Hannibal Eagle Day offering games, crafts, viewing opportunities on Saturday at Nipper Park

HANNIBAL, Mo. — The Mississippi Hills Master Naturalists are hosting an Eagle Day in Hannibal, co-sponsored by Hannibal Parks and Recreation, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 22, at the Admiral Coontz Recreation Center and Rotary Pavilion at Nipper Park.

Eagle Day will provide an opportunity to connect with nature, raise awareness about the importance of eagle conservation and inspire future generations to protect these magnificent birds and their habitats. The free program is handicapped-accessible.

Theresa Casey, president of Mississippi Hills Master Naturalists, said the group decided to host an event similar to the one in Clarksville.

“We thought this would be beneficial to the Hannibal area residents. We want to provide information that will show the bald eagle’s spectacular comeback in population and the reasons for their decline and to illustrate how the conservation efforts of many agencies and citizen awareness can make an impact not only with Eagles but for other species and their environment,” Casey said in a press release.

Casey says the Master Naturalists have a mission of “engaging Missourians in the stewardship of our state’s natural resources” through education and improved understanding of our natural resources.

The program at the Admiral Coontz Recreation Center will offer:

• Live raptor/eagle presentations throughout the day by World Bird Sanctuary of St. Louis to enable visitors to see raptors up close
• Educational displays on eagles in which chapter members will discuss eagle adaptations and eagle rehabilitation
• Eagle crafts for participants to color an eagle mask and create an Eagle Day postcard with nature stamps
• Nature games such as eagle/nature quizzes, Land the Eagle in the Nest (corn hole) and a raptor/eagle matching game
• A human-constructed eagle nest for viewing to simulate the nest size of these great birds
• An area for story time with Hannibal Public Library employees reading eagle and other nature books
• Mississippi Hills Chapter of Master Naturalist Book Club table with suggested readings about Heroes of Conservation.
• Booths with information about Sodalis Nature Preserve, Missouri Department of Conservation Stream Team, Hannibal Tree Board and Missouri Bluebird Society
• Nature artists with their artwork displayed and available for purchase
• A nature art contest for area elementary artists and artwork displayed at the event.

Viewing scopes will be provided by the Missouri Department of Conservation at the riverfront near the Rotary Pavilion for eagle viewing.