Students Spread Their 'Wings Across America' With Up Close Wildlife Program

GREENBURGH, N.Y. -- This week, students at Woodlands Middle School and High School came face-to-face with Freedom, an impressive American Bald Eagle, as part of a presentation by the U.S. Forest Service's 'Wings Across the Americas' program.

Jo Santiago and Freedom met with Woodlands Middle and High schoolers this week.
Photo Credit: *Greenburgh School District*

Ty, a red tailed hawk, was also on display.
Photo Credit: *Greenburgh School District*

John Haffey

Content Partner: Greenburgh Central School District

Wildlife biologist Jo Santiago and program specialist Michael Rizo brought Freedom to Woodlands and explained to students how the bald eagle was injured in a dog attack and would unable to hunt and survive in the wild.

In addition to Freedom, the wildlife specialists also introduced students to Ty, a red-tailed hawk, Doc, a broad-winged hawk, and Zacchaeus, a merlin. Ms. Santiago, a rehabilitation specialist, grew up in the Spanish Harlem section of Manhattan and now lives in West Virginia, where she houses the four birds, who are all permanently injured, on her property.