Programs draw on the expertise of Sanctuary educators and on visiting naturalists and scientists. Thousands of students visit the Sanctuary each year. Many enjoy organized school programs and guided hikes led by experienced staff, interns, and volunteers. The Sanctuary also holds frequent teacher-training workshops.
Raptors provide a compelling focus for teaching a range of conservation issues.
Informal weekend programs in spring and autumn feature live birds of prey, as well as guided walks along Sanctuary trails. Special classes spotlight nature events and the flora and fauna of the central Appalachian mountains. Birding with Binoculars teaches children and adults alike the whys and wherefores of binocular use and raptor identification. College-level courses at Hawk Mountain are offered in cooperation with Cedar Crest College in Allentown, Pennsylvania. The courses, which can be taken for undergraduate credit, concentrate on raptor ecology, hawk migration, and ornithology.