SHREVEPORT, La. (April 19, 2023) – Earth Day celebrations at SWEPCO’s Eagle Watch Nature Trail will focus on birds, bees and butterflies. The Saturday, April 22 program includes a release of a red shouldered hawk along with hands-on gardening activities to prep pollinator beds.
The free program begins at 9:30 a.m., Saturday, April 22 at Eagle Watch Nature Trail, located on Hwy 12 one mile east of Gentry. The public is invited to attend.
Flint Creek’s 65-acre Eagle Watch Nature Trail includes a half-mile walking trail and wildlife viewing pavilions. Built in 1999 on SWEPCO Lake, the power plant’s cooling reservoir, Eagle Watch is open to the public at no charge year-round.
The Earth Day event kicks off at 9:30 a.m. as participants will join with local 4H volunteers for hands-on gardening to weed, prep and plant pollinator beds.
“This is a great time for children and families to enjoy nature,” Sara Vestfals, Flint Creek Power Plant Manager said. “We look forward to welcoming our neighbors to this special place.”
Presentations begin at 11:00 a.m. and will include:
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Insects Alive! - Remarks from retired University of Arkansas Entomologist Don Steinkraus who will share his passion for the insect world and discuss the science, applications and beauty in entomology and importance of pollinators including butterflies and moths in our ecosystem.
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Raptor Release – Northsong Wild Bird Rehabilitation (NWBR), with contributions from AEP Foundation at the recommendation of SWEPCO, supported the rehabilitation of a Red Shouldered Hawk who was struck by a vehicle in early January and suffered severe trauma. The hawk has been recovering at NWBR and is now ready to soar again!
“Across our service territory, Southwestern Electric Power Company (SWEPCO) employees proudly practice environmental stewardship to preserve the natural ecosystems where we live and operate. The Eagle Watch Nature Trail is an important example of doing just that,” said Brett Mattison, SWEPCO president and COO.
Approximately 700 acres of the power plant’s 1,600 acres are designated as wildlife habitat.
Although wintering bald eagles are the main attraction at Eagle Watch, more than 180 bird species have been identified. Mammals in the area include foxes, deer and beaver. Reptiles and amphibians include various species of lizards, turtles, snakes, toads and frogs. The pavilions include plant and animal identification displays.
Flint Creek, a 528-megawatt, coal-fueled power plant, is owned by Southwestern Electric Power Company (SWEPCO) and Arkansas Electric Cooperative Corp. (AECC). It is operated by SWEPCO and has been producing electricity for Northwest Arkansas for the past 45 years.
SWEPCO serves more than 551,000 customers in three states, including approximately 126,000 in Arkansas.
About Southwestern Electric Power Co. (SWEPCO)
About American Electric Power (AEP)
American Electric Power, based in Columbus, Ohio, is powering a cleaner, brighter energy future for its customers and communities. AEP’s approximately 17,000 employees operate and maintain the nation’s largest electricity transmission system and more than 224,000 miles of distribution lines to safely deliver reliable and affordable power to 5.5 million regulated customers in 11 states. AEP also is one of the nation’s largest electricity producers with approximately 31,000 megawatts of diverse generating capacity, including more than 6,900 megawatts of renewable energy. The company’s plans include growing its renewable generation portfolio to approximately 50% of total capacity by 2032. AEP is on track to reach an 80% reduction in carbon dioxide emissions from 2005 levels by 2030 and has committed to achieving net zero by 2045. AEP is recognized consistently for its focus on sustainability, community engagement, diversity, equity and inclusion. AEP’s family of companies includes utilities AEP Ohio, AEP Texas, Appalachian Power (in Virginia and West Virginia), AEP Appalachian Power (in Tennessee), Indiana Michigan Power, Kentucky Power, Public Service Company of Oklahoma, and Southwestern Electric Power Company (in Arkansas, Louisiana, east Texas and the Texas Panhandle). AEP also owns AEP Energy, which provides innovative competitive energy solutions nationwide. For more information, visit aep.com.