raptor ridge on cannon road
Discover Raptor Ridge and Our Raptor Ambassadors
Raptor Ridge was established in 2021 and brought four native raptor ambassadors, two owls and two falcons, to the Agua Hedionda Lagoon Foundation’s Discovery Campus. In 2025, the Discovery Campus welcomed an additional ambassador—a red-tailed hawk—bringing the total number of resident raptors to five.
This exhibit provides a unique opportunity for concentrated education about these incredible birds of prey, while also expanding outreach opportunities in the community.
Little Owl Thursdays
Come and meet our Western Screech Owl every Thursday at 3:00pm during Little Owl Thursdays
Falcon Feeding Fridays
Every Friday at 3:00pm enjoy an opportunity to see the falcons do what they do best – be carnivores! A Raptor Specialist or intern will answer any questions you may have about the falcons, and watch them up close and personal enjoying their dinner!
Raptor Ridge History
AHLF and The Raptor Institute
AHLF was founded in 1990 to serve our community by promoting environmental education, conservation, and meaningful access to the lagoon and its surrounding trails. Through our programs, we strive to inspire a new generation to develop reverence, joy, and appreciation for the land, the water, and the natural world.
In 2020, we began an exciting new chapter with the launch of our educational expansion, Raptor Ridge on Cannon Road, further strengthening our commitment to environmental learning and stewardship.
Our esteemed Academy of Environmental Stewardship program featured the Raptor Institute (a local San Diego environmental non-profit) starting in 2011.
About the Raptor Institute
Founded in 2011, The Raptor Institute was a federally recognized 501(c)3 California non-profit corporation based in San Diego. They focused their education and research on raptor species native to California and the desert southwest. With the goal to expose people to the wonders of nature in their local communities through outreach and education.
Due to the changes and restrictions in the educational world brought on by the Pandemic, The Raptor Institute was unable to continue with its highly regarded in person outreach programs. They partnered with the Agua Hedionda Lagoon Foundation to rehome four of their birds and continue their educational programming.
become a raptor intern
All volunteers who wish to work with our raptors must be over 18 years old and are required to complete one month of volunteering at the Discovery Campus at a minimum of 4 hours per week.
Upon successful completion, they may begin feeding and caring for the birds for an additional three months before learning how to handle the birds. With sufficient experience and training, interns will eventually be able to handle the birds independently and provide educational presentations with the birds.
If you are interested in beginning this program, please email our Discovery Center Director, Samantha Passovoy samantha.passovoy@aguahedionda.org
meet our raptors
Educational Outreach Opportunities
Book an outreach for your classroom, meeting, festival, event, educational gathering and more!
Interested in Booking a Raptor Presentation?
Donor and Sponsorship Opportunities
Habitat Enhancement donor
$6,000
Help expand Raptor Ridge to include a new habitat and receive a plaque with your name recognizing your contribution displayed near the new Raptor Ridge.
Give a hoot donor
$5,000
Plaque with name recognizing contribution displayed near Raptor Ridge, private encounter with 5 raptors and name announced at every outreach event for the year sponsored.
Happy Bird Visits (Annual Veterinarian Sponsorship)
$2,000
Plaque with name recognizing contribution displayed near Raptor Ridge
Falcon feeding friday donor
$1,200
Sponsor the raptor's food supply for one year and receive a shoutout with your name and/or business during every Falcon Feeding Friday for the year.
Education Internship donor
$500
Sponsor our Raptor Internship program and receive a thank you card from the inters and a shoutout with your name and/or business during Little Owl Thursday for the year.
Contributing Donor
$100
Photo with raptor of your choice (at a safe distance) to display proudly after a Little Owl Thursday or Falcon Feeding Friday presentation.