Raptor Trust
1390 White Bridge Road
Millington, NJ 07946
(908) 647-1091 Education Center • 647-2353 Rehab Center
www.theraptortrust.org
This
is the leading raptor rehabilitation facility this side of the Mississippi,
caring for thousands of injured and orphaned raptors and other wild birds
(such as this hungry crowlet*) each year. Over the past few years, the
Raptor Trust has grown significantly and now includes a new Education
Center that delivers the best programs around. Each program can be
geared to third grade through college level as well as adult groups. Programs
are also available for individuals and families.
A simple visit to the Trust is a thrill, to see these beautiful birds so well cared for. These are casualties, many of them brought in by concerned people who found them injured, ill, or as orphaned babies. The professionals at the Raptor Trust give these birds their best chance at recovery and, when recovered, the birds are released into an area where they will flourish. Unreleasable birds are given permanent homes, here or elsewhere, with some being used for live educational demonstrations, such as Chainsaw*, the Eastern Screech Owl here.
Programs include: The Raptor Trust Story, describing the workings of this fantastic place. Students look "behind the scenes" and meet some of the patients that have been brought in for treatment. Raptors demonstrates the differences and similarities between hawks and owls, and explores the biology 
of these unique birds. Students get to know the common resident species of New Jersey, and some of the less common visitors. Owls of New Jersey is an in-depth look at the lives of these interesting and often misunderstood nocturnal birds of prey. Hawks of New Jersey explores the world of diurnal raptors. Resident and migrant hawks are shown in detail, and many aspects of their natural history are revealed. The Education Building seats 40 people. These programs can also be conducted at school.
If I sound biased toward the Raptor Trust, I must confess that I've brought a couple of birds here myself, one orphaned and one shot. Both birds were treated to recovery in a caring, professional environment, just as these two orphaned bluejays are. I've been in a hospital, myself. I'd much rather be here!
All photographs on this page copyright ©1999 by Ellen Goldberg of The Raptor Trust.
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Hours: Open daily. |
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Admission: $2.00 per person (donation). Family Program rates vary -- very reasonable. Special Guided Tours cost around $10 per adult and $5.00 per child. Call for schedule. Group Programs cost in the $100.00 range per class. |
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Group Reservations: At least 6 weeks in advance. |
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Lunch: Bagged lunch may be eaten on grounds (school groups by prior arrangement). |
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Handicapped Access: Education Building is accessible. |
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Directions: From the George Washington Bridge, take I-80 West to I-287 South. From I-287 North or South - EXIT 30A (North Maple Aveue, Basking Ridge). Exit ramp is one way to the right onto North Maple Avenue. Follow N. Maple for a mile and a half, then bear left at fork onto South Maple Avenue. Stay on S. Maple for about a mile, then turn left onto Lord Stirling Road. Follow Lord Stirling for a mile and a half and cross the bridge. The road name changes here to White Bridge Road. Visitors: Park at the third house on the left after the bridge. Watch for Visitor Parking and Education Center signs. Bird admitting: park at the fourth house on the left in the small lot. Watch for Bird Admitting sign. From Route 22 - Take Watchung Avenue Exit (in North Plainfield). Follow Watchung Ave. to circle. Go halfway around circle and follow Stirling / VA Hospital sign. Take Stirling Rd. to its end and at the light turn left onto Valley Road. At the second traffic light turn right onto Main Avenue. Follow thru town, over railroad tracks (now Main becomes Central Avenue), up thehill and through the 4-way (crossing Long Hill Rd). As you start downhill, bear right onto Pleasant Plains Road. Take this about a mile to the stop sign; turn left onto White BridgeRoad. Visitors: park at the third house on right. Watch for Visitor’s Parking and Education Center signs. Bird admitting: park at the second house on the right. Watch for Bird Admitting sign. If you are coming from Eastern New Jersey or New York City I - 78 West - EXIT 36 (Warrenville / Basking Ridge) - Turn right off the ramp (toward Basking Ridge). Go 1.1 mi. and turn right at the third light onto Rt. 512/Valley Road. Go to the next light and turn left onto Main Avenue. Follow thru town, over railroad tracks (now Main becomes Central Avenue), up the hill and across the intersection of Long Hill Road. As you start downhill, bear right onto Pleasant Plains Road. Follow this for about a mile to a stop sign. There turn left onto White Bridge Road. If you are coming from Western New Jersey or Pennsylvania I - 78 East - EXIT 36 (Warrenville / Basking Ridge) - Turn left off the ramp (toward Basking Ridge). Go 1.1 mi. and turn right at the white church(onto Rt. 512/Valley Road) and then follow the directions above. Visitors: park at the third house on the right. Watch for Visitor’s Parking and Education Center signs. Bird admitting: park at the second house on the right. Watch for Bird Admitting sign. |
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Copyright © 1996-2014 by Patrick Tadeushuk. All Rights Reserved.