The Three AEF Pillars:
Conserve, Educate, and Protect

American Eagle Foundation’s mission is divided into what we call the three AEF pillars: conservation, education, and protection. This page will provide an overview of each of these with additional information found throughout our website. If you would like to support AEF’s mission, please check out our Donation page or contact us!

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife, state agencies, conservation groups, and like-minded individuals must all do their part in protecting the bald eagle. One might say, “I know there are Federal and State laws in place to protect eagles, but what can I, as an individual, do to help?”

Actions include, but are not limited to the following:

• Protect eagle habitats. Notify your local state wildlife agency if you notice a disturbance of an eagle nest habitat area by an individual or a corporation.
• Keep safe distances from their nests and roost site so as not to disturb eagles.
• If a nest is blown from a tree, help monitor and protect the area for up to 3 complete breeding seasons. Many eagles will rebuild the same nest, or build a nest close by.
• Advocate for eagle friendly power lines in areas where eagles are present; write to your government officials to lobby against indiscriminate wind-turbines that kill thousands of eagles; avoid harmful pesticides that contaminate the environment and threaten wildlife.
• Landfill areas should immediately cover carcasses of euthanized animals to avoid other animals such as eagles being poisoned by them.
• Hunt and fish responsibly.

American Eagle Foundation’s mission to keep America’s eagles flying strong and free includes the pillar of Conservation and Protection.  Specifically, we engage in non-releasable bird care, Bald Eagle protection & advocacy, and creating & managing a Nest Egg Fund in order to maintain AEF programs designed to help the Bald Eagle.

Those words are as appropriate today as they were when Baba Dioum first spoke them in 1968 at the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources.

American Eagle Foundation lists Education as one if its 3 pillars upon which its Mission is based. To accomplish this, we invite people from all over the world to come visit us at our new facility – American Eagle Foundation headquarters is located on a 57-acre plot of land nestled in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains in Kodak, TN. This location is unprecedented in scale and home to the nation’s largest aviaries, with over 40+ resident raptors, you can see eagles, hawks, owls, falcons and vultures.

Stroll through our Raptor Museum and learn the story of world-famous bald eagles like Challenger and Osceola.  Test your knowledge about raptors, measure your wingspan against several native species, or capture the perfect selfie with our light up wings.

Kids can learn though play at Raptor Roost playground, opening this spring.  After “hatching” from our larger-than-life eagle’s nest, take flight on a zip-line, climb over a wing-shaped obstacle course and soar on the swings.

Visit the gift shop where you can find an array of eagle-themed merchandise, educational materials, and unique souvenirs.  “Adopt” a stuffie version of your favorite bird, with all proceeds from your purchase going directly to care for the live ones!

Click here to book your tour now! 

 Visit our live video HD cams on several bald eagle nests, where adults and children can watch eagle families go about their daily activities while caring for their young. An online Chat is featured, whereby those watching the eagles can ask questions or share observations with others. This Chat is monitored by Moderators and Cam Operators—individuals immersed in eagle knowledge, who welcome and help inform those who visit. Our moderators also encourage teachers to set up a scheduled viewing time just for their class, so the students can ask all the questions they want in a friendly, welcoming environment.

Our viewers can, without disturbing one eagle, see the lives of these magnificent creatures unfold from the comfort of their classrooms, computer rooms – or even their mobile devices.

In addition, AEF carries its outreach programs into hospitals, nursing homes, classrooms, parks, and corporate events with Birds of Prey shows featuring many of our non-releasable raptors (the stars of the show.)  The caregiver/handlers of these birds are knowledgeable and entertaining, and delight their audiences with stories unique to each bird and the species it represents.

At Dollywood, our Wings of America birds of prey show has educated millions of visitors, while providing a fast-paced, always entertaining hour of fun.

Challenger, the non-releasable, free-flying bald eagle has performed thousands of soul-stirring flights over stadiums and corporate events. He has inspired Senators and House Members; visited with the Secretary of the Interior, and even met United States Presidents. He has appeared on national TV shows and is undoubtedly the world’s most recognized bald eagle. Although Challenger retired from free flights in 2019, he continues to advocate for his species, raising awareness about the bald eagle and what it stands for.