Nestled away in the various hand-crafted enclosures of the Avian Conservation Center of Appalachia’s (ACCA) Outdoor Classroom are approximately 20 birds, including bald eagles, turkey vultures, an American crow and more. Visitors to the Outdoor Classroom can learn about these resident avians up-close during upcoming monthly tour dates beginning October 5.
The Outdoor Classroom is a facility dedicated to caring for the ACCA’s non-releasable birds and conducting public outreach events. Located on Ridge Way Farm, the property was donated to the ACCA’s partner non-profit, the Human-Animal Bond, by the late Patricia Keith. Keith wanted to ensure her 30-acre Cheat Lake farm was maintained as a natural space for the community to engage with the outdoors, and, about five years ago, the ACCA started work on the Outdoor Classroom to fulfill those values.
Featuring various bird enclosures, a covered pavilion, a stage, restrooms and a native plant garden, the Outdoor Classroom is a product of hard work from all corners of the community. Following years of collaborative efforts from WVU student volunteers, the WVU Extension, Monongahela Master Naturalists, the Rotary Club of Cheat Lake, a variety of architects, contractors, biologists, ACCA volunteers and staff and more, the Outdoor Classroom saw its first public visitors about two years ago.
Since then, the facility has carried out its mission of providing an educational space for the community to engage with the natural world and its wildlife. In addition to public events like the ACCA’s annual Owl-O-Ween or a recent International Vulture Awareness Day celebration, the Outdoor Classroom is also utilized as a venue for field trips of local schools or a gathering space for groups like Mountaineer Audubon.
Thanks to events and gatherings like these, the Outdoor Classroom has seen over 1,100 visitors since January.
“The Outdoor Classroom has really given us the opportunity to showcase the birds that are not releasable and invite groups to come out and see them,” said ACCA executive director Katie Fallon. “It’s wonderful to see people come out and appreciate it, and be able to enjoy the birds and interact with them and learn about their different personalities.”
Following public interest for tours of the facility, the ACCA has launched a schedule of free, open-house tours on the first Saturday of every month from 12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. until May 3, 2025.
During these dates, the community is invited to stop by and observe the birds in their habitats, with staff and volunteers on-hand to answer questions. The birds may be given enrichment toys or fed to demonstrate what captive bird care looks like for a wildlife rehabilitation organization. Visitors are welcome to bring lunch to enjoy at the facility’s picnic tables, and merchandise such as t-shirts, earrings and coffee beans will be available for purchase.
Although the ACCA often visits local schools or businesses to conduct outreach with ambassador birds, witnessing the animals in their habitats can offer a behind-the-scenes glimpse of the ACCA’s daily operations. The tours will also offer a unique look at birds that are not typically transported for external events due to temperament or size, including the bald eagles and turkey vultures.
“A live animal is a great teaching tool, and birds are a great gateway interest to get kids and adults interested in ecosystem health and protecting our environment in general,” said Fallon.
Visit ACCAWV.org or Facebook.com/ACCAWV for more information.
