Amelia Hawkins sitting amongst nature. Have you ever looked into the Birmingham sky and noticed a red-tailed hawk or a turkey vulture circling far above? They’re easy to take for granted, but our birds of prey are an essential part of the ecosystem here, and I’d like to ask you to think about them for a moment.
My name is Amelia Hawkins. I’m a sophomore at UAB studying art, but I hope to propose an independently designed major in Natural Resources Management soon. I grew up around Birmingham, exploring Oak Mountain State Park and the Cahaba River and all the little patches of nature in this place we call home. I’ve always been fascinated by birds, and UAB offered me the perfect chance to learn more about them and bring that knowledge to other people!
I took the Honors College Service Learning course as a part of my personalized path in the spring semester of 2023. For my service project, I spent every Friday morning volunteering at the Treetop Trail at Oak Mountain State Park. It houses 12 non-releasable birds of prey for educational purposes, and my job was to feed them, clean up after them, and, most importantly, teach visitors about each one.
Great Horned Owls at the Treetop Trail at Oak Mountain State Park.From Princess, the intelligent albino Turkey Vulture that likes to play tug-of-war with my hat, to Junior, the crazy Great Horned Owl that thinks he’s a bat and tries to hang upside-down from the ceiling, I got to know each bird individually and shared their stories with the people that visited the trail. People would always end up asking why the birds were in captivity, and I would share about the injuries they’d received because they live so close to people.
Birds of prey are a cornerstone of our ecosystem, but they’re in danger. They keep rodent populations in check, which keeps our native plants uneaten, which makes sure plants can provide food and shelter for the rest of the environment. Unfortunately, our birds are constantly getting shot at, hit by cars, and attacked by dogs, and the forests they live in are getting cut smaller and smaller by the expansion of our city. I don’t want people to be scared or guilty, but I do want them to be aware of our wildlife so if they encounter an animal in danger they can take the initiative to do something to help.
I’m super thankful that UAB has given me the opportunity to take care of my ecosystem and the people and animals that call it home! The Honors College gives me so many opportunities to personalize my academic journey in ways like this that suit my interests and passions. As I move forward, I’d love to keep giving my time to the birds, but I’m hoping to look for other service opportunities around Birmingham as well. Maybe I’ll lead children in learning about animals at the zoo, or help clean up the Cahaba River, or plant pollinator gardens around the city! I’m super grateful for all the options I have with UAB, and I’m excited to keep learning! I hope you’re inspired to keep learning too.
