This Week at Liberty
September 23, 2025
Hoots, Howls, and Hollers
Megan Mosby
Executive Director
Engage with Nature
In my last blog, I introduced you to one of our new programs for this year and hopefully for many more in the future, our Nature Explorer workshops for young nature lovers in the 4th– 6th grades. It seemed to strike a chord with our followers, and that makes me happy…but there is more!
We also are continuing with our Superhero program for students K-3rd grade. Our Superhero leader this year will be Rachael Schmidt. We are very excited about her energy, talents, organization, and fun side. But she has another few skills that are also awesome. She is a Master Naturalist, a homeschool teacher and a mom! She is bringing a lot of experience, creative activities and enthusiasm to this program. Here in her own words is a description of the Superhero program:
The Superhero’s Club at Liberty Wildlife is a program designed for students in grades K-3 and their parents, introducing them to the wonders of nature and the important part they can play in being superheroes for our environment through stories, crafts, and games. Our program runs October-May meeting the 2nd Sunday of each month from 1:30-3:00pm. Students will get to explore the Liberty Wildlife Campus and meet our animal ambassadors up close. Students will learn how to nature journal and explore a variety of topics with hands-on activities learning about our native pollinators, migratory birds, habitats, riparian areas, crafting nests for orphaned baby birds, and more.
Our Superheroes club cost is just $70 for the full year’s program and the first class will be on October 12th. If you are interested or know someone that you think might be interested, please have them email Carol Suits at carols@libertywildlife.org.
The mission of Liberty Wildlife is to “nurture the nature of Arizona,” and we can’t think of anything more important in this day and age than to eagerly entice young people away from their screens and out of the house to explore the world around them. These experiences with nature, are led by seasoned adults, many of whom learned the same exact same way—by getting out there.
A major goal for us is to see a 5-year-old little person start with Superheroes, grow into a Nature Explorer and then graduate into our Teen program. Learning to be an advocate for the world we live in is a critical but fun skill to learn. Even if you can only manage to squeeze in one of these programs, come give it a try.
After all, it is going to be their world, and they need a voice in what they will live in. Parents, help your little ones be a positive impact on the natural world, and you will never regret it….and they will thank you! Encourage them to engage in nature. The benefits are untold.
Trust me!
Register for Superheroes or Nature Explorers by email to: carols@libertywildlife.org.
This Week @ Liberty
The intake total for the year is now up to 8410.
I know the last time we chatted, I talked about a ton of upcoming events happening here on-site. And while it may make me sound like a broken record, I think they’re worth repeating.
Wishes for Wildlife: Our annual silent auction and “gala” dinner is here at Liberty Wildlife this year on Saturday, November 1st (complete with a pre-reception happy hour from 4:30-5:30pm for Liberty Wildlife members only). Not only will you get to peruse the auction items and make a bid on your favorites, you’ll get to be up close and personal with our permanent residents, including seeing our new mammals enclosures. Tickets are on sale now for this 21+ event – check out more information here.
Native Americans and Wildlife Celebration: Join us for a day of honoring Native Americans and our wildlife between 9am-4pm. Not only will you get to see vendors from all over the state, you’ll get to see your favorite animal ambassadors and get a chance to see Native American dancers in the amphitheater. To find out more information and to see the upcoming schedule of events, click here.
By: Acacia Parker | Public Outreach Coordinator
Animal Ambassador Highlight
As we start to slow in the hospital and the weather begins its change to something bearable (so soon you guys, so soon), we begin the busyness on the other side of Liberty Wildlife aka the education side. Field trips, booths, programs at schools and libraries and national parks, on-site weddings: you name it, we’re there to show off our amazing wildlife. In fact, one of our amazing permanent residents is one you won’t see off-site (he’s not a fan of travelling); you’ll only see him here on campus, where he’s made a home since 2004. Here’s a few clues: he’s the largest hawk in North America with a unique grey head, rusty shoulders and gray underparts; he eats a diet of mostly mammals (like ground squirrels and prairie dogs), and his species are typically found in prairies, deserts and open ranges of the west.
Have you guessed? Well, if you thought hey, this is Pawnee the Ferruginous Hawk, you were spot on!
Pawnee came from a sanctuary in Missouri where he was found as an imprint (he thinks we’re his people and therefore cannot do the wild things he needs to survive in the wild). We estimate he was about a year old when he made the move here, making him 22 years old this year!
Some super fun facts about Ferruginous Hawks (in case you didn’t know, or hey, in case you want a reminder!):
- Ferruginous hawks are one of the only hawks (past rough-legged hawks and golden eagles) to be feathered on their legs to their toes;
- Their nests are so bulky they are often added on to pre-existing hawk or crow nests;
- When bison roamed the west, their bones and hair were often found in their nests along with the sticks and twigs;
- Typically found alone, in winter they are often found together in groups of six to twelve where they wait on the ground for prey to emerge. In the meantime, they will threaten each other by hopping and flapping their wings, which creates a feeding frenzy that often attacks other ferruginous hawks, golden eagles and bald eagles;
- Like most raptors, these hawks are monogamous and try and find their same mate every year; it is the male who brings the materials for the nest, and the female constructs (and is done in less than a week);
- The estimated global population is 110,000 (and have a low rate of conservation concern).
If you’ve never seen Pawnee, I highly recommend a trip to Liberty Wildlife to do so. He’s a gorgeous raptor, with incredible coloring and personality to boot (like the rest of us, am I right?)!
By: Acacia Parker | Public Outreach Coordinator
Notable Mentions
Hey, you made it! I’m so grateful you’re here with us and come to see what’s happening here at Liberty Wildlife. Right now, public hours happen on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays from 9am-11am, with a switch to our fall hours starting Wednesday, October 1st when the hours will change to 10am-1pm with all our regularly scheduled programing.
Without further ado, here are this week’s notable mentions:
- A red-tailed hawk makes a stop on one of many flight cages on the rehab side. (1 picture – by Jake)
- Lamb disguises herself to ensure her relationship with the animals she works with doesn’t become compromised. (1 picture – by Teresa)
- A gray fox currently in rehab gets his morning meal. (1 picture)
Thanks again for reading and hanging with us week after week. Of course, make sure to keep an eye out for all new exciting stuff happening (as always) here in the upcoming weeks.
Until next time!
By: Acacia Parker | Public Outreach Coordinator
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