Salmon help attract bald eagles to the upper Skagit River valley

The center has provided community and natural history education for 6,000-10,000 visitors a year for 14 years.

Hundreds of bald eagles congregate in trees along the river, drawn by the salmon that are moving upstream to spawn. The center is located near several good observing spots and is a good starting point to any eagle viewing trip to the area. The park also is the pullout spot for many eagle-viewing river trips.

Located at the Howard Miller Steelhead Park in Rockport, the center will be open 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Fridays-Sundays through Jan. 29.

On Fridays, the center is available to host public and private school educational programs. On Saturdays, the center will present speakers, eagle information and guided walks along the Skagit River through the park. On Sundays, center staffers will offer eagle information and guided walks along the river.

Financial support from Puget Sound Energy, General Mills Foundation and Columbia Bank allow the center to open, said center officials.

A major part of the viewing season is the Skagit Eagle Festival. The 2012 event will be held each weekend in January. Activities will be held in Concrete, Rockport and Marblemount.

The festival features free tours, walks and educational programs. Presentations focus on more than just eagles, including grizzly bears and how to photograph wildlife and scenery. There also will be arts & crafts, wine tasting, river rafting, music, a dance and other outdoor and indoor activities.

IF YOU GO

Interpretive Center: For updates on weekends events, call the center at 360-853-7626.