What Programs and Activities Does Hawks Aloft Run?

Updated

Hawks Aloft, Inc. is a 501(c)3 nonprofit based in Albuquerque, New Mexico, incorporated in 1994. Its stated mission is to conserve indigenous wild birds and their habitats, and it pursues that through four named program areas: avian research, raptor rescue, conservation education, and cooperation with other organizations. If you are looking for a way to get involved — as a volunteer, donor, participant, or partner — the sections below map what the organization actually does and which activities are open to the public.

The four core program areas

Program area What it covers
Avian research Studying wild bird populations and the habitats they depend on
Raptor rescue Responding to birds of prey in need
Conservation education Teaching audiences about New Mexico's birds and landscapes
Cooperation with other organizations Partnering with outside groups on conservation work

The organization frames all four as connected: research informs rescue and education, and partnerships extend the reach of both. Its stated goal is preserving New Mexico's unique landscapes and wildlife populations "for many generations to come."

Public events and workshops

Hawks Aloft runs ticketed and reservation-based events alongside its ongoing programs. Confirmed from the site:

  • Inaugural NM Wildlife Conference Workshop & Symposium — November 6–7, 2026, at the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center in Albuquerque, NM. The site directs visitors to reserve a spot in advance.
  • BIRDS OF PREY: Photography Workshop — September 12, 2026.
  • Travel programs with Holbrook Travel — including "Return to the Pantanal: Magical Wildlife of the Northern Pantanal" (July 23–Aug 2, 2027) and "Thrill to the Miracle of Migration • Return to Panama, A River of Raptors" (October 13–28, 2027). A gallery from the October 2025 Pantanal trip is also published.

If you want to attend, note that these are scheduled events with specific dates and, for the conference, an explicit reservation step — plan around the calendar rather than expecting drop-in access.

Fundraising: the 2026–27 Raffle Quilt

The organization's current fundraiser is a raffle quilt featuring a Barn Owl, designed by Gail Garber and Cynthia Figueroa-McInteer and stitched by a group of volunteers, with machine quilting by Tisha Cavanaugh. Tickets are $1 each or 6 for $5, sold through the site's cart, and the winning ticket is drawn December 4, 2027. This is a concrete, low-cost way to support the work if you don't want to commit to a membership or a trip.

Membership and other ways to engage

The homepage offers "Become a Member" and "RENEW MEMBERSHIP" actions, so both new and returning members are served. A checkout page exists on the site, indicating that transactions (membership, raffle tickets, event reservations) are handled online. The site does not publish membership pricing or tier details on the pages reviewed here, so check the membership page directly before assuming a cost.

How to decide if this is relevant to you

  • If you're a birder or photographer in New Mexico: the photography workshop and the wildlife conference are the most direct fits.
  • If you want to travel with a conservation group: the Pantanal and Panama trips are multi-week, guided programs run with Holbrook Travel.
  • If you want to support without attending anything: the raffle quilt and membership are the lowest-commitment options.
  • If you're a researcher or organization: the "cooperation with other organizations" strand suggests partnership is part of the model, though the site doesn't detail a partnership process.

For current dates, prices, and availability, go to hawksaloft.org — event and raffle details change, and the site is the authoritative source for what's open now.