Bureau of Land Management Environmental Education Homepage Feature of the Month

BLM-Idaho Captivates Educators and Kids
with
"The Raptor Box"

A portable teaching trunk called "The Raptor Box" has been developed by BLM-Idaho's Snake River Birds of Prey National Conservation Area (NCA) to share information with teachers, students, public groups, and organizations about raptors and the NCA. The Raptor Box is a self contained trunk containing tools, lessons, and activities for instruction about birds of prey. It can be used to reinforce the basic concepts of science, mathematics, English, social studies, physical education, arts and crafts, language arts, and humanities. The activities are targeted for grades 1 through 6, but can be modified for other age levels.

The contents of The Raptor Box include:

Instructions for use A checklist of contents Teacher Instruction Notebook Lesson plans Questions/answers

Student activities Supplementary reading materials List of raptor websites Raptor silhouettes Raptor parts and mammal tracks

The Raptor Box includes life-size silhouettes of raptors, which give teachers and students an idea of the actual size, shape, and wingspan of raptors. The six raptor silhouettes represent the American kestrel, prairie falcon, red-tailed hawk, northern harrier, turkey vulture, and golden eagle.

Teachers are encouraged to use the silhouettes to teach the basics of avian flight, highlight the differences in wing shape and size of various raptors, and explore the ways in which birds of prey use their wings for survival. Students can compare their own arm size and span to those of various raptors, encouraging hands-on learning.

The Raptor Box also comes with an assortment of raptor parts - both synthetic and real - including life-size rubber models of talons from seven raptor species; owl flight and down feathers; regurgitated pellets from a kestrel and hawk; and eggs from prairie falcons, kestrels, and screech owls. Rubber molds of mammal tracks from prey species, such as jackrabbits, kangaroo rats, and badgers, are also included.

These samples allow users to examine and compare raptor parts from different species. The raptor parts and mammal tracks can be used to reinforce lessons, activities, and concepts addressed in the Teacher Instruction Notebook.

To assist educators in getting started, The Raptor Box contains five ready to-use lesson plans:

Lesson One: Predator/Prey Relationships
Lesson One addresses the interdependence of predators and prey. The lesson also covers the roles of predators and prey in the environment, the fact that raptors serve as barometers of an ecosystem's health, and environmental factors that cause changes in raptor populations.

Lesson Two: What Makes a Bird a Raptor?
Lesson Two examines the defining characteristics of birds, and the traits that distinguish raptors from other birds. Topics include bird anatomy, the functions of avian body parts, and the natural history of raptors.

Lesson Three: Habitat
Lesson Three details the habitat components essential for raptor survival. The lesson also explains how the unique combination of geology, climate, topography, and soils have made the Snake River Birds of Prey National Conservation Area an ecosystem that is uniquely suited to raptors and their prey.

Lesson Four: The Snake River Birds of Prey National Conservation Area
Lesson Four introduces teachers and students to the NCA: its origin and early research, initial efforts to protect the area, and the importance of the area for raptors. This lesson also acquaints teachers and students with a few of the area's more well-known residents.

Lesson Five: Management and Conservation
Lesson Five explains the general concepts of management and conservation of public lands within the NCA and how the concepts interrelate. This lesson also takes a look at the importance of the NCA for humans, from the earliest inhabitants to the present day. Last, the lesson addresses the relationships between peoples' attitudes and behaviors and positive/negative effects on the environment.

Teacher reaction to The Raptor Box has been enthusiastic; the following sampling of comments from Idaho educators is typical:

". . . a wealth of great stuff."
Madison Elementary School; Boise, Idaho

". . . we wanted to keep it longer."
Highland High School; Pocatello, Idaho

". . . enjoyed the wide range of activities."
Hillcrest Elementary School; American Falls, Idaho

"There was so much stuff in there. Oh my goodness! I was amazed."
Highland High School; Pocatello, Idaho

National Conservation Area staff are happy to assist educators in scheduling use of The Raptor Box on a first-come, first-served basis. The trunk may be picked up in person or shipped via United Parcel Service (UPS). The box may be used for three-week periods, and must be returned in the same condition as it was received. Payment is required for return shipping to BLM and for any lost or damaged Raptor Box items.

If you are interested in using The Raptor Box or if you have questions about the NCA, please contact one of our NCA Park Rangers: Nancy Taylor-Grant, telephone (208) 384-3463, e-mail ngrant@id.blm.gov, or Larry Ridenhour, telephone (208) 384-3334, e-mail lridenho@id.blm.gov. You may also write or call BLM at Lower Snake River District, 3948 Development Avenue, Boise, Idaho 83705, telephone (208) 384-3300.

Please also visit the following websites for additional information:

BLM Snake River Birds of Prey National Conservation Area
http://www.id.blm.gov/bopnca/index.html

Birds of Prey Foundation
http://www.birds-of-prey.org

Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology
http://birds.cornell.edu

Hawk Mountain Sanctuary
http://www.hawkmountain.org

Ornithological Web Library (O.W.L.)
http://www.aves.net/the-owl/

The Peregrine Fund
http://www.peregrinefund.org

US Geological Survey Raptor Information System
http://nighthawk.boisestate.edu

Southeastern Raptor Rehabilitation Center
http://www.vetmed.auburn.edu/raptor

This page was created by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management, Environmental Education & Volunteers Group, 1849 C Street, Room 406-LS, Washington, DC 20240. Send comments or questions relating to accessibilty of documents to Kevin_Flynn@blm.gov Number of visitors since July 15, 2003:[an error occurred while processing this directive]

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