Birds of Prey's remarkable new facility

When, on Oct. 22, Gov. Mark Sanford dedicated the medical complex and oil spill treatment facility at the Center for Birds of Prey in Awendaw, he substantively recognized this new facility as delivering state of the art science to oil damaged birds along the South Atlantic seaboard. Throughout the event, I could not help but feel that I was witnessing a momentous achievement in conservation.

The Center for Birds of Prey is located in a world-class natural landscape, including the Francis Marion National Forest and Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge, both of which have been designated as important bird areas by the National Audubon Society and American Bird Conservancy.

The Center for Birds of Prey has long been dedicated to the conservation of raptors and now with this new facility can extend its educational programming to advance the organizations compelling mission. With its field studies of birds and avian medical research, the center is a valuable resource that benefits the ecological health of native birds and the diverse upland and wetland habitats on which they depend. Importantly, the inextricable links between conservation of native bird populations, their habitats and the quality of human life should likewise be understood and appreciated as a fundamental tenet of contemporary society.

Indeed, the Birds of Prey Center complements, in a unique and important fashion, not only Cape Romain refuge and the national forest, but also sites of the S.C. Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR), including Santee Coastal Reserve, Yawkey Wildlife Center and Capers Island Heritage Preserve, as well as private lands whose owners have made major commitments to wildlife and ecosystem preservation in the region.

South Carolinians can be proud to have this new facility among the ranks of other nationally recognized conservation sites within the rural East Cooper area of Charleston County.

Congratulations to the center's staff, board and volunteers, as well as staff of the SCDNR and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service who made this remarkable facility a reality.

Michael Prevost

Pinckney Street

McClellanville