Submitted Photo Cut paper artist Wendy Bale is pictured with her framed work of Audubