National Save the Eagles Day: How You Can Help
National Save the Eagles Day arrives each January 10th. This awareness event celebrates one of conservation's greatest success stories.
The day emerged from a 2015 New Jersey community effort to protect two nesting bald eagles named Alice and Al. Local residents faced down development threats at Overpeck Creek; their victory sparked a national movement for eagle conservation.
Today, the observance highlights ongoing protection needs for both bald and golden eagles across North America.
Key Info: National Save the Eagles Day
- When is National Save the Eagles Day?
Occurs annually on the 10th of January - This Year (2026):
Saturday, January 10, 2026 (date has passed) -
Future Dates
- Sunday, January 10, 2027
- Monday, January 10, 2028
- Wednesday, January 10, 2029
- Thursday, January 10, 2030
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Additional Details
- Observed By: Wildlife conservation groups, eagle enthusiasts, and environmental advocates across the United States
- Where Is It Observed: United States
- Primary Theme: Eagle Conservation and Habitat Protection
- Hashtags: #SaveTheEagles #EagleConservation #BaldEagles #GoldenEagles #WildlifeProtection #NationalSaveTheEaglesDay #EagleAwareness #BirdsOfPrey #WildlifeConservation #ProtectEagles
Quick Links: National Save the Eagles Day
The Alice and Al Story - Why This Day Exists
Alice earned her name from Alice Leurck, who first photographed the bird during a Bergen County Audubon Society field trip at Overpeck Park in 2010. Her partner, Al, soon joined her along the creek's marshy edges. These eagles chose one of America's most urbanized nesting sites in Bergen County. Not exactly wilderness.
Their habitat faced destruction in 2014. Developers proposed a landfill project at their Ridgefield Village Park nesting site. The Bergen County Audubon Society mobilized community support. Local residents understood something special existed in their neighborhood.
Petition drives gathered momentum through social media campaigns. The eagles became symbols of hope for everyday people and dedicated conservationists alike.
Victory arrived in 2015. Community pressure successfully blocked the development project. The site transformed into an eagle park instead. January 10th became National Save the Eagles Day to commemorate this practical protection effort.
Timeline
Community establishes National Save the Eagles Day (January 10) to protect Alice and Al
Successful campaign prevents landfill development at Overpeck Creek eagle habitat
Local initiative grows into national eagle conservation awareness movement
Conservation Challenges Eagles Face Today
Modern eagles face different threats than Alice and Al encountered. Habitat destruction remains an important concern as development expands into traditional nesting areas.
Lead poisoning creates an invisible danger that affects 46-47 percent of bald eagles across 38 states[1]. The poison occurs when eagles consume carrion containing ammunition fragments during hunting seasons.
Environmental pollution shapes eagle health in various ways. Mercury buildup in fish affects eagles that rely on aquatic prey. Does your community monitor local eagle populations for these emerging threats?
Poaching pressures persist in some regions. Power line collisions represent another preventable source of mortality. Each challenge requires targeted solutions that communities can implement locally. Most fixes start with awareness.
How to Participate in National Save the Eagles Day
- Visit eagle-watching locations near major rivers, lakes, and coastal areas where eagles concentrate during the winter months
- Support wildlife sanctuaries through direct donations to facilities that rehabilitate injured eagles and provide educational programs
- Organize family activities, including nature walks, documentary screenings, and educational presentations at schools or community centers
- Share awareness campaigns on social media using #SaveTheEaglesDay and posting local eagle photography with conservation messages
- Join community conservation projects such as habitat restoration, nest monitoring, or citizen science programs that track eagle populations
- Advocate for lead-free ammunition by supporting hunters' transition to non-toxic alternatives that prevent eagle poisoning
- Create educational displays highlighting eagle recovery success stories and current conservation needs in libraries, schools, or community centers
- Participate in eagle counts organized by local Audubon chapters or wildlife agencies that contribute valuable population data
Making an Effect Beyond January 10th
Year-round conservation support creates lasting change for eagle populations. According to research, the species rebounded from just 417 breeding pairs in 1963 to roughly 71,400 nesting pairs by 2020. This remarkable recovery points to what sustained community action can achieve.
Connect with ongoing eagle protection initiatives in your region. Many communities replicate the Alice and Al conservation model by protecting local nesting sites.
Your involvement today helps ensure future generations can witness eagles soaring above their neighborhoods. This connects directly to general progress in wildlife conservation efforts nationwide.
Resources:
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
You'll spot the difference pretty quickly once you know what to look for. Bald eagles stick close to rivers and lakes - they're basically fish specialists. Those famous white head feathers? They don't show up until the bird hits 4-5 years old. Golden eagles prefer mountains and keep their brown-gold head coloring their whole lives. They hunt rabbits and ground squirrels instead of fish. Beyond this basic split, both face the same threats. Lead poisoning kills both species when they eat contaminated prey. This relates to why the day covers both - protecting one helps protect the other.
Absolutely. The Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act still has teeth, and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act backs it up. Recently, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service published new rules in February that took effect this April. These updated regulations tackle a tricky balance - how do you protect eagles while allowing wind farms and power lines to expand? The answer involves stricter permitting processes. Companies now face tougher requirements before they can build in eagle territory. This suggests the government isn't backing down on eagle protection, even with renewable energy pushing forward.
Hit the trail between 7-10 AM if you want your best shot. Eagles need open water to fish, so they cluster around rivers and lakes that haven't frozen over. January brings an extra bonus - northern eagles migrate south for winter. This means more birds in prime viewing spots. Look for massive stick nests in tall trees near water. And watch for their flight pattern - eagles soar with barely any wing movement, unlike hawks that flap more often.
The numbers tell an interesting story. When the day launched in 2015, bald eagles had already bounced back from near-extinction. We're talking about 300,000+ birds total after their 2007 removal from the endangered list. Today, government records show about 7,066 nesting pairs in the lower 48 states. That's a different way of counting, but it points to steady population levels. The recovery program worked, and these numbers prove it's holding.
Local efforts pack more punch than you'd think. Each protected nest site can add 20-30 eagles to the population over a breeding pair's lifetime. The Alice and Al model has spread to dozens of communities now. Beyond this direct impact, community campaigns influence bigger policy decisions. When locals fight development near eagle nests, they're protecting critical habitat that affects regional populations. And this connects to something important - conservation works best when it starts at the community level and scales up.
Sources & References
- [1]
- Slabe, V. A., et al. (2022). Demographic implications of lead poisoning for eagles across North America. Science, 375(6582), 779–782.
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Barbara is a former journalist who is passionate about translating important causes into engaging narratives. She combines communication expertise with an environmental science background to create accessible, fact-driven content.
