Through our birds of prey educational program, you will learn about the unique and beautiful adaptations that help these fantastic birds hunt and survive. Our educators usually bring Tommi, an extraordinary and gorgeous Red-Tailed Hawk. On our education tour, you will see Peregrine Falcons, Great Horned Owls, Goshawks, Red Tailed Hawks, and Great Horned Owls. You will also get to see a full-sized bald eagle nest, test your grip against some of the strongest grips in the animal kingdom and learn all sorts of great things about birds of prey.

The culmination of a dream of local veterinarian Dr. Rory Foster and his wife Linda, the Northwoods Wildlife Center was incorporated in 1979, and became a separate entity from his veterinarian clinic, Foster-Smith Animal Hospital in Minocqua, Wisconsin after a 2-day old fawn with a broken leg was admitted to his clinic. The Fosters were determined to help.  Soon after the fawn arrived, the Fosters began treating multitudes of other wild animal species brought to the clinic by concerned citizens.  It was then decided that the Fosters would form a non-profit organization dedicated to helping injured wildlife. The Northwoods Wildlife Center wildlife hospital was built next to the Foster-Smith Animal Hospital and was officially opened on June 19, 1982, becoming one of the first wildlife hospitals in the Midwest.

For more information about all of our 2025 summer programs, please click here or call the Mercer Public Library at 715-476-2366. Thanks to a sponsorship by the Friends of the Mercer Public Library, all summer programs are FREE and open to the public.