Grab your coats, hats, and gloves! Come to Stella, Saturday, January 25th for the Festival of Eagles and prepare to witness a true conservation success story close to home!
Always considered sacred to Native Americans, bald eagles were adopted as a national symbol in 1782. Their image appears on coins, money, buildings, and much more. Unfortunately, by 1900 there were no nesting eagles in Missouri, and in 1978 they were one of the first species listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act.
As a result, eagle populations gradually recovered throughout the US, and Missouri has become one of the leading states in the lower 48 for winter bald eagle viewing. Stella draws hundreds to roost in tall trees that outline farm fields on the drive into town, and soar overhead near Veterans Memorial Park at the town center! This is something you need to experience and share!
The Chert Glades Chapter Missouri Master Naturalist and the Joplin Office of Missouri Department of Conservation will again partner with the community of Stella, MO to showcase and celebrate the restoration of this national symbol. With eagles and other raptors overhead, hands-on educational activities for all ages are available throughout the day. Come compare your grip to that of an eagle. Discover where your arm-span places you in the avian spectrum. Help build a life-sized eagle nest, complete with eaglet and egg, or try catching “eagle food” at the fish pond. In addition to photo opportunities, free face-painting, posters, stickers and more, spotting scopes will be set up for better viewing. Food, bathrooms, and warming spots are available and convenient.
Take advantage of the Stella Eagle Festival on Jan 25, 10 AM to 3 PM. (Scopes generally remain set up until dusk.) Find out all about these magnificent birds and what draws them to Stella and SW Missouri. You owe yourself a great eagle-viewing experience this season. Seeing Bald Eagles has never been easier or more assured!
By Val Frankoski, a founding member of Chert Glades Chapter in 2005, served as an officer, organized training, and is currently Butterfly Coordinator, as well as liaison to the City of Joplin in The Mayors’ Monarch Pledge. Val has a BS from Cornell University and an MS in Biological Sciences from Purdue University. A former teacher, Val volunteers in Friends of Wildcat education programs, speaks to local groups about monarchs and other pollinators, serves on the Wildcat Stream Team, and is cultivating a demonstration garden at Redings Mill Bridge.
MARK YOUR CALENDARS!
The Festival of Eagles is scheduled for
Saturday, 25 January, 2020.
Veteran’s Memorial Park
Stella, Missouri
Drop by any time between 10am-3pm