perches. Tailored for either students or adults, the live presentation covers the history of DDT, its impact on raptor populations, bioaccumulation, and current California rodenticide laws. The program draws from a study ORC participated in, demonstrating the effectiveness of raptors in controlling rodent populations. It also provides a Q&A for addressing specific rodent control issues. Ideal for school-aged groups, this program can be part of a community service project, such as installing and monitoring nest boxes or canvassing local businesses to reduce bait box use. Our Barn owl ambassador, Willow, and one of our American Kestrel ambassadors are both featured in the presentation.
Optional Activities include:
Owl Pellet Dissection (additional 60 minutes)
Students will dissect sterilized owl pellets, using a bone sorting chart to identify and classify the remains of prey animals. This hands-on activity provides a unique opportunity to explore the diet and hunting habits of owls while learning about food chains and raptor ecology.
Spring Nest Walk* (additional 30 minutes)
Take a guided walk to observe native bird nests and learn about the different species nesting on our campus. This seasonal experience offers a close look at the diversity of nesting behaviors in the wild. (*Nest Walk only available April-June).
Can be presented in Spanish upon request.
