World Wildlife Day 2021 at Radnor Lake

On 20 December 2013, at its 68th session, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) proclaimed 3 March – the day of signature of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) in 1973 – as UN World Wildlife Day to celebrate and raise awareness of the world’s wild animals and plants.

The UNGA resolution also designated the CITES Secretariat as the facilitator for the global observance of this special day for wildlife on the UN calendar. World Wildlife Day has now become the most important global annual event dedicated to wildlife.

On March 3rd, we are offering a special interpretive program in honor of our first celebration of World Wildlife Day at Radnor Lake State Natural Area (#DoOneThingToday). 1 of 7 events in North America in honor of World Wildlife Day, this unique interpretive program offers visitors the engaging opportunity to learn about birds of prey under our care due to their special need and the importance each have to our natural environment.

Registered participants can hike up to the Barbara J. Mapp Aviary Education center for a guided tour/interpretive program to view our captive birds of prey along the 550′ boardwalk. The Barbara J. Mapp Aviary Education Center is 3/4 mile hike (15 min) from the East Parking Area and 1 1/4 mile hike (30 min) from the West Parking Area/Walter Criley Visitor Center.

All of our captive birds of prey are non-releasable, meaning they have sustained an injury that prevents them from surviving on their own in the wild.  Our aviary center is fully occupied with 1 Great Horned Owl, 1 Red Tailed Hawk, 1 Black Vulture, 1 Golden Eagle, 1 Immature Eagle and 1 mature bald eagle.

This event will be limited to 9 park visitors who can tour the aviary center boardwalk (550′) with Park Manager Steve Ward with social distancing of 6′ to ensure we are within COVID-19 safety guidelines for group activities. Safety mask are required and to be worn appropriately (covering mouth & nose) at all times to attend this program due to COVID-19 safety protocals at Radnor Lake.

Registration is free but required and all registered participants will need to hike/meet at the gate of the Barbara J. Mapp Aviary Education Center at 4:30pm.  We will be unable to accommodate any late arrivals for this guided tour so visitors registered for this event should plan on allowing additional time to park (expect a wait to get an open parking space) and time to hike to the aviary center. Pets are not allowed on the boardwalk of the aviary center due to stress on our captive birds of prey.

Any visitors with special needs please contact Park Manager Steve Ward for sign language assistance for any of our interpretive programs at Steve.Ward@tn.gov.