Programs
We offer specially scheduled programs both on- and off-site on days we are closed to the public and in the evenings for a variety of groups and organizations. Some programs are also offered as live, virtual programs.
Live owl programs are an exciting way to learn about the environment. The International Owl Center's wide selection of programs ensures that everyone will find a topic to fit their audience, from preschools to Audubon Societies. All special group programs must be scheduled in advance of your visit.
Programs are offered either on- or off-site but must be indoors in a generally insect-proof building due to the risk of West Nile Virus. Program length can be adjusted from 30 to 90 minutes depending on the program and audience, but 45-60 minutes is the usual length. Maximum group size at the Owl Center is 60.
Virtual programs are also available for remote groups in one place, participants in different locations, or a combination of the two. Different programs are geared for different ages, from pre-K to adult learners. We use a Zoom platform that allows up to 100 people to connect in meeting format, and can accommodate up to 500 in a webinar. We can use your connection if preferred.
All programs include a visit from one or more of our ambassador owls.
We do not allow our programs to be recorded.
Live owl programs are an exciting way to learn about the environment. The International Owl Center's wide selection of programs ensures that everyone will find a topic to fit their audience, from preschools to Audubon Societies. All special group programs must be scheduled in advance of your visit.
Programs are offered either on- or off-site but must be indoors in a generally insect-proof building due to the risk of West Nile Virus. Program length can be adjusted from 30 to 90 minutes depending on the program and audience, but 45-60 minutes is the usual length. Maximum group size at the Owl Center is 60.
Virtual programs are also available for remote groups in one place, participants in different locations, or a combination of the two. Different programs are geared for different ages, from pre-K to adult learners. We use a Zoom platform that allows up to 100 people to connect in meeting format, and can accommodate up to 500 in a webinar. We can use your connection if preferred.
All programs include a visit from one or more of our ambassador owls.
We do not allow our programs to be recorded.
To book a program or if you have questions, contact Andie at the International Owl Center at 507-896-6957 or [email protected]. Program fees are based on distance from Houston. Virtual programs are $150. Programs cancelled less than 48 hours in advance for a reason other than weather will be charged the full price.
Build an Owl - in person or virtual
Preschool to 2nd grade, libraries
Learn first-hand about owl adaptations by picking out the pieces and parts that belong to an owl and putting them into a "magic" box. If correct, a live owl comes out from under the magic box for a visit.
So You Want to be an Owl - in person only
Preschool to 3rd grade, libraries
Join us for an exciting program to learn first-hand about owls and their amazing behavior. Become an honorary owl by learning how to hunt, play, hoot, fly, survive dangers and raise owlets of your own. As a reward for becoming owls, you’ll get to meet a real live owl!
Owls and Us Game Show - in person only
2nd grade and older, 4-H, scouts, families
Get involved with this hands-on game show focusing on human-owl interactions and the basic questions everyone has about owls. Our most popular program for children.
Owl Detectives - in person or virtual
5th grade to nursing homes
Find out whooo's in your backyard! Discover how to identify owls by size, shape, sound, and silhouette in this interactive PowerPoint presentation.
**Northern and Grassland variations available.
Owls Through the Ages - in person or virtual
High school, general public adults, college, Road Scholar, Audubon
Owls are found all around the world and people have varying opinions about them. In this program, learn how owls are seen in different cultures, travel back in time to the very first owl cave carving, and find out how people are combating negative stereotypes about owls around the world.
Owl FAQs - in person or virtual
General public adults
Get the answers to our most common questions, and learn why "simple" questions about owls often don't have straightforward answers.
A Landowner's Guide to helping Owls - in person or virtual
Audubon, general public adults
Most land is privately owned, so private landowners (including homeowners with small lots) have the opportunity to collectively make a big positive impact for owls. While there are many things everyone can do to help owls even if they don’t own property, this presentation will focus specifically on what people who own land can do to make their slice of the world more owl-friendly. The presentation also includes a thorough discussion of nest boxes, species that use them, how to put them up and how to monitor them.
Injured Owl Rescue - in person or virtual
Audubon, nature centers
What should you do if you find an injured owl or other raptor? This training session will teach you how to safely catch a grounded raptor, what to put it in, some initial health assessment, how to transport the bird to give it the best chance for survival, and what you are and aren't allowed to do by law.
Respectful Owl Observation - in person or virtual
Audubon, general public adults
Everyone wants to see an owl in the wild, but owls are really good at not being seen. When they are found, owls tend to attract crowds, and often people are not aware of how they should behave to avoid stressing out the owls. This presentation illustrates the behaviors of relaxed owls and stressed owls as well as laying out a list of things to do and not to when observing or photographing owls.
Director's Programs
These are programs generally only given by Executive Director Karla Bloem.
