Forty years ago, when Bald Eagles had completely disappeared as nesting birds in Oklahoma, a small group of dedicated ornithologists, conservationists, and community leaders decided to take a bold step. In 1984, they founded the Sutton Center on 40 acres near Bartlesville, naming it in honor of the renowned Oklahoma ornithologist George “Doc” Sutton.

At the time, Bald Eagles — our national symbol — were in serious decline due to the effects of DDT, which caused their eggs to break before hatching. In the early 1980s, there were zero breeding pairs left in Oklahoma. Refusing to accept that loss, the Sutton Center launched an innovative recovery effort, using artificial incubation and carefully raising eaglets in a way that allowed them to remain truly wild.

Those bold techniques worked. The program helped restore Bald Eagles to Oklahoma skies and contributed to the species being removed from the Endangered Species List in 2007. Today, eagles are once again thriving across our state — a powerful testament to what vision, science, and community support can accomplish together.

In 2020, that success came full circle when a Bald Eagle nest was discovered right here on Sutton property. The following year, the pair moved to an alternate nest site nearby, where they have continued to raise young. Since 2021, we have had a live camera on this nest, allowing thousands of people to witness the daily life of these magnificent birds.

Now, forty years after that bold beginning, we invite you to be part of the next chapter as we name the two adult eagles nesting near our facility — celebrating not only their story, but the enduring legacy of conservation that brought eagles back to Oklahoma skies.