In the near future, I plan to introduce legislation to designate the month of October 2024 as "Hawk Mountain Sanctuary Bird Migration Month" in Pennsylvania.

My resolution will recognize that Hawk Mountain Sanctuary led the charge for full legal protection for migratory raptors, which occurred in 1972 with the passage of the Federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act.

In 2024, Hawk Mountain Sanctuary celebrated its 90th anniversary as a global leader in raptor conservation. Hawk Mountain continues to be a famous outdoor destination and economic driver in this Commonwealth with eight miles of trails, 2,800 acres of protected lands and an award-winning forest-stewardship program.

Migration is one of Nature's greatest phenomena, particularly during autumn in this Commonwealth and along the spine of the Appalachians, where favorable updrafts and thermals occur to help raptors migrate, saving energy as they undertake their long-distance journeys to southern wintering grounds.

The month of October allows people to take in the changing fall colors and the peak of raptor species diversity during the migration, encouraging visitors new and old to discover Pennsylvania's amazing natural history and resources.

Please join me in cosponsoring/supporting this important recognition of one of Pennsylvania’s, and our nation's, finest and most valuable conservation sites and events.

Thank you for your consideration of this proposal.