Educating the public is critical to preserving both a species and the habitat in which that species dwells. It is not enough to repair damaged birds and send them back out into the world; we must ensure that there is a healthy environment to which they can return. Although GEF's main drive is towards restoring the health of our patients, we make a great effort towards spending time in the local schools promoting awareness of environmental issues as well as a love of the outdoors and all that goes with it.

We are currently involved in a year-long program with two sophomore biology classes at Seeley-Swan High School. Students have taken several trips to Roger's Pass to work on a banding project with Rob Domenech (Raptor View Research Institute), have spent a morning spotting snowy owls in the Mission Valley with Denver Holt (Owl Research Institute, Inc), and took time to visit GEF to learn the ins-and-outs of raptor rehabilitation. Groups of six students are working as a team on field projects that range from determining whether footpad size is an accurate way to identify the gender of golden eagles to what kind of affect roadkilled animals are having on bald eagles. Each group was required to develop objectives, methods, and data sheets, then execute their plan and begin collecting and analyzing the samples needed to meet their goals.

Additionally, each student has their own personal research topic to look into, such as what impact wind farms and wind energy may be having on migrating raptors. The project has done more than just teach 15 year olds how to identify a red-tailed hawk. It has given the students a passion for science, whether the lesson is on raptors, biomes, or cellular molecular biology.

We also teach three classes at Swan Valley Elementary School. The 2nd, 3rd , and 4th grade class is focused on birds in general, but related topics include fossils, the water cycle, and habitat lessons. Students are learning that all things are connected in the world of wildlife and we are all responsible for taking care of what we've been given. We're trying to show them that their voice can make a big difference in the world, if only they're willing to step forward and put their ideas into action. The kindergarten and 1 st grade class is a little more laid back. We spend most of our time on short, fun projects that get the kids interested in looking for birds out their kitchen window and following deer tracks through the snow. Lessons tend to be geared toward just having fun with wildlife, learning to observe and finding new and exciting things in the world.

The most important part of teaching is introducing students to the world around them and helping them to become excited about learning. We want them to see that science is not just a subject standing alone, but one that incorporates a multitude of other fields: math, art, music, English, even history. We want to instill a sense of excitement and curiosity in these students, for they are the future and they are the ones who will ensure that our eagles have clean water in which to fish and clean air in which to soar.