American Barn Owl Research - in person or virtual
General public adults, college, Audubon
American Barn Owls are rare but increasing in Minnesota. Learn how we're keeping track of these elusive predators and why it's so hard to find them.
Raising the Roost: Future Owl Center Facility - in person or virtual
General public adults, Audubon
This program presents an in-depth look at why we need a new facility, what we have planned and how you can help us make it happen!
Real Life Great Horned Owl Soap Opera - in person or virtual
General public adults, college, Road Scholar, Audubon
First Victor evicted Wendell and Wheezy from their own territory. Then Wheezy got sick and died so Victor and Virginia ran Wendell off. When Rusty and Iris moved in, Scarlett Owl Hara showed up to try to steal Rusty and kill Alice. Virginia died, Hagar and Helga moved in, Helga disappeared and Jill left Jack for Hagar. If this sounds like a soap opera, it is! But it’s a real life, true as true can be owl soap opera that has taken place just outside of Houston, Minnesota and has formed the basis for our in-depth vocal study on Great Horned Owls.
Build an Owl - in person or virtual
Preschool to 2nd grade, libraries
Learn first-hand about owl adaptations by picking out the pieces and parts that belong to an owl and putting them into a "magic" box. If correct, a live owl comes out from under the magic box for a visit.
So You Want to be an Owl - in person only
Preschool to 3rd grade, libraries
Join us for an exciting program to learn first-hand about owls and their amazing behavior. Become an honorary owl by learning how to hunt, play, hoot, fly, survive dangers and raise owlets of your own. As a reward for becoming owls, you’ll get to meet a real live owl!
Owls and Us Game Show - in person only
2nd grade and older, 4-H, scouts, families
Get involved with this hands-on game show focusing on human-owl interactions and the basic questions everyone has about owls. Our most popular program for children.
Owl Detectives - in person or virtual
5th grade to nursing homes
Find out whooo's in your backyard! Discover how to identify owls by size, shape, sound, and silhouette in this interactive PowerPoint presentation.
**Northern and Grassland variations available.
Owls Through the Ages - in person or virtual
High school, general public adults, college, Road Scholar, Audubon
Owls are found all around the world and people have varying opinions about them. In this program, learn how owls are seen in different cultures, travel back in time to the very first owl cave carving, and find out how people are combating negative stereotypes about owls around the world.
Owl FAQs - in person or virtual
General public adults
Get the answers to our most common questions, and learn why "simple" questions about owls often don't have straightforward answers.
A Landowner's Guide to helping Owls - in person or virtual
Audubon, general public adults
Most land is privately owned, so private landowners (including homeowners with small lots) have the opportunity to collectively make a big positive impact for owls. While there are many things everyone can do to help owls even if they don’t own property, this presentation will focus specifically on what people who own land can do to make their slice of the world more owl-friendly. The presentation also includes a thorough discussion of nest boxes, species that use them, how to put them up and how to monitor them.
Injured Owl Rescue - in person or virtual
Audubon, nature centers
What should you do if you find an injured owl or other raptor? This training session will teach you how to safely catch a grounded raptor, what to put it in, some initial health assessment, how to transport the bird to give it the best chance for survival, and what you are and aren't allowed to do by law.
Respectful Owl Observation - in person or virtual
Audubon, general public adults
Everyone wants to see an owl in the wild, but owls are really good at not being seen. When they are found, owls tend to attract crowds, and often people are not aware of how they should behave to avoid stressing out the owls. This presentation illustrates the behaviors of relaxed owls and stressed owls as well as laying out a list of things to do and not to when observing or photographing owls.
Director's Programs
These are programs generally only given by Executive Director Karla Bloem.
American Barn Owl Research - in person or virtual
General public adults, college, Audubon
American Barn Owls are rare but increasing in Minnesota. Learn how we're keeping track of these elusive predators and why it's so hard to find them.
Raising the Roost: Future Owl Center Facility - in person or virtual
General public adults, Audubon
This program presents an in-depth look at why we need a new facility, what we have planned and how you can help us make it happen!
Real Life Great Horned Owl Soap Opera - in person or virtual
General public adults, college, Road Scholar, Audubon
First Victor evicted Wendell and Wheezy from their own territory. Then Wheezy got sick and died so Victor and Virginia ran Wendell off. When Rusty and Iris moved in, Scarlett Owl Hara showed up to try to steal Rusty and kill Alice. Virginia died, Hagar and Helga moved in, Helga disappeared and Jill left Jack for Hagar. If this sounds like a soap opera, it is! But it’s a real life, true as true can be owl soap opera that has taken place just outside of Houston, Minnesota and has formed the basis for our in-depth vocal study on Great Horned Owls.
