From Rare Sight to Remarkable Recovery: Bald Eagles and the National Eagle Center — with Ed Hahn

The bald eagle has been the patriotic symbol of America for 250 years. Most folks can remember the first time they saw this majestic bird soaring in the wild. There was a time when sighting them, even on Lake Superior,  was rare, but today these birds of prey are making a comeback. Their return represents one of America’s most visible conservation successes. In this episode of the Lake Superior Podcast, Walt Lindala and Frida Waara talk with Ed Hahn, Director of Advancement and Marketing Communications at the National Eagle Center in Wabasha, Minnesota, about the bald eagle’s recovery, how to recognize young eagles and what visitors can learn by meeting an eagle ambassador face to face. **Quotes** 1. Ed Hahn says the species has made "a complete and total recovery" and calls that "a truly incredible accomplishment for Americans to take some pride in," adding, "We accomplished that through public action." 2. “But just like everyone else, we truly do wish that they could be living their full lives as intended as wild eagles out in the wild.” 3. “We have to work with them to educate the public and we have to be sharing those birds with the public.” 4. “Bald eagles are covered in approximately 7,000 feathers.” 5. “There's always new things to learn about eagles.” **Helpful Links** Learn more about the National Eagle Center: https://www.nationaleaglecenter.org/ Plan a visit to the National Eagle Center: https://www.nationaleaglecenter.org/visit/ Meet the National Eagle Center’s eagle and raptor ambassadors: https://www.nationaleaglecenter.org/the-ambassadors/ Watch the EagleWatch Cam overlooking the Mississippi River: https://www.nationaleaglecenter.org/eaglewatch-cam/ Learn what to do if you find an injured bird: https://www.nationaleaglecenter.org/found-an-injured-bird/ Learn about bald eagle recovery and management from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service: https://www.fws.gov/program/eagle-management **Connect With Us:** - Lake Superior Podcast Page – https://nplsf.org/podcast - Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/NationalParksOfLakeSuperiorFoundation **Sponsors:** - Cafe Imports – Minneapolis-based importers of specialty green coffees since 1993, focused on sustainability. Learn more: cafeimports.com - National Parks of Lake Superior Foundation – Donate to protect Lake Superior’s five national parks: nplsf.org/donate