HAWLEY, PA and BETEL, NY — Delaware Highlands Conservancy and the Eagle Institute will conduct a training day for volunteers who want to help to monitor eagles this winter in the Upper Delaware region. The session will be held on December 1 from 9:30 a.m. to 12 noon at the Lackawaxen Inn in Lackawaxen, PA.

Volunteers will learn how to safely and unobtrusively monitor eagles in the field as well as how to collect data about the large population of eagles that migrate here every winter. Volunteers should be able to withstand cold temperatures and enjoy interacting with the public.

Binoculars, spotting scopes, training manuals, data forms, hand warmers and foot warmers will be provided. Dress warmly—waterproof boots, hats and gloves—and bring a bagged lunch.

The winter Eagle Watch program runs from January 1st to the beginning of March, weekends only, for eight to 10 weeks. The main monitoring areas are Mongaup Reservoir, the Delaware River at Minisink Falls and the Zane Grey boat launch at Lackawaxen. A nest monitoring program is also planned for 2013 where volunteers will be assigned to a specific nest during the spring breeding season to collect data.

Trained Eagle Institute volunteers are needed throughout the year.

To register for the Conservancy’s Eagle Institute Training Day, email volunteer@delawarehighlands.org, or call 570/226-3164 or 845/583-1010. For more information about upcoming eagle events, visit www.DelawareHighlands.org. All new volunteers must attend the orientation session in order to participate in the program.