The Cascades Raptor Center has wanted to grow its south Eugene location for 15 years. With a recent property purchase, the aviary and rescue center is getting ready to spread its wings.
Some day soon, Danu the Osprey will have twice as much space to sing about. The Raptor Center's Executive Director Louise Shimmel says the master plan calls for a big shuffle. The current visitor's area will house the clinic. To see the birds, people will head to the new acreage, left of the driveway:
Shimmel: “They'll come through the visitors center, which is a beautiful custom wooden yurt. Lots of light and skylights and stuff.”
Shimmel says the new paths will be more accessible, cutting across the slope rather than up and down. She adds, both the public space and the hospital capacity will increase.
Shimmel: “A couple of years ago, the other wildlife rehab center in town closed. And they did everything except raptors. Our goal is, within two years, to be able to take all bird species.”
Shimmel says for now, anyone with sick or injured non-birds of prey should contact Chintiminy Wildlife Center in Corvallis.