Peregrine Falcons: From Wilderness Cliffs to Cleveland Skyscrapers

Capable of reaching speeds exceeding 200 miles per hour in a hunting dive, the Peregrine Falcon is the fastest bird on Earth. Powerful, graceful, and remarkably adaptable, it is one of nature’s most awe-inspiring predators.

Yet by the late 1960s, pesticide contamination had eliminated Peregrine Falcons from much of their historic range and pushed the species perilously close to extinction. What followed became one of conservation’s most remarkable success stories. Peregrines not only returned—they adapted, exchanging remote cliffs for bridges and skyscrapers in the “urban canyons” of American cities.

This richly illustrated program explores the thousand-year relationship between Peregrine Falcons and people, chronicles the species’ dramatic decline and recovery, and reveals how these once-rare birds learned to thrive in unexpected places. At the heart of the presentation is the unforgettable story of the Peregrine Falcons that made Cleveland’s Terminal Tower their home, captivating generations of Northeast Ohioans and offering a powerful example of resilience, adaptation, and successful conservation.

We are grateful to ✨Richard and Christie Frenchie✨, our Membership Program presenting sponsors, and their generous nature-related philanthropy in Geauga County!

About the Presenter:

Harvey Webster is Ambassador Emeritus and retired Chief Wildlife Officer and Museum Ambassador at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History, where he spent 47 years connecting people with the natural world. Inducted into the Ohio Natural Resources Hall of Fame in 2025, he helped pioneer Ohio’s bald eagle restoration and oversaw the Perkins Wildlife Center & Woods Garden and Wildlife Resource Center. Harvey serves on the boards of the Audubon Society of Greater Cleveland, Winous Point Marsh Conservancy and Red Oak Camp, and continues to present programs on natural history and conservation.

Ticket price for this Nature Education program is $12 - proceeds support the Foundation for Geauga Parks’ work to conserve land, enhance parks and trails, and connect people with nature through education and outdoor experiences across Geauga County.

This series is included in the Foundation for Geauga Parks Membership Program:

-Friend level receives 20% off.

-Member level participants may attend at no cost.

-Member Plus level participants receive no-cost tickets for themselves AND a a friend attending with you.

Make sure you're logged into the website and when you enter your information and select your tickets, the membership option you chose will be applied.

If the event is canceled or postponed, registered attendees will be notified promptly and we will make every effort to reschedule. Unless otherwise noted, registrations and ticket purchases are nonrefundable.