The Winning Raptor Is ...

We had a big decision to make today! Our bake sale was a HUGE success, and we knew we had enough funds to sponsor a raptor at the Leslie Science and Nature Center. Several children wanted to get up and give impassioned mini-speeches about their choices. It really came down to two favorites - the Eastern Screech Owl (pluses: cuteness, there are more than one, and yes, they are very cute) and the American Kestrel (pluses: it doesn't attack people and Dillon thinks it is cool so it must be cool). Total vote tallies - Eastern Screech Owl: 7 American Kestrel: 4.

But, surprise! We raised enough money to sponsor TWO raptors! I emailed the information today, and we are all set. We will visit "our" birds at LSNC in the spring to make sure they are doing well.

According to the LSNC website, our money will help pay for:

• Feeding and caring for the birds of prey
• Providing medical treatment for the birds of prey when needed
• Conducting training of both birds and staff
• Defraying costs for schools that cannot afford educational programs otherwise
• Inspiring visitors and community through educational programs

And we will receive by mail:

• A certificate recognizing our adoption
• A color photograph of the birds we adopted
• A biography of the birds we adopted
• A fact sheet about the species of the birds we adopted
• An Adopt-A-Raptor bumper sticker
• Our school name displayed on the enclosure of our adopted birds