PRESS RELEASE – Hawk Mountain Sanctuary has completed a new exhibit at its Irma Broun-Kahn Education Building featuring five life-sized raptor models in a variety of natural poses: a red-tailed hawk, bald eagle, peregrine falcon, turkey vulture and great-horned owl. Each carving was hand-crafted by world-champion carver Thomas Horn of the Lehigh Valley and the five required more than 18 months to complete.

“We’ve been moving away from taxidermy models because they deteriorate over time and are difficult to maintain,” explains Director of Long-term Monitoring Dr. Laurie Goodrich who chaired the exhibits committee. “Full-size carvings created by an amazing artist like Tom Horn were a great fit for our needs and we couldn’t be happier with the result.”

Horn is a two-time “Best in World” winner at the Ward World Championship, first in 2007 for his plate-billed mountain toucan with spider, and then again in 2012 for his pair of violet saberwing hummingbirds. Each carving completed for Hawk Mountain began with careful research including time in the field to view the birds in their native habit, supplemented by anatomical study. Next, Horn created a simple sketch before bringing the models to life in a three-dimensional clay model. After review and any necessary adjustments, the carving could begin, typically using tupelo, bass or another soft wood. A sturdy base was evaluated and fashioned before being finished with multiple layers of acrylic paint.

Now, the five birds surround the 60-year-old fireplace in the Education Building, a space used primarily for school field trip programs, but also for special workshops, corporate meetings and other small events through rental. Collectively, the birds help to illustrate the different families of raptors and the differences in their adaptations and size, making them useful during the indoor portion of a field trip when students learn about raptor biology and migration.

The building re-opened in July 2013 as the Irma Broun-Kahn Education Building following a $1.2 million capital campaign to expand and update the space. Originally built in 1953, new features now include modern technology, full accessibility, parking and a school bus turnaround, catering kitchen, new restrooms, and colorful banners and other learning aids, including the carvings. Much of the original structure remains as well in an effort to reuse and recycle.

The next capital upgrade begins this spring when the Sanctuary breaks ground on a fully-accessible trail to the South Lookout, followed by construction of an Outdoor Amphitheater. All capital upgrades are designed to improve visitor services, boost long-term sustainability, and better connect people with nature and the Hawk Mountain mission.

Hawk Mountain Sanctuary is the world’s first refuge for birds of prey and an international center for raptor conservation. Its 2,500-acre Sanctuary is open to the public year-round for hiking, wildlife observation and to enjoy the spring and fall raptor migrations. Guided group programs are available by fee by calling 610-756-6961, or learn more about Hawk Mountain at http://www.hawkmountain.org. All fees, donations and membership dues support Hawk Mountain’s raptor conservation mission, including local to global research and education programs.

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Hawk Mountain Sanctuary is located at 1700 Hawk Mountain Road in Kempton. Their website is HawkMountain.org.