Birds of Prey NW seeks helping with studio

Birds of Prey Northwest in St. Maries is trying to raise $30,000 to build a studio that would be used by students and interns. 

The 35-year-old nonprofit that rescues and rehabilitates injured wild raptors often receives requests from wildlife biology majors at the University of Idaho and Washington State University looking to shadow them and learn about their work but does not have a place for them to stay. 

"It's quite a distance for them to travel to get here. We would like to be able to accommodate them overnight," said BOPNW Founder Jane Veltkamp. 

They hope to build a studio with plumbing and electricity above their shop. 

Veltkamp said there is generally only one raptor center for rehabilitation in every state.  

“We’re it in Idaho,” she said. 

Don and Jane Veltkamp, assisted by volunteers, have helped hundreds of birds recover from being shot, poisoned and hit by vehicles.

A studio could create opportunities for more young people to pursue careers in the field of wild raptor rehab and education.

Donation information: www.birdsofpreynorthwest.org