About our efforts to bring back the Peregrine Falcon

In 1973, the Peregrine falcon was one of the first animals placed on the newly-created Endangered Species List. Bob Anderson founded the Raptor Resource Project in 1988 to breed and release peregrine falcons near Minneapolis and Saint Paul, Minnesota as part of a nationwide effort to return the highly endangered species. He was able to successfully get an urban population reintroduced in the 90s. However, their natural habitat were historically cliff nests and Bob wanted to bring that population of 0 breeding pairs on the cliffs back to life. In 1996, Bob began a revolutionary experiment of breeding and releasing peregrines on the habitat of their ancestors - the cliffs along the Mississippi River in Iowa. Within 4 years of this experiment, the first peregrine offspring returned back to the cliffs on their own and began to naturally reproduce without Bob's assistance. Bob quickly realized that "Peregrines attract peregrines" as many others soon followed, which steadily increased this reintroduced population of wild Peregrine Falcons. Bob spent the last 15 years of his life rapelling down cliffs to monitor 50+ nest sites along the Mississippi in Iowa, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. By 2013, the Peregrine Falcon had been taken off the endangered species list both federally and in Iowa and Minnesota - a feat that is hardly ever accomplished in the world of wildlife conservation. Bob has since passed away, but the Raptor Resource Project remains dedicated to carrying on his legacy. He will always be remembered for his phenomenal efforts to reverse the course of the Peregrine Falcon species, which now flourishes along the Mississippi River. Today, we continue to monitor 24+ cliff nesting sites and band 80+ peregrine eyasses, or babies, each year.

About the Raptor Resource Project

The Raptor Resource Project's is a non-profit organization. We are dedicated to preserving and strengthening raptor populations, expanding participation in raptor conservation, and educating people around the world about raptors and their habitats. Our founder Bob Anderson pioneered the use of online bird cams in 1998. Since then our raptor cams and education program have grown. 100% of the funds raised through the sale of these T-shirts will go to offset the costs of our Birdcam and Bird of Prey monitoring and management programs. Your support allows us to continue the work that touches so many ? thanks for being part of the family!

You can learn more about us at www.raptorresource.org.