Flint Creek to take over raptor program

Itasca officials agreed Tuesday night to enter into negotiation agreements with Barrington-based Flint Creek Wildlife Rehabilitation to care for the popular raptor program.

The agreement would involve Flint Creek setting up shop at Itasca's Spring Brook Nature Center to take full responsibility for the raptors, which have been housed there for years.

The program allows the public to study raptors, or, birds of prey, at the nature center in a hands-on learning environment.

A month ago, the village announced it would dissolve the program due to low funding, but when hundreds of residents spoke up against the idea and expressed their passion for the program, village leaders reconsidered.

That's also when Flint Creek, a state and federally licensed wildlife rehabilitation center with another branch in Chicago, came into the picture.

On Tuesday night, Trustee Tom Reynolds said a group of independent residents expressed interest in taking over the raptor program and supporting it themselves instead of Flint Creek.

"If they had this organization, they should have been in here a month ago," Trustee Jeff Pruyn said. "I just think it's too late in the game."

Trustees agreed unanimously Tuesday that Flint Creek is the best current option, and everyone expressed interest in beginning negotiations.

Flint Creek won't eliminate any birds or programs, instead planning to maintain the programs. It also will bring back a bird rehabilitation program that the village cut several years ago due to low funding. The same volunteers will be doing the same work, and the nature center also will be marketed when Flint Creek markets its new location.

"We're very excited about Flint Creek," Trustee Mike Latoria said.