Red-tailed hawk becomes Burgess-Shadbush Nature Center ambassador

SHELBY TOWNSHIP — The Burgess-Shadbush Nature Center has announced the arrival of its newest animal ambassador, a red-tailed hawk named Artemis.

The bird began living at the nature center May 23 in a home that a local Boy Scout constructed for her as an Eagle Scout service project.

Joe Youngblood, the Shelby Township parks, recreation, maintenance, nature center and senior center director, said the township is excited to have this addition to the nature center.

“We are thrilled to have such a wonderful project built by a local Eagle Scout and coordinated by Lizzy Schultz. This is the true meaning of community coming together to do something special,” he said via email. Schultz is the Burgess-Shadbush Nature Center coordinator.

The red-tailed hawk, according to the township, has a permanent wing injury that means it cannot be released into the wild. Multiple primary feathers on Artemis’ left wing are missing, and officials believe the injury was most likely due to West Nile virus. While the loss of the primary feathers prevents her from flying straight and for long distances, officials said that she is healthy and calm.

When the rehabilitators treating Artemis were trying to find her a permanent home, Schultz and the township offered a home at the nature center. The township stated in a press release that Schultz has 10 years of experience in wildlife education and is trained to identify signs of stress in birds of prey. Schultz has a bachelor’s degree in zoology from Michigan State University and a master’s degree in teaching biology from Miami University in Ohio.

“The new hawk will be an ambassador for her species, teaching visitors how to live in harmony with wildlife. We know she will help inspire the next generation to care for the natural world,” Schultz said in an email.

Andrew England is the Boy Scout from Troop 1478 who volunteered to build an enclosure for Artemis as his BSA Eagle Scout Service Project.

England raised $4,500 in donations from the congregation at St. Anne Catholic Church. The enclosure he created has two exhibit areas, giving the nature center room for another bird at some point in the future.

“My biggest takeaway was learning how much effort and preparation it takes to create a project of this size,” England said in the press release.

The nature center’s announcement of the hawk coincided with a naming contest for the bird. From late June until July 5, members of the public could voter for three potential names: Artemis, Gishek and Saffron. Last week, the township announced that Artemis, the Greek goddess of the hunt and wild animals, had won.

Schultz said the nature center’s animal ambassadors have a teaching role.

“When someone sees a living, breathing creature right in front of them, it’s incredibly impactful. Red-tailed hawks possess intelligence, confidence and caution. Earning their trust requires time and effort. So, every moment she allows me to get closer or maintains eye contact, it’s a truly rewarding experience. My goal is for her to visit classrooms, fostering a connection between the next generation and nature,” Schultz stated in the press release.

Schultz studied community-based conservation and youth programming in Mexico, Paraguay, Kenya and Namibia, in addition to eight years of experience in environmental education. She has experience working with wildlife including birds of prey.

“Lizzy Schultz has done an amazing job creating new programs, events and attractions like this for our wonderful nature center,” Youngblood said in the press release.

The Burgess-Shadbush Nature Center is free to visit from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Wednesdays-Saturdays, and noon to 5 p.m. Sundays. Staff requests that visitors approach Artemis’ enclosure “quietly and calmly” to make her transition to the nature center a smooth one.