OUTREACH

Education is a vital extension of our rehabilitation work. Through outreach presentations and community programs, we share information about raptors, their ecosystems, and the challenges they face, while offering insight into the rehabilitation process. These efforts help foster respect, awareness, and stewardship, encouraging our community to play an active role in protecting birds of prey.

MEET INVICTUS

Meet Invictus, Winged Freedom’s Bald Eagle ambassador and education bird in training! When he is ready, his job will be to travel with Dr. Kim to outreach and speaking engagements, helping educate the public about Bald Eagles and the challenges they face due to human influence.

In May 2025, Winged Freedom responded to an emergency call for an injured Bald Eagle near New Auburn. Upon immediate examination at our hospital, it was clear that he had suffered a catastrophic injury and was missing nearly one-third of his right wing. He would never fly again. Under standard permitting requirements, such injuries typically require humane euthanasia.

However, as he lay quietly with his injured wing, something about him stayed with Dr. Ammann. The possibility of saving him—not to return to the wild, but to give him a new purpose as a permanent resident and ambassador bird—began to take shape. Keeping a bird in human care is never taken lightly and requires extensive state and federal permits, specialized training, and a dedicated enclosure designed specifically for the bird’s long-term well-being.

With the support of a generous donor who offered a matching grant, funds were raised to build Invictus a custom enclosure. His wound was treated, and the long, careful process of earning his trust and training him for his new role began. As time has passed, Invictus’s personality has started to emerge, and his confidence continues to grow through daily training sessions with Dr. Ammann.

The name Invictus comes from a poem written in 1875 by William Ernest Henley. The word means “unconquerable.” Henley wrote the poem after losing his leg to tuberculosis, drawing on the strength of the human spirit to overcome adversity. It was a fitting name for a bird whose life could have ended due to injury, but who instead has shown resilience and the ability to adapt to a new purpose.

We look forward to introducing Invictus to our community when he is ready—sharing his story, his strength, and the important conservation message he now carries.

Educational Presentation

Our outreach program includes a lively PowerPoint presentation that introduces our organization, the birds we care for, and the medical and rehabilitation work performed at our facility. Audiences gain insight into the conditions we commonly treat and the realities of wildlife rehabilitation. Presentations typically last about one hour, including time for questions. We are happy to stay longer if there is continued interest and time allows.

Due to topics such as euthanasia and the graphic nature of some injuries, this presentation is intended for adult audiences. Children under the age of 10 may find some material unsettling.

Merchandise & Donations

During our visit, we may offer sweatshirts and other merchandise for sale. These items help spread awareness of our organization and provide a small but important source of revenue.

We may also ask for donations during the presentation. Donations are essential to funding the medical care, food, and daily operations of our raptor rehabilitation work. A donation jar may be passed, and we appreciate your support in encouraging generous giving.

Audience & Scheduling Requirements

  • A minimum audience of 30 people is required.

  • While we can help promote the event, it is the responsibility of the hosting organization to ensure attendance is met.

  • Outreach events require multiple volunteers to be away from the hospital, along with travel time. The minimum audience size helps ensure our message reaches a meaningful number of people.

If the presentation is part of a larger meeting or event, we kindly request that our presentation be scheduled at the beginning of the agenda. This allows our team to return to the hospital promptly after the presentation concludes.

Venue Requirements

  • The meeting space must accommodate a projector and screen.

  • The room should have the ability to darken the space for daytime presentations.

  • We can provide all necessary technology if needed.

Live Animal Presentations (When Appropriate)

Some venues may be suitable for a live animal presentation. We have a bald eagle currently being trained for educational programs. When conditions allow, Invictus may be presented following the PowerPoint presentation, along with additional time for questions.

Requirements for live animal presentations include:

  • An indoor meeting space

  • No other birds or domestic animals present

  • Service dogs may need to be seated toward the rear of the room for the bird’s safety

If you would like to schedule an outreach presentation or have questions about hosting requirements, please contact us.