|
For more information
contact:
Email:
|
Mark Nixon :
517-702-6735
MDN@LBWL.COM
|
BWL, Lansing schoolchildren unveil the FalconCam at Moores Park Elementary School
The Lansing Board of Water & Light and students from Moores Park Elementary School today unveiled the new “FalconCam” during a special event at the school.
The FalconCam, a remotely operated Web camera, allows anyone with access to the Internet to watch Lansing 's only peregrine falcons as they nest.
Since September of 2007, Moores Park schoolchildren have collected coins to buy the Web camera, which has now been installed atop the BWL's Eckert Power Station. BWL employees also contributed to buying the FalconCam, and BWL technical crews installed the camera, software and other equipment necessary to bring the FalconCam online.
“The FalconCam will be a great learning tool for all of Lansing 's schoolchildren,” said BWL General Manager J. Peter Lark. “Peregrines are an endangered species of bird. Our FalconCam literally provides a window on their world, which hopefully will give children a greater appreciation of this bird and its place in the environment.”
The Moores Park schoolchildren raised more than $700 in their “Pennies for Peregrines” campaign. The public contributed more than $300 to the project, which includes a $200 donation from the Michigan Wildlife Conservancy.
BWL employees contributed nearly $900 to the FalconCam fund. The camera cost slightly more than $2,000.
Dina Maneval , a BWL employee and a devoted peregrine watcher, spearheaded the FalconCam project. “It's been a dream of mine for several years,” said Maneval. “The peregrine falcon is a magnificent bird – the fastest raptor on Earth. We are lucky to have Lansing 's only known pair of peregrines nesting at our Eckert Power Station.”
The FalconCam will serve as an interactive tool for children and adults to learn more about protecting endangered wildlife. Peregrine falcons remain on Michigan 's endangered species list. They had been on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's endangered species list until 1999.
Peregrines are birds of prey that can live up to 17 years. They are considered the fastest raptors on Earth. In a dive they can reach speeds of more than 186 miles an hour.
In the wild, peregrines nest on the edge of high cliffs. In urban settings, they often will nest in tall office buildings – or power plants.
###
