We are uniquely located in one of the largest eagle wintering habitats in the northeast. Our educational and outreach efforts focus on the Upper Delaware River watershed in New York and Pennsylvania and the lower Hudson River Valley of New York.

Our mission

"To protect the eagle and other birds of prey and to promote habitat conservation through education, research and public involvement."

Our Goal

To provide the safest and least intrusive viewing experience through education, data collection and promoting a stewardship ethic.

The Eagle Institute grew out of a grassroots effort of people who wanted to help protect the large number of eagles that migrated to this area every winter and were concerned about the growing number of people who were coming to see them. Today, about 40 volunteers staff popular eagle viewing locations each winter to help visitors find the eagles and to provide helpful information to the eagle watcher. Equipped with binoculars and telescopes, the volunteers also monitor the eagle population, looking for wing tags, leg bands and other identifying markings. Observation blinds, signs and interpretive exhibits also help educate the eagle watcher.

We compile our data into Data Reports that we share with the experts who are responsible for making the resource management and protection decisions. In addition to the on-site volunteers, The Eagle Institute provides guided habitat field trips and promote Eagle Etiquette, so eagle watchers will know how to view eagles in the safest and least intrusive way. We act as an information clearinghouse for the thousands of people who seek information about eagles in this region each season.

We are supported by membership fees, grants and donations.

The Eagle Institute Board of Directors

Providing guidance on policy and procedure.

Lori Danuff McKean, President	Barryville, NY/Shohola, PA — As founder, director and the driving force behind the Eagle Institute, she has been monitoring eagle activity and working with various natural resource agencies in the region since 1991. She currently is employed as the assistant Director of Programs for the US Forest Service at Grey Towers National Historic Site in Milford, PA.
Dr. Valerie Freer, Vice-President	Ellenville, NY — Past President, NYS Ornithological Association, Retired chair, Science and Math Division, Sullivan County Community College Past President, Sullivan County Audubon Society Chair of the Steering Committee, NYS Breeding Bird Atlas project. A Board Member since the inception of the Institute, Valerie serves as our liaison to various environmental and ornithological organizations in the region.
Brad M. Orey	Easton, PA — Manager, printing and bulk mail Lafayette College — Easton, PA. Brad and his wife Denise have been volunteers with the Eagle Institute since 2000, devoted to their Sunday afternoon shift at the Mongaup observation blind. The Oreys love classic Corvettes and their Great Danes.
Ken Myett	Sparrowbush, NY — Working for an educational book publisher, Ken has volunteers with the Institute since 2002. In addition to assisting visitors at the Mongaup observation blind, he presents programs about the Institute and the eagles to service organizations in the region.
Barbara Butler	Verbank, NY — Retired, IBM, Poughkeepsie, NY; Co-author of Birds of Dutchess County, NY (published 2006). Actively involved in birding activities in Dutchess County, NY, Barbara is the Institute’s connection to eagle activity on the Hudson River and has assisted with public programs in those communities.


The Eagle Institute Technical Advisory Board

Providing technical advice and expertise on programs, projects and long-term planning.

Daniel Brauning, Wildlife Biologist, Ornithologist	Pennsylvania Game Commission
Peter Nye, Unit Leader	NYS Department of Environmental Conservation Endangered Species Unit
Ted Kerpez	NYS Department of Environmental Conservation
Bill & Stephanie Streeter	Delaware Valley Raptor Center
William Douglass, Executive Director	Upper Delaware Council
George Schuler	The Nature Conservancy Neversink Preserve
Sandra Schultz	National Park Service Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River
Alan Ambler	National Park Service Delaware Water Gap National Recreational Area
Representatives of the	Northeast PA Audubon Society and the Sullivan County Audubon Society

The Eagle Institute Support Staff

Lori Danuff McKean, Director – Shohola, PA – As founder, director and the driving force behind the Eagle Institute, she has been monitoring eagle activity and working with various natural resource agencies in the region since 1991. She currently is employed as the assistant Director of Programs for the US Forest Service at Grey Towers National Historic Site in Milford, PA.

Barbara Curry, Administrative Assistant – Narrowsburg, NY – Since 2000, Barbara has staffed the winter field office, assisting visitors, handling paperwork and mailings and answering the phone. She lives on the Delaware River and loves seeing eagles out of her window all winter long. A former social worker, she enjoys helping people.

Patricia Diness, Volunteer Coordinator – Otisville, NY – With years of experience running the volunteer program at a therapeutic horse riding establishment, Patricia has been the Institute’s Volunteer Coordinator since 2006. If Patricia isn’t firing off newsy emails to all of the volunteers to keep everyone apprised of important information, she can be found at one of the viewing sites on any given winter weekend, offering support (and sometimes hot chocolate) to the volunteers, bringing extra handwarmers or filling in when needed.

W Design, Dorene Warner and Cheryl McClafferty, Web Designers – Barryville, NY – With over 15 years experience in design
W Design is the Eagle Institute’s web designer and webmaster, consistently impressing all with there creative and technical skills and has assisted with numerous design projects, including the Eagle Observation Blind.

A copy of The Eagle Institute Certificate of Incorporation, IRS 501c3 determination letter and Incorporation By-laws are available for review at the corporate office location.