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Abstract
A panel of four experts in the fields of environmental education, rehabilitation and research assembled for a 1-3/4 hour workshop chaired by a moderator. Each panelist reflected upon their experiences using live owls in their own environmental education and/or research programs. Permanently disabled or imprinted owls can live long, useful lives as ambassadors from the world of wildlife. Given proper handling, training and care, these owls provide a compelling connection to the natural world for both children and adults. Likewise, an up-close and personal encounter with a wild owl can open minds of any age to the broader issues of conservation. Discussion of the agenda topics among the panelists, moderator and 74 workshop attendees was lively and stimulating. Attendees commented and asked questions. Discussion topics included program descriptions, teaching and handling techniques, ethics, cosmetics of non-releaseable owls, communication between educators and researchers, the virtues of owl pellets as teaching tools and issues regarding their sources, travel techniques, and use of the Internet among educators, students and researchers. A live Great Horned Owl (
Bubo virginianus) was present to help illustrate topics discussed during the workshop.
Parent Publication
Citation
Wilson, Marcia J. 1997. "Mission possible: owls in education". In: Duncan, James R.; Johnson, David H.; Nicholls, Thomas H., eds. Biology and conservation of owls of the Northern Hemisphere: 2nd International symposium. Gen. Tech. Rep. NC-190. St. Paul, MN: U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, Forest Service, North Central Forest Experiment Station. 620-632.
