Phillips 66 Bayway Refinery is sponsoring educational programming around the Union County Falcon Cam. The sponsorship brings no-cost wildlife education programs to administrators, teachers, and students throughout Union County. Students, scientists and other wildlife enthusiasts all over the world will have more opportunities to study a pair of rare peregrine falcons that have made their nest on the roof of the historic 17-story Union County Courthouse Tower, located in the center of midtown Elizabeth. The $25,000 donation will allow Conserve Wildlife Foundation to provide structured lessons for teachers and activities for students that incorporate next generation science standards in local schools. Each school will receive a museum-quality replica set of a peregrine falcon skull, talon and egg to reuse in future years along with the program materials including observation booklets for each of the students in grades 3 – 5.
Mike Bukowski, Bayway Refinery Manager stated, “The Phillips 66 company vision is providing energy, improving lives. Our Phillips 66 sustainability efforts are built on four pillars: operational excellence, environmental commitment, social responsibility, and economic performance. Bayway Refinery is proud to demonstrate our social responsibility with the sponsorship of the Peregrine Falcon Educational Programs in Union County. We are excited to be part of a program that will help make learning fun and inspire children within our community.”
The free Falcon Cam live stream is available at www.conservewildlifenj.org/education/uc-falconcam/.
(above) Third grade student at Linden School No. 4 Gabriella DeCampos is holding a model peregrine falcon skull – their skulls have evolved to be aerodynamic to such a great extent that aircraft designers use peregrines as a model for modern aircraft design.
Photo by Linden Public Schools.
