(WASHINGTON) - Secretary
of Interior Gale Norton and National Zoo Director Lucy Spelman today joined
a dozen volunteers to plant trees and shrubs as part of creating the "Bald
Eagle Refuge," a new home for eagles at the National Zoo.
The new exhibit, which will house two rescued bald eagles when it opens
later this summer, is a joint project of the Interior Department's U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Zoo as part of the year-long
celebration of the 100th anniversary of the National Wildlife Refuge System.
In recognition of National Volunteer Week, Norton and Spelman also highlighted
the important role volunteers play both at zoos and on public lands, including
the nation's 540 refuges.
"This exhibit will offer visitors a close-up view of our national
symbol, the bald eagle, while introducing them to the National Wildlife
Refuge System," Norton said. "It also demonstrates the importance
of the millions of volunteers who offer their time and labor at our refuges
and other public lands and historic sites."
Earlier in the month, Norton unveiled the "Take Pride in America"
program, a national partnership to empower volunteers from every corner
of America to improve parks, refuges, recreation areas and cultural and
historical sites on federal, state and local lands. The program will inspire
citizen stewardship through a bold and innovative communication campaign
and honor outstanding volunteer efforts with presidential recognition.
"There is a place for virtually every American in this program,"
Norton said. "Many states, county and municipal governments, and
service organizations have signed on as formal Take Pride partners. They
will play a vital role in rallying volunteers for projects and programs
to clean up and safeguard parks, cultural and scenic areas."
The volunteers at the event included people who offer their time at refuges,
aquariums, and the National Zoo through the Fish and Wildlife Service,
Friends of the National Zoo and the American Zoo and Aquarium Association.
Together with Norton and Spelman, they planted trees and shrubs native
to the Washington, D.C. region. The new hollies, laurels, rhododendrons,
and other plants will join the oaks, beeches, and poplars of the surrounding
woodlands to provide a natural habitat for bald eagles.
When the exhibit opens to the public on the fourth of July, two bald eagles
from the American Eagle Foundation in Pigeon Forge, Tenn., will make the
zoo their new home. The eagles had been discovered injured in the wild
and were nursed back to health by wildlife rehabilitators.
Otherwise healthy, the eagles'
injuries have left them without the ability to fly or survive in nature.
When the exhibit opens, the National Zoo will assume the responsibility
for the birds' care, and these distinctive white-headed raptors will join
other animal species native to North America on the Zoo's North America
The National Wildlife Refuge System was created in 1903 by President Theodore
Roosevelt to preserve our natural resources. Like the National Zoo, national
wildlife refuges offer spectacular wildlife viewing opportunities and
educate thousands of children and adults each year about wildlife. But
national wildlife refuges are also places to enjoy outdoor pursuits like
fishing, photography, hunting, and hiking. There are refuges in every
state and one within an hour's drive of most major cities.