Return to the Sky: The Reintroduction of the Bald Eagle, by Dr. Tina Morris

Welcome to our 2026 Connecticut River Lecture Series. Our first lecture is by Tina Morris. Bring your copy of her book, Return to the Sky: The Reintroduction of the Bald Eagle, to the lecture at the Old Lyme Town Hall to be signed by Tina Morris herself. Engage in Q&A and enjoy light refreshments and hors d'oeuvres.

As the bald eagle, our national symbol, was facing extinction in the continental U.S. in 1976, Tina Morris was beginning her graduate work at Cornell University. By luck and circumstance, she was selected to reintroduce the species into New York State in the hope that eagles could repopulate eastern North America. Young, female, with no experience, she faced the challenges of saving this iconic bird while striving for acceptance in the unfamiliar male-dominated world of raptor biology. Playing mother to seven eagles forced her to transcend the isolation and tedium of field research to rescue an endangered species while in turn rescuing herself.

Tina Morris completed her graduate work in ornithology and wildlife biology at Cornell in 1978, writing her thesis on the adaptations of hacking techniques to reintroduce bald eagles. Following her studies at Cornell, she worked for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Nature Conservancy for several years, focusing on endangered species and critical habitat conservation, before embarking on a 23-year career teaching English and biology. Since her retirement in 2020, she has devoted her time to her own writing, especially creative non-fiction with a science or nature focus. Thirty years ago, with four children in tow, Tina and her husband bought a farm in northern Massachusetts, which they manage as a wildlife sanctuary, promoting biodiversity and habitat protection for species in decline.

Thursday, March 5, 5-6pm

Old Lyme Town Hall
52 Lyme Street
Old Lyme, CT 06371

The lecture is free, but seating is limited. We ask that you respond (acceptances only) by calling our office: (860) 598-4218 or registering online: 
https://ctaudubon.org/2026/01/register-ct-river-lecture-series-3-5-26/

Find out about our other upcoming, fantastic lectures in the 2026 Lecture Series: Biodiversity in the Connecticut River Watershed here:

Whether you are a nature enthusiast, educator, or curious community member, this series offers a deeper understanding of the Connecticut River as a dynamic, living system: one that connects us all. 
This program brings together scientists, conservationists, and storytellers to explore the remarkable species shaped by—and shaping—New England’s largest river system.
From the delicate, continent-spanning migration of monarch butterflies to the quiet resurgence of black bears in forested corridors; from tautog navigating rocky coastal habitats to bald eagles reclaiming river skies; and from river outflow to the surprising presence of sharks in connected waters, these experts reveal how land, water, and wildlife are inseparably linked. Together, the lectures illuminate ecological connections, conservation challenges, and hopeful success stories across the watershed.
Together, the lectures illuminate ecological connections, conservation challenges, and hopeful success stories across the watershed. 

The Roger Tory Peterson Estuary Center, is located in the Connecticut River Estuary, an area designated as one of the world's "Last Great Places." 
The mission of the Roger Tory Peterson Estuary Center is the conservation and stewardship of the coal and estuarine environment of southeastern Connecticut, with a particular focus on the Connecticut River Estuary and its watershed. 
Our center is dedicated to the conservation and preservation of the estuary ecosystem and for children, teens and adults, facilitating scientific research and promoting outreach and advocacy to preserve, protect and conserve its beauty for generations. 
We invite you to learn more about us. Stroll around our property. Visit our website at ctaudubon.org/rtpec and explore the many programs and activities we offer. Register for a program.