Many chicks of the various species of birds that breed and nest in the Denali area are now fledged and off the nest. As early as the end of July, fall migration begins for some species of migrating birds. Because of climate change and other factors, new species are showing up in Denali. Not all of these new arrivals are welcomed. Last summer the presence of a cowbird was well documented in the Wonder Lake area of Denali Park and this does not bode well for some of the nesting passerines. Cowbirds are nest parasites. When the female cowbird is ready to lay an egg she finds the nest of another small passerine like a finch or a warbler and lays her own egg in the nest, often tossing out the original egg or eggs of the nesting bird. Often the cowbird egg is larger than the original eggs but the nesting occupant seems not to notice and will incubate the intruder's egg as if it were its own. A baby cowbird grows rapidly and often is larger than even the host parent, none-the-less, the parent continues to feed the chick. Cowbird parasitism has had serious effects on some species of warbler's and thrushes in the eastern states. With the numerous threats to bird populations, the arrival of cowbirds in Alaska is just one more challenge to add to the list.
Denali Education Center's 14th Annual Auction!
Don't miss the premier event of the summer! Our Annual Auction will take place on Saturday, August 2nd at the Charles Sheldon Center. This FUNdraising event is a celebration and wildly-entertaining community affair! Your donations, attendance and support help sustain the programs of Denali Education Center including;
-Camping and backpacking experiences for Denali Borough children aged 6 to 18
-Reaching out to disadvantaged youth & challenged youth and adults from across the state - introducing them to the wonders of Denali National Park and Preserve
-Exposure to educational lectures and the arts through our Community Series events.
-Educational programs for senior citizens who are engaged in lifelong learning through Elderhostel
And so much more! Please join us for the feel-good event of the summer and have the time of your life! If you would like to donate items or make a financial contribution to the Annual Auction, please contact Jill or Christine at (907) 683-2597 or jill@denali.org and christine@denali.org. Details for how to pre-register and buy your tickets early will follow on this website in the coming weeks.
Register for Denali Backcountry Adventures here
Come Visit! Denali Weeks 2008
Don't forget about Denali Week and Denali Mini-weeks! These are great opportunities to visit family and friends working in the area or just come up for an amazing learning experience in Denali this summer. All you need to do is get to Denali and we will take it from there! All lodging, meals, programs, and trips into the park are included! Leave the details to us and come to Denali. It's a trip of a lifetime that you won't soon forget. For more details regarding Denali Week please click here or for Denali Mini-Weeks click here.
LOCATION
Located upon ten wooded acres near the eastern boundary of Denali National Park & Preserve, the home of Denali Education Center is the Charles Sheldon Center and Riverside Hall, also known as the "Learning Center" or "Elderhostel Classroom." We welcome visitors to this remarkable land and experience what makes this place so very special. The Denali Education Center is located at Milepost 231 of the George Parks Highway, seven miles south of the Denali National Park entrance, behind the McKinley Village Lodge.
INFORMATION
For more information about programs or events sponsored by the Denali Education Center, call 907.683.2597 or e-mail us at info@denali.org.
If you would like to be placed on the Denali Education Center mailing list to receive Community Series updates, please send your name, street address and email address to mail@denali.org. We hope to see you in Denali!
In Memorium of George C. Fleharty, Denali Education Center Co-Founder
