Nevada to Join in Celebration of American Eagle Day
Submitted by editor on Mon, 06/13/2016 - 12:27pm
Event Date:
June 20, 2016 (All day)
On Monday, June 20 the state of Nevada and the Nevada Department of Wildlife will join the American Eagle Foundation, U.S. Congress, and Governors coast to coast in celebrating “American Eagle Day” to commemorate the United States’ National Bird.
The annual commemorative day celebrates the recovery of the majestic Bald Eagle from the brink of extinction, the selection of the Bald Eagle as the central image of the Great Seal of the United States by the Second Continental Congress on June 20, 1782, and the American values, attributes, qualities, ideals, freedoms, democracy and heritage that the Bald Eagle symbolizes. American Eagle Day has been resolved in the U.S. Congress a dozen times and proclaimed by governors in 47 states to date.
“No other species more appropriately represents the red, white, and blue than the iconic brown, white, and yellow, Bald Eagle. An Endangered Species Act success and symbol of American freedom, the Bald Eagle is deservedly recognized on this day,” said Tony Wasley, Director for the Nevada Department of Wildlife.
For 234 years, the Bald Eagle has served as the living symbol of all that America stands for: Freedom, courage, strength, spirit, democracy, independence, and excellence.
Habitat destruction, illegal shooting, and the use of DDT caused the Bald Eagle population to drop to less than 500 nesting pairs in the 1960’s. However, concerned citizens, organizations, and agencies joined together and brought it back to America's lands, waterways and skies.
Now, there are an estimated 14-15,000 Bald Eagle pairs in the contiguous United States today. The Bald Eagle was removed from Endangered Species Act protection in 2007, but still protected under the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act of 1940 and Migratory Bird Treaty Act.
The mission of the Nevada Department of Wildlife is to conserve native birds and all wildlife and their habitats throughout the Silver State. NDOW makes great strides to preserve the natural habitats of the Bald Eagle as well as to eliminate threats to the Bald Eagle’s continuing recovery.
“No matter how often you see Bald Eagles, it’s always an exciting moment,” said Jennifer Newmark, Wildlife Diversity Chief at NDOW. “There are nesting Bald Eagles in Carson Valley that are successfully fledging young - another positive sign of Bald Eagle recovery in Nevada.”
On American Eagle Day, NDOW encourages citizens across the state to remember the Bald Eagle’s comeback, reflect on its special symbolism, and to join and continue efforts to preserve the Bald Eagle.
Since 1995, Governors from more than 47 states have recognized “American Eagle Day” with Proclamations and special documents, giving the USA’s National Bird its own "official day" in their states. The United States Senate and House of Representatives have unanimously passed several resolutions for "American Eagle Day" since 2007.
Additionally, NDOW is also promoting its efforts with the golden eagle as part of its celebration of the 100th anniversary of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. You can listen to the podcast, view a photo gallery and learn about the golden eagle at NevadaWild.org.
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