Since 1984, the George Miksch Sutton Avian Research Center has made its mark in conservation efforts - transforming the bald eagle population from the brink of extinction to a thriving success story for Oklahoma and surrounding states.
Thanks to the Sutton Center’s unwavering dedication, 275 captive-raised bald eagles were released into the wild in five southern states between 1984 and 1992.
With no known bald eagle nests in Oklahoma when the program began, the Sutton Center’s goal was to have at least 10 nesting pairs and that goal was met by 1994.
Although bald eagles were removed from the Endangered Species List in 2007, our work continues. The Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act ensures the population of the National Bird remains safeguarded, and the Sutton Center continues to play a critical role in monitoring the population.
The Sutton Center is frequently contacted regarding the presence of eagle nests relative to areas planned for development projects. Bald eagle nest monitoring provides a way to record information - and citizen scientists are an essential part of ensuring accurate data is provided at the request of the consulting agencies.
This crucial task would not be possible without the efforts of the Sutton Center’s Bald Eagle Survey Team (B.E.S.T.), a dedicated group of volunteers who monitor the Oklahoma nests during the eagle breeding season. Through recording nest observations throughout the nesting season, the B.E.S.T. ensures that Oklahoma’s bald eagles continue to thrive.
