GRAND TRAVERSE CITY, Mich., (WPBN/WGTU) — A Grand Traverse County wildlife rehabilitation group that has helped save hundreds of birds of prey is now setting its sights on a major expansion.
North Sky Raptor Sanctuary, founded in 2018, hopes to build a state-of-the-art bird of prey hospital and immersive education center at the former Camp Greilick site — a project leaders say would expand their impact on both raptors and the community for generations to come.
“They’re just fascinating creatures,” North Sky Raptor Sanctuary Co-Founder Jeffrey Bohnet said.
And that fascination certainly drives Jeff and Kaitlyn Bohnet, along with the rest of the crew at North Sky Raptor Sanctuary in Grand Traverse County.
“We were founded in 2018, and our mission is to rehabilitate birds of prey,” Bohnet said.
In eight years, they’ve helped nurse back to health, and possibly reintroduced a lot of these animals.
“Between 700 and 800 birds over the existence of the organization,” Bohnet said.
They spend a lot of time healing and educating.
“We measure it at almost 10,000 participants for our educational programming in 2025,” Bohnet said.
Big numbers and big impact, but North Sky has even bigger visions for the future.
“One of the most common questions we get is, ‘Where can we visit you?’” Bohnet said. “And the answer is, ‘Well, where would you like us to visit you?’ So, we’re working on this opportunity because the need is definitely there.”
That opportunity may be found at Grand Traverse County’s newest park: The former Camp Greilick.
“We’re working very closely with the county to put together a long-term land lease because this project is intended to be a resource for the community for generations,” Bohnet said.
And this would be that resource.
“The focal point of the sanctuary is a state-of-the-art bird of prey hospital alongside an immersive wildlife education center,” Bohnet said.
A 5,000 square foot flight enclosure, a surgical observation suite, lending library and lots of opportunities for them to do their work while also providing a unique educational opportunity for visitors.
“The closest zoo or a wildlife center with live animal programming is roughly two hours away, which makes it relatively inaccessible to most school districts and many families in the area,” Bohnet said.
They’re finalizing a capital campaign which they hope to launch at the end of the year, landing naming sponsors for exhibits.
“We’ve been fortunate to already have some significant funding come in which has been very reassuring,” Bohnet said.
Reassuring to the work they are already doing; and they work, mission, and impact they hope to have in the future.
“The more segments of our community that we can engage with, the better opportunity we have to make an impact with our mission, and we know that conservation starts with education,” Bohnet said.
The raptor sanctuary is in its construction planning and fundraising campaign right now.