'Wings over Water' to promote Earth Day

Public events on tap today, Friday

World Bird Sanctuary employee Johanna Burton takes Patriot, a bald eagle, out of her cage at Thomas Jefferson Middle School during a Wednesday afternoon demonstration by the World Bird Sanctuary provided by Missouri American Water.
World Bird Sanctuary employee Johanna Burton takes Patriot, a bald eagle, out of her cage at Thomas Jefferson Middle School during a Wednesday afternoon demonstration by the World Bird Sanctuary provided by Missouri American Water.

Many Earth Day celebrations this year marked the seventh anniversary of when the bald eagle was removed from the endangered species list.

This week, the World Bird Sanctuary and Missouri American Water are bringing the "Wings Over Water" watershed education program to local schools, the Runge Nature Center and the Missouri Department of Natural Resources Earth Day on the Capitol lawn in Jefferson City.

An eagle, owl and hawk are among the birds that will be shown in public events today and Friday.

The birds will be on public display at the Runge Center from 6:30-7:30 p.m. today. They'll also be out at the Earth Day Festival on the Capitol lawn from 11:15-noon and from 2:30-3 p.m. Friday.

"The eagle was hurt, and the folks at the sanctuary were able to fix him up. But he won't be able to return to the wild," said Ann Dettmer, a spokeswoman for Missouri American.

"When you talk about watershed, it's not an interesting topic," she said. "But when you show the animals that live in the watershed, it's a powerful message that we need to take care of the river."