Celebrating 10 Years of Aviary Education

Soaring to New Heights

Celebrating 10 Years

Since its opening in 2015, the Barbara J. Mapp Aviary Education Center has been a cornerstone of conservation and education at Radnor Lake State Natural Area. Conceived in 2010 and brought to life through the generosity of the Barbara J. Mapp Foundation and a host of other contributors, the aviary was designed to provide a permanent home for injured birds-of-prey that could not be safely released back into the wild.

In recognition of our 10th Anniversary milestone, the Barbara J. Mapp Foundation and the Roy & Don Splawn Foundation have both provided match grants to help us raise funding for our upcoming projects. Gifts from our donor community will be matched until June 30, 2025.

SUPPORT THE AVIARY

Upcoming Projects

Ensuring the Aviary’s Future

As we celebrate this milestone, we remain committed to enhancing the aviary’s facilities and programs. Upcoming projects include:

Kitchen Renovation
Install food-grade stainless steel counters for hygenic food preparation for the animals, plus additional lighting and storage for vet supplies to improve overall functionality, reduce operational costs and maintain a sanitary environment.

Flighted Exercise Enclosure
A dedicated enclosed space will allow raptors to practice flight, supporting their enrichment and physical well-being.

Covered Viewing Area for Flighted Aviary
A shaded, wheelchair-accessible space will allow visitors to rest while watching American Bald Eagles in the flighted aviary.

New Accessible Entryway and More Welcoming Walkway
A new, more moderate path with a feature statue will welcome visitors to the aviary center from Hall Drive.

Universal Access to Boardwalk
Modifying the path to the aviary will ensure visitors of all abilities can access this unique educational resource.

Wheelchair-Friendly Library
Renovations and custom shelving will ensure equitable access to educational materials for everyone.

Inclusive Interpretive Display: Wingspan Floor Project
An interactive exhibit will allow all visitors to compare themselves to our raptors’ impressive wingspans.

SUPPORT THE AVIARY

Donors Make it All Possible

The Aviary’s success is ensured through support from community partners and individuals just like you. We extend our heartfelt thanks to the donors who have contributed over the years and the following sponsors of our 10 year anniversary and upcoming aviary projects.

American Bald Eagle ($50,000)

Golden Eagle ($25,000)

Great Horned Owl ($10,000)

Loren Chumley and Scott Peterson

Red Tailed Hawk ($5,000)

Nan Adams

Conservator ($2,500)

Bev & Ken Leiser

Advocate ($1,000)

Baker Donelson

Charley Hankla

Suellen & Leon Joyner

Kim Pietsch

Enthusiast ($500)

Mimi Fondren

Jessi Hammond

Katherine McCrea

In-Kind Contributor

To donate to the aviary, visit radnorlake.org/aviary-gift.

For organizations interested in becoming a sponsor, contact Tina Corkum at tcorkum@radnorlake.org.

SUPPORT THE AVIARY

A Legacy of Conservation and Education

The aviary was carefully planned to exceed federal guidelines for the care of captive wildlife. The birds’ enclosures allow them to see and communicate with each other as they would in the wild, while the 550-foot boardwalk offers visitors an up-close view of these majestic raptors in a natural setting.

Wheelchair-accessible and nestled in the heart of Radnor Lake, the aviary has become a hub for environmental education, hosting nearly 1,000 programs for over 16,000 attendees in the last three years alone. These efforts earned Radnor Lake the prestigious 2023 Excellence in Interpretation Award from the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC).

Today, the aviary is home to seven non-releasable raptors, including a Great Horned Owl, Red-Tailed Hawk, Black Vulture, Golden Eagle, and three Bald Eagles. Each bird’s story inspires visitors to appreciate the interconnectedness of all living things and the importance of conservation.

Park staff have observed wild eagles visiting our captive raptors and feeding in unoccupied areas in the park. In 2021, the first American Bald Eagle nest in Davidson County was registered at Radnor Lake State Natural Area. This Bald Eagle nest has been occupied by the same pair of Eagles for the past four years and three of their young have successfully fledged. There is a new baby eagle this year and we are keeping an eye on their family!

LEARN MORE