Research
North Sky Raptor Sanctuary plays a vital role in advancing the scientific understanding of raptors and the ecosystems they anchor. As apex predators and sensitive environmental indicators, raptors offer an extraordinary lens into the health of our shared landscape. By participating in regional and national research initiatives, North Sky Raptor Sanctuary generates data that informs conservation decisions, tracks population trends, and deepens our knowledge of how environmental pressures shape wildlife behavior and survival.
Through collaborative studies—ranging from migration monitoring and banding programs to health assessments and habitat-use research—North Sky Raptor Sanctuary provides researchers with access to rehabilitation data, biological samples, and accurate threat assessments. These partnerships allow scientists to better understand how climate change, habitat fragmentation, and toxins in the environment affect birds of prey. Every data point collected contributes to a broader scientific picture of ecological balance, offering early warning signs of shifts that may impact not only wildlife, but entire ecosystems, including human communities.
This research participation strengthens the Sanctuary’s educational mission as well. Findings gathered from these studies directly inform public programs, school curricula, and community presentations, ensuring that every visitor -whether in a classroom, at an event, or on a future public campus - learns from the most current science available. By connecting people with real, ongoing research, North Sky Raptor Sanctuary fosters environmental literacy - empowering individuals to become active stewards of the natural world.
Collaboration
Our work is strengthened by collaboration. By engaging with a national network of rehabilitators, trainers, and conservation professionals, we bring the best practices in raptor care and environmental education back to our community, elevating the standards of wildlife stewardship here at home.
No one person can save every animal or meet every need, but by sharing knowledge, skills, and support, we can make an impact that’s much greater than the sum of its parts. Collaborating with other licensed wildlife rehabilitators through M.A.W.R. ensures that our patients get the specialized care they deserve, increasing their welfare, and ultimately yielding more positive outcomes!
As our organization continues to grow, our focus remains on strengthening these community connections - offering experiences that inspire wonder, deepen understanding, and encourage every visitor to become a champion for conservation. Together, we can ensure that these “WOW moments” lead to lasting change for both people and the ecosystems we share.
