Arizona’s Bald Eagle Nestwatch Program Celebrates 35 Years of Dedication
Arizona Game and Fish Department 02.12.13
It isn’t an easy job, and it isn’t for everyone, but Arizona’s Bald Eagle Nestwatch Program has contributed to the tremendous growth of the state’s bald eagle population for 35 years. Dedicated teams of biologists camp out for months braving all elements so they can wake up at the crack of dawn to help protect our state’s bald eagles.
“For more than 35 years, the state’s unique nestwatch program has been an integral component of Arizona bald eagle management,” says Kenneth Jacobson, head of the Arizona Game and Fish Department Bald Eagle Management Program. “Nestwatchers have helped save the lives of more than 60 eagle nestlings since the program began in 1978. Their contributions certainly have helped Arizona’s bald eagle population grow.”
This year’s nestwatchers began their four-month tour of duty this week. They will watch 14 breeding areas, most along the Salt and Verde rivers in national forests, on Native American lands, and in Maricopa County parks. The contractors will observe from dawn to dusk, collecting data about the eagles’ behavior, educating the public, and notifying rescuers of any life-threatening situations for the birds.
The nationally-recognized nestwatch program began as a weekend volunteer effort by the U.S. Forest Service and Maricopa Audubon to help ensure the continued success of bald eagle breeding. Now 26 government, private organizations and tribes are involved with the program to monitor bald eagle breeding areas that are under heavy pressure from human recreational activities.
So far in 2013, three new breeding areas have been documented bringing Arizona to a record 68 bald eagle breeding areas throughout the state. The department’s bald eagle conservation program is supported by the Heritage Fund, a 1990 voter-passed initiative that provides funding for wildlife conservation and education from Arizona lottery dollars.
