Number: 1984-11
WHEREAS, the National Wildlife Federation through its Raptor Information Center is dedicated to the encouragement of the maintenance of raptor (birds of prey) species diversity in North America through the promotion of effective raptor management; and
WHEREAS, eagles and other birds of prey are vital ecological components of the wildlife communities and ecosystems in which they live and are important environmental indicators of ecosystem quality; and
WHEREAS, 40 of 53 (75%) species of birds of prey that occur regularly in the United States were listed by one or more state conservation agencies in 1982 as endangered, extirpated, threatened, or of concern; and
WHEREAS, public attitudes regarding birds of prey are changing to one of appreciation and understanding; and
WHEREAS, over a million Americans are birdwatchers who regularly observe eagles and other birds of prey every autumn at migration outlooks located on major raptor flyways from California to Maine and from Minnesota to Florida and Texas; and
WHEREAS, the creation of a national observance of a week dedicated to the conservation of birds of prey would focus public attention on the value of birds of prey in wildlife communities and would stimulate support for raptor management and for the establishment of sanctuaries at important raptor migration lookouts; and
WHEREAS, the states of Connecticut, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New York, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Wisconsin have recognized the importance of birds of prey and so adopted proclamations in 1983 which declared the week of October 2 through October 8 in 1983 as “Hawk Watching Week”;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the National Wildlife Federation, in annual meeting assembled March 15-18, 1984, in Atlanta, Georgia, designates the week commencing with the first Sunday in October of each year as “National Birds of Prey Conservation Week”; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the National Wildlife Federation urges the Congress of the United States to designate the week commencing with the first Sunday in October of each year as “National Birds of Prey Conservation Week,” and urges the President of the United States to issue a proclamation calling upon individuals to observe such week by taking the opportunity to observe the beauty of raptors in flight and by considering the importance of birds of prey in wildlife communities.