The Eagle Institute and Delaware Highlands Conservancy have merged in a partnership that will lead to the continued resurgence of the eagle in the Upper Delaware River region and to better protection of critical eagle habitat.
The Eagle Institute is the Upper Delaware River Watershed’s premier organization for the protection of eagles and the stewardship of their habitat. The Conservancy is the region’s foremost organization for the protection of healthy lands and waters and has protected over 13,000 acres to date. The Eagle Institute and Conservancy share a conservation vision focused on healthy lands and clean waters vital for thriving wildlife habitats, for the health and quality of life of the region’s residents and visitors, and for the success of the region’s locally sustainable economies, including its important outdoor recreation and ecotourism industries.
About the Partnership
Formalizing the partnership will expand the capacity and leverage the resources of both organizations by joining together each organization’s dedicated members, volunteers, and supporters. The partnership will greatly enhance the protection of the region’s iconic eagle and the healthy lands and clean waters upon which eagles depend. Going forward, the Eagle Institute will be a “Project of the Delaware Highlands Conservancy.”
“This is a truly exciting endeavor and a great new chapter for the Eagle Institute,” states President and Founder Lori McKean. “The two organizations have always shared a conservation mission and have worked together numerous times through the years. The Eagle Institute is excited to now have the expertise of the Conservancy focused specifically on eagle habitat conservation.”
As a Project of the Delaware Highlands Conservancy, the Eagle Institute will continue to operate its winter field office in Lackawaxen, PA, to offer quality eagle education programs in Sullivan County, NY and northeast Pennsylvania, and to provide on-site assistance for eagle watchers. The Eagle Institute will maintain its active web-based informational programs, which help promote eagle etiquette and protect the eagle in the region.
“Bringing the Eagle Institute and the Delaware Highlands Conservancy together is the perfect partnership,” affirms an enthusiastic Sue Currier, the Conservancy’s Executive Director. “In these days of doing more with less shared resources go further. The combined energy of our members, volunteers, and supporters will support thriving eagles and lead to more eagle habitat in our region protected than ever. We will reach more and more people with the message that eagles – and people – thrive when the lands and waters where they live are healthy and protected.”
The Eagle Institute, a non-profit volunteer organization was founded by McKean in 1998 and has focused on education about eagles and eagle habitat stewardship. Eagle Institute programs have reached nearly 50,000 people. The Delaware Highlands Conservancy, also a non-profit organization, was founded by Barbara Yeaman in 1994. The Conservancy works in partnership with landowners and communities to conserve the Upper Delaware River region’s natural heritage and rural quality of life. This new partnership will assure that both organizations are stronger as they work together to conserve wildlife, healthy lands, and clean waters now and into the future.
Thoughts from the NPS
“The Eagle Institute and the Delaware Highlands Conservancy are the best at what they do,” states Sean McGuinness, Superintendent of the National Park Service, Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River. “We are excited to continue to work closely with these good people to conserve our natural resources, and educate the public as to why it’s so important to assure our lands, waters, and wildlife habitats are protected. They work well in cooperation with the other conservation organizations in the region. Together they will be even stronger in providing leadership in effective and intelligent conservation in our region.”
For more information, visit www.delawarehighlands.org or www.eagleinstitute.org, call 570-226-3164 or 845-557-6162, or email info@delawarehighlands.org.
