Discover the fascinating world of owls at the upcoming Science Café hosted by UNMC | Newsroom

Join Kathy Fischer and Patty Albright from the Fontenelle Forest Raptor Program for the Omaha Science Café on Tuesday, May 14 at 7 p.m. at the Slowdown. They will be presenting “The Science of Owls” in an interactive session where attendees can get an up-close look at owls and even dissect owl pellets.

Kathy Fischer, the manager of Fontenelle Forest’s Raptor Program, has a decade of experience working with birds of prey. She leads a team of raptor volunteers who care for all the non-releasable birds living in the Raptor Woodland Refuge at Fontenelle Forest. Patty Albright, who has volunteered with the forest’s raptor team for over 20 years, will also be sharing her expertise during the event.

The Raptor Woodland Refuge at Fontenelle Forest is a unique canopy-level exhibit showcasing more than two dozen birds of prey, including bald eagles, turkey vultures, hawks, falcons, and owls. All these birds are non-releasable due to various factors, such as previous injuries, and would not survive in the wild. Some of them have become part of the educational bird roster at Fontenelle Forest for outreach and education programs.

Through these programs, staff and volunteers educate the public about the important roles raptors play in our ecosystem and the conservation efforts needed to protect them. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn more about these birds of prey, support raptor conservation initiatives, and contribute to the education efforts to preserve these majestic creatures for future generations.