WINGS OVER AMERICA CAMPUS
3190 Oak Hill Drive
Laurel, Maryland 20724
An abandoned dairy barn in Anne Arundel County is the newest development of the Earth Conservation Corps' River of Hope Initiatve. We are there to engage with the talented cadets living at the Capital Guardian Youth ChalleNGe Academy and Scholars at Maya Angelou's Academy at New Beginnings in raptor research & conservation as a STEAM interest gateway.
Through community service hours, youth will gain hands-on experience and build life skills in outdoor, nature-based settings. At the Wings Barn, they will learn about raptor education (with our education birds), conservation of birds of prey, and wildlife tracking & research. The awareness and proximity with these birds of prey, under the guidance of our raptor specialists often lead to lifelong engagement with nature and conservation.
As we build one of the largest eagle aviaries in the Eastern U.S. with Capital Guardian cadets, we need your help through boots on the ground time or donations to help our D.C. youth finish out this mission for a raptor research & conservation center. To join us through time or donation...
Capital Guardian Youth ChalleNGe cadets and scholars at DYRS Maya Angelou Academy at New Beginnings will be leaders in raptor research & conservation as they discover the power of working with birds of prey. Their environmental stewardship will inspire them to become the next generation of Earth Conservation Corps members that carry on the legacy of taking care of our D.C. natural environment and community that the original corps members began 30 years ago.
Watch a brief video below of our Wings Campus initiative below
The Wings Project
Wings Campus Vision
Wings Over America (WOA) is an environmental education/falconry rehabilitation facility on the Department of Youth Rehabilitation Service’s property in Laurel, MD.
For over six years, the Earth Conservation Corps (ECC) has been partnering with the Capital Guardian Youth Challenge Academy Program providing their cadets with hands-on workforce experience. The youth have worked on various projects and in recent years have helped to prepare a 100-year old barn for the initial stages of a long-term renovation. The plan is to turn the barn into an environmental education and raptor rehabilitation center.
The raptor component includes basic care of the birds such as: feeding and keeping the aviaries clean. The cadets learn how to handle the birds and even get an introduction on making falconry equipment. The cadets have also gained valuable workforce experience by working to construct an equestrian pasture ring for the horses and an aviary in the barn for the raptors.
THE WONDER OF BIRDS
Rodney Stotts with our owl, Mr. Hoots & Capital Guardian cadets
The American Kestrel
Americorp graduate, Robert West teaching about birds of prey
Humans have been fascinated with Eagles, Hawks, Falcons, and Owls for thousands of years. By teaching elements of the ancient art and science of falconry, we empower youth to care for birds of prey and reconnect to nature.
Learning about raptor research & conservation for a wild raptors is a transformative experience that inspires both a thirst for STEAM education and a reconnection to self. The relationship offers mutual healing. The raptor gets a second chance for survival and the relationship can change the course of a young person’s life. Many will gain a lifetime connection to raptors and conservation. On returning home to DC, our Anacostia River education centers - The Monique Johnson Anacostia River Center and The Matthew Henson Earth Conservation Center - offer a seamless path for the youth to a build on their knowledge of science and nature.
Two of Earth Conservation Corps' bald eagles, Liberty & Justice. Pictured from live nest feed, 2017.
Cadet Program
Through community service hours, youth will gain hands-on experience and build life skills in outdoor, nature-based settings. At the Wings Barn, youth will learn about raptor education (with our education birds), conservation of birds of prey, and wildlife tracking & research. The awareness and proximity with these birds of prey, under the guidance of our raptor specialists often lead to lifelong engagement with nature and conservation. Their environmental stewardship will inspire them to become the next generation of Earth Conservation Corps members that carry on the legacy of taking care of our D.C. natural environment and community that the original corps members began 30 years ago.
Images of the Fresh Start Project Capital Guardian cadets hard at work as they build the first installation of our Wings Campus -- The 120 ft Eagle Aviary.
Thank You cadets!
Another very special Thank You to Greenspur, who have donated their time to complete construction on the aviary
