As a “living museum,” the Audubon Center and Sanctuary will highlight their participation in New York State’s Museum Week with a special celebration of the 10th Anniversary of Liberty the Bald Eagle’s arrival at Audubon. (Photo of Liberty by Dave Cooney)

JAMESTOWN, NY –- Liberty, the Bald Eagle, came to live at the Audubon Center and Sanctuary on June 1, 2002.

As a “living museum,” Audubon will highlight their participation in New York State’s Museum Week with a special celebration of Liberty’s 10th Anniversary.

The festivities will begin with cake at noon on Friday, June 1, and continue till closing at 4:30. Behind-the-scenes tours of Liberty’s care facility will be offered at 1 p.m. and again at 4 p.m.

While supplies last, visitors will receive a special 10th Anniversary “I Love Liberty” pin.

The Audubon Center and Sanctuary is participating in New York State Museum Week which runs from May 31 through June 6, 2012. (Photo courtesy of iloveny.com)

Under the banner of “I Love New York,” New York State Museum Week runs from May 31 through June 6, 2012. All participating museum can be found from the “NYS Museum Week” link at www.iloveny.com.

Jamestown veterinarian and licensed wildlife rehabilitator Dr. William Seleen proposed the idea of Audubon providing a home for an eagle that could not survive in the wild but could provide extensive educational opportunities to visitors. It took six years of study and work to determine and build the proper habitat and secure the necessary permits for Audubon to house an eagle.

Liberty was found in Washington State with an injury in her left wing. The muscle damage was severe enough that wildlife veterinarians think she would not be able to hunt for herself in the wild, even though she can fly short distances in her enclosure. She had been waiting at a rehabilitation center for over a year for a permanent home.

For 10 years now, Liberty has been appreciated by countless visitors, cared for by an amazingly dedicated group of volunteers headed by Thom Armella, and funded by individuals and organizations who believe her presence is important for the community.

Regular building admissions apply for Liberty’s Anniversary celebration: members and children are free, non-member adults pay $5.

Individuals and organizations can help support Liberty the Bald Eagle in many ways.

For just $20, you can receive a personalized adoption certificate for Liberty with her biography and photograph.

Become Liberty’s sponsor for a week or a month and a large poster with your name will be placed at her enclosure. You will receive a thank you note and be listed in Audubon’s newsletter. A Week Sponsor is $150; a Month Sponsor is $500.

The Audubon Center and Sanctuary is at 1600 Riverside Road, off Route 62 between Jamestown and Warren. The Center’s building, with a nature store and exhibits of live fish, reptiles, amphibians and more, is open Monday-Saturday 10 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Sundays 1-4:30 p.m. Its five miles of trails, Bald Eagle viewing, arboretum, and gardens are open dawn to dusk every day.

For more information about Audubon and its many programs, call (716) 569-2345 or visit jamestownaudubon.org.