Wildlife Education

Environmental education is a vital component of our organization, as it fosters understanding and appreciation of our natural world. With the help of trained, non-releasable raptor ambassadors, along with biofacts and taxidermy specimens, we teach about raptor natural history, ecology, and conservation. Live animal ambassadors have a proven impact on audiences, creating memorable and engaging experiences that inspire lasting connections to wildlife. Tactile teaching aids such as biofacts further enhance learning by providing hands-on opportunities to explore and understand these magnificent creatures. A primary goal of ORC since its inception has been to provide comprehensive environmental education. Through our programs, we aim to inspire advocates and stewards for the environment we share with our wild neighbors.

We offer a variety of environmental educational programs for all ages:

Featured
Intro to Raptor Taxonomy: Families, Form and Flight
Intro to Raptor Taxonomy: Families, Form and Flight

This program introduces students of all ages to the fascinating world of raptor taxonomy by exploring the unique forms, flight styles, and family groupings of birds of prey. Through an engaging multimedia presentation and hands-on access to biofacts like taxidermy mounts, study skins, wings, and feet, students will gain a deeper understanding of the structural and behavioral traits that define the 25 raptor species found in Ventura County.

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Ojai Raptor Center + Ojai Valley Youth Foundation
Ojai Raptor Center + Ojai Valley Youth Foundation

This free after-school program offers students of the Ojai Valley in grades 7-12 a unique opportunity to explore raptor ecology, rehabilitation, and conservation through engaging, hands-on learning experiences. Led by experts from the Ojai Raptor Center and friends

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Traveling Talons Teacher’s Kit
Traveling Talons Teacher’s Kit

Our rentable Traveling Talons Teacher’s Kit allows teachers and educators to borrow ORC’s raptor specimens collection to use with our STEM+ NGSS-aligned lesson Flight Masters: The Science of Wings (3-6 classroom sessions) or lesson of your choice. Our goal with this kit is to provide unique, multi-sensory learning opportunities with the use of our federally protected taxidermy specimens, or bio facts, while helping teachers meet their curriculum goals.

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Raptors Are The Solution Education Program at ORC
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 —alongside using raptors like Barn owl boxes and hawk perches. Tailored for either students or adults, the program draws from a study ORC participated in, demonstrating the effectiveness of raptors in controlling rodent populations...

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Field Trips to ORC for School Aged Students
Field Trips to ORC for School Aged Students

This engaging one-hour program offers students a unique opportunity to explore raptor biology through both tactile examination and live demonstrations. At our biofacts table, students will handle feathers, feet, study skins and other specimens to understand key raptor adaptations, such as flight mechanics, hunting strategies, and sensory abilities.

Following this, they’ll witness those very adaptations in action as our non-releasable raptor ambassadors demonstrate natural behaviors in live presentations. The program covers important topics like raptor ecology, conservation, and the factors that lead to an animal’s non-releasability.

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Meet the Ambassadors at ORC Private & Public Programs
Meet the Ambassadors at ORC Private & Public Programs

During this one hour private experience at the Center in the beautiful valley of Ojai, guests will meet a few of the raptor ambassadors up close on the glove of their trainers, as well as in the Center’s presentation aviary. Guests will learn about each ambassador’s personal story, natural history and captivating facts about their species through live demonstrations of natural behaviors…

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Meet the Ambassadors Zoom Program
Meet the Ambassadors Zoom Program

Meet our non-releasable raptor ambassadors in a live Zoom to learn about their personal story, their species’ natural history, and have a Q & A with the ORC education team. This program can be booked to meet up to three ambassadors at once or individually...

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Traveling Talons Classroom Visit
Traveling Talons Classroom Visit

Have ORC visit your classroom or group for this 60 minute, NGSS aligned lesson that features bio facts, or taxidermy wings, talons, and other specimens, for a fascinating tactile opportunity in inquiry based learning…

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Raptors Are The Solution Zoom Program
Raptors Are The Solution Zoom Program

This program teaches about pesticides and natural rodent control using exclusion methods and raptors, with Barn owl boxes and hawk perches. This live Zoom presentation features ambassador Barn Owl Willow and is a great resource to help educate local community groups about the dangers of rodenticides and sustainable alternatives. This Zoom can also be a great introduction to a potential scout project…

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Ojai Raptor Center’s Education Programs are supported by

“Thank you! Your presentations fill the students with knowledge, wonder, curiosity and yes passion to do what they can to protect their local raptors”

— Fish & Wildlife Biologist, Outreach and Education Coordinator