Eugene’s Cascades Raptor Center to reopen after heavy storm damage

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — After dealing with serious damages and even temporarily losing one of their owls during the winter storm, the Cascades Raptor Center has set dates for its reopening.

Nearly three weeks after the center was forced to temporarily close due to the weather, the Center is set to reopen next week after over a thousand community members reached out to donate or volunteered to help fix the damage.

“It’s been really incredible,” said Maddy Broedel, Development Director. “We have notes from hundreds of people, of all different ages and from all over the country. One of the notes was from an 11-year old donating to their favorite owl. It really warms your heart.”

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Through the donations from the community, the Center has raised enough to fix the storm damages, pay their team, and continue to operate their Wildlife Hospital.

“I’ve always known that our community stands behind us, but I’ve been blown away and overwhelmed by the sheer amount of support we’ve received,” said Executive Director Julie Collins. “The community’s passion has been incredible, and it’s truly reminded me why we’re doing this work.”

The Center announced they will be open to the public on Friday, February 9 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with a special private soft opening on Thursday, February 8 free to any members of the public who donated to the effort or volunteered on-site during repairs.

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However, the Center acknowledged there is still work to be done, including reconstruction of damaged aviaries and putting up new fencing around tree-damaged areas.

But the Center said in a Friday press release they are still eager to reopen and “continue [their] mission of connecting people to wildlife.”

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