MK Nature Center plans to build small aviary

Kindergarten students at Boise's ANSER charter school didn't think it was right that the owl visiting their classroom spent it's days in a small crate, so they raised $155 towards a new aviary proposed by Fish & Game. "To make a big outdoor cage," said Kindergarten student Trevor Hattabaugh. The kindergarteners know a lot about birds, they've spent the whole school year on an "expedition" to study the feathered creatures. The idea is to teach science, math, geography and even dance using birds as a vehicle for learning. In addition, the concept of public service plays a large role in the lesson plans. "When Christmas time came and we were going to be selling some bird feeders and talking about what to do with the money, the children decided they wanted to put that money toward the first step in building that aviary," said Kindergarten Teacher Jane Dunbar. The MK Nature Center currently has two birds, a saw-whet owl and a kestrel. Both are at the Center because they were injured and can no longer live in the wild. The small aviary being planned for the Nature Center would give the birds a more natural place to live and allow the public to view them on a regular basis, according to Dave Cannamela, Nature Center Superintendent. "We're talking about an outdoor facility where the birds would have a box inside that outdoor facility where they would feel safe, comfortable, they'd be protected. But at the same time, get some sunshine, fresh air and have people be able to see those birds." The plan is to build an atrium on the side of the building that will house four to six birds. Cannamela said the project would cost fifteen to twenty thousand dollars. He hopes to build with enough spaces to accommodate "guest" birds. "If somebody wanted to come in for the weekend and we wanted to do a Birds of Prey presentation, we could house those birds from the World Center," said Cannamela. And those kids who raised the first few dollars? "They're going to come over and help move rocks and pull weeds and plant things, whatever it is that we decide to do for the birds. So it's a pretty neat project, " said Cannamela. Donations towards the Nature Center Aviary can be made by contacting The Fish & Wildlife Foundation at 208-334-2648.