Jason Beale, Animal Care Director at Shaver’s Creek Environmental Center. (Photo Courtesty of Shaver’s Creek Environmental Center)

Wednesday marked the start of the 24th annual Alaska Bald Eagle Festival. Every November, as thousands of bald eagles flock to the Chilkat Valley the American Bald Eagle Foundation and Raptor Center hosts a four day long celebration.

Thursday evening the foundation hosted a presentation by Jason Beale from Shaver’s Creek Environmental Center on the link between patriotism and the natural world. Before the event, Beale stopped by the studio at KHNS to discuss this idea.