June 20th is Bald Eagle Day. A resolution proclaiming June 20th Bald Eagle Day was approved by both houses of the U.S. Congress in 2007, 2008, 2010, and 2011. It is a day to celebrate the successful recovery of the bald eagle.
The National Eagle Center will be celebrating with special events June 18th-21st.
Wednesday June 18th and Thursday June 19th:
Fishing for Eagles from Noon to 4:00pm.
Friday June 20th and Saturday June 21st:
Kick off a summer of fun with special river themed activities, special guests and eagle enrichment to celebrate bald eagles!
All guests and activities will take place both Friday and Saturday unless noted in italics.
- MN DNR- Friday only at noon! Who’s Lurking in Our Water? Learn about who lives in our lakes and rivers, the difference between native and invasive species, discuss how invasive species are able to take over habitats, look at examples of MN invasives, and play games that explore how invasives can take over an ecosystem.
- MN DNR Fisheries- Fishing Shocking demonstration Friday only at 2pm! Weather dependent
- US Corps of Engineers- Learn about navigation. Meet Bobber the Water Safety Dog Saturday only at 2pm!
- US Fish and Wildlife Service- Learn about Upper Mississippi River nuisance species.
- USFWS Winona District – Learn about invasive species.
- US Coast Guard Auxiliary- Learn about water and boat safety. Meet Coastie the Tug Boat!
- Activities include Fish Printing, Eagle Enrichment (minnows!) and the Casting Game!
Background of Bald Eagle Day In June, 2007 the bald eagle was finally removed from the Endangered Species list after more than 30 years. In 1963, there was just one nesting pair of bald eagles along the entire Upper Mississippi River Wildlife and Fish Refuge – a stretch of more than 260 miles of prime bald eagle habitat! When the bald eagle was included in the 1973 Endangered Species Act, there were just 417 nesting pairs across the lower 48 states.
After banning the use of DDT, the federal government listed the bald eagle under the newly created Endangered Species Act. Increased habitat protection and breeding and release programs helped to bring this magnificent bird back from near extinction in the lower 48 states. Today bald eagle populations are once again healthy and even thriving all over the United States.
When the bald eagle was removed from the endangered species list in 2007, there were more than 11,000 nesting pairs in the continental US. In the state of Minnesota today there are more than 2,300 nesting pairs of bald eagles.
