White-tailed Eagle Outreach Project
Bringing the story of the Isle of Wight’s eagles to life
The return of the white-tailed eagle to the Isle of Wight is one of the most exciting conservation stories happening right here on our doorstep.
In collaboration with Forestry England
Through our White-tailed Eagle Outreach Project, Wildheart Animal Sanctuary’s Learning & Discovery team brings this story into schools and communities across the island — helping children discover these magnificent birds, understand the role they play in our ecosystems, and feel connected to the wildlife living around them.
Through interactive learning, real-world artefacts, creative activities, storytelling and plenty of opportunities to ask questions, we’re helping the next generation discover why white-tailed eagles matter — and why protecting the natural world matters too.
Why white-tailed eagles?
The white-tailed eagle is the largest bird of prey in Europe, with an impressive wingspan that can reach around 2.4 metres.
Once widespread in Britain, white-tailed eagles were driven to extinction in England through historical persecution and other pressures. Their return is an extraordinary conservation story — and the Isle of Wight is now part of that story.
For children growing up on the island, these aren’t just birds they might see in a wildlife documentary. They are becoming part of the landscape around them.
That makes the white-tailed eagle a brilliant starting point for conversations about
conservation, reintroduction, ecosystems, habitats, adaptation and our relationship with the natural world.
From the classroom to the wild
Our outreach sessions are designed to make learning about white-tailed eagles hands-on, memorable and fun.
Sessions have been adapted for learners from Early Years through to Key Stage 2, as well as special educational provision. Rather than simply telling children about eagles, we give them opportunities to investigate, question, create and discover for themselves.
Children will:
- discover what a white-tailed eagle’s skull, claws and diet can tell us about how it lives;
- listen to recorded eagle calls and try to identify them;
- explore the adaptations that make an eagle such an effective predator;
- compare their own reach with the enormous wingspan of a white-tailed eagle;
- investigate the habitats eagles depend upon;
- learn about food chains and the role of predators within ecosystems;
- meet Steve the White-tailed Eagle, our much-loved project puppet;
- draw, paint and create their own eagle artwork;
- explore the story of the eagle’s return to the Isle of Wight; and
- think about how people can help wildlife thrive.
The project deliberately combines science with sensory, creative and embodied learning, helping children experience the scale and character of these remarkable birds rather than simply reading about them.
The original project was designed as an interactive, curriculum-linked session delivered by a qualified teacher, supported by artefacts, props and follow-up resources.
If your school has completed some White-tailed Eagle Collages and wish to have them added to the gallery then please send them to us at discovery@wildheartanimalsanctuary.org
A project that keeps growing
The outreach project began with an ambitious goal: to introduce children across the Isle of Wight to the white-tailed eagle story.
In its first year, we visited 39 primary schools and two home education groups, reaching more than 3,261 children — more than 270% of our original target. Sessions were adapted to suit different ages, abilities and school requirements.
The following year, the project reached approximately 2,000 children across 38 primary schools and one special school, with the outcome of this year’s project being a giant eagle mural! This was made up of over 800 tiles and was exhibited at Quay Arts.
In 2025–26, the project entered its third consecutive year, reaching approximately 2,000 children across 29 primary schools and one special provision. Sessions continued to be adapted from Early Years through Key Stage 2 and into Key Stage 3 special provision.
That means the project has now reached more than 7,000 children across its first three years!
From classroom curiosity to lasting impact
We want children to leave our sessions not just knowing more about white-tailed eagles, but feeling something about them.
In our first year, the impact was striking!
Before the session, 52% of children surveyed knew that white-tailed eagles lived on the Isle of Wight. Afterwards, this had risen to 100%.
The proportion who thought it was a good thing to have white-tailed eagles on the island rose from 52% to 97%.
Teachers told us that children continued talking about the eagles after the session, with some becoming excited about spotting them in the wild and others beginning to think about conservation as a possible future career.
By the second year, awareness was already beginning to spread beyond the schools we had visited: 60% of children and staff knew about the island’s white-tailed eagles before taking part, compared with 52% the previous year.
And sometimes the impact appears in wonderfully unexpected places.
One child told us:
“I’m so excited to tell my family all about the White-tailed Eagles. I’m going to see if we can go eagle spotting this weekend.”
Another school told us that children were still
“flying around the playground with their wings” after the session.
A beautiful poster all about the white-tailed eagle.
A lovely food chain describing the diet of a white-tailed eagle.
A drawing of our very own Education Emma who has been delivering the sessions along with Forestry England’s own Steve and Imogen.
Meet Steve the White-tailed Eagle
Every great learning project needs a memorable character — and ours has Steve.
Steve is our white-tailed eagle puppet and has become a firm favourite with children across the island.
His popularity has shown us just how powerful storytelling, role play and memorable characters can be when introducing children to conservation.
Steve has even appeared in a school end-of-year production, while children have continued to recognise him when encountering the project again.
A partnership for conservation education
The White-tailed Eagle Outreach Project has been developed by Wildheart Animal Sanctuary’s Learning & Discovery team in partnership with Forestry England, connecting conservation work with education and the local community.
The project was shortlisted for the Great British Wildlife Restoration Award, hosted by BIAZA at the Houses of Parliament in March 2026, recognising its commitment to conservation education and reconnecting people with nature.
Keep discovering
Explore our free resources
Download activities, vocabulary cards, quizzes and learning materials.
Bring Learning & Discovery to your school
Find out about Wildheart’s school and outreach opportunities.
Visit Wildheart Animal Sanctuary
Continue your learning with the animals, conservation stories and Learning & Discovery experiences at the Sanctuary.
Together we Discover. Together we Roar.
Have a question? We’re here to help.
01983 403 883 ext 124
discovery@wildheartanimalsanctuary.org
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Get in Touch
Wildheart Animal Sanctuary is a trading name of The Wildheart Trust, registered in England and Wales.
Company Number: 10238727, Registered Charity Number: 1171144. Registered Office: Wildheart Animal Sanctuary, Sandown, Isle of Wight, PO36 8QB.
Photography Credit: Chris Boyce, Keith Johnson, Charl Bailie; K1 Photography