Our Mission
The Sutton Center was founded in 1983 as a nonprofit organization dedicated to finding cooperative conservation solutions for birds and the natural world through science and education.
Our biologists and governing board strive to protect natural resources and environments where birds live and breed. Through their efforts, the Center has become an internationally recognized leader in avian conservation.
Research and Conservation Programs
One of the Sutton Center’s most successful projects has been re-establishment of the bald eagle as a nesting bird in Oklahoma and other southeastern states. As a result, our national bird has been removed from the list of endangered and threatened wildlife.
Currently, the Center is researching the lesser prairie chicken, identifying threats and developing management techniques to halt the decline of this prairie icon.
Other projects include publication of papers related to our prairie songbird conservation program, as well as ongoing surveys of bald eagle nests in Oklahoma, and a seven-year undertaking to produce a full-color Oklahoma Winter Bird Atlas to accompany our Oklahoma Breeding Bird Atlas.
Education Programs
The Sutton Center places strong emphasis on education through programs including:
· It’s All About Birds!
More than a dozen native and exotic birds fly around the auditorium in an exciting presentation that teaches students about science, biology and the ecosystem. The show highlights the importance of birds in art, history, literature and philosophy.
· The Sutton Natural History Forum
Photographers and cinematographers from National Geographic have shared their experiences with more than 50,000 Tulsa area students at this annual event. In addition, the Sutton Center has awarded more than $40,000 in scholarships to conservation-minded Oklahoma students over the last three years.
· Bald Eagle Nest Camera
Continuous Web cam coverage provides a rare look at our national bird. Online visitors can watch bald eagles hunt, feed their young and defend the nest. To learn more, visit www.suttoncenter.org.
How You Can Help
As a nonprofit, the Sutton Center relies on the generous support of business leaders, as well as private and corporate foundations in the communities we serve. To learn more about helping or about our programs, contact the Center at 918-336-7778 or visit www.suttoncenter.org.
