The Shepaug Dam Observation Area Bald Eagle volunteers are a diverse group who come from many walks
of life including retirement. Many volunteers come to the dam year after year to give four hours per shift
to the visitors to the dam. Some volunteers "work" at the dam every day it's open during the season. Some
new volunteers join us every year and some leave us. Over all, however, most volunteers are experienced and have been
volunteering at the dam for many seasons. Our volunteers donate hundreds of hours each year.
Many of our volunteers start with very little traditional "birding" experience, but all volunteers
come to the dam with an intense interest in bald eagles. Over a few seasons of volunteering, our volunteers become
competent birders and expert "eagle" interpreters. Some of our volunteers are expert "birders" and go
out of their way to share their passion for birding with our guests.
We are recruited by Connecticut Audubon, each Fall, and trained in a four hour training session in New
Milford by Connecticut's DEP and First Light Power. The training session is followed by an exclusive "first of the season"
field trip to the dam. The field trip is a "behind the scenes" experience which frequently permits our first views of
bald eagles for the season.
If you've enjoyed the work of our volunteers on one of your visits to the dam, please consider joining
us. For more information pertaining to volunteering, please consult our
volunteering webpage.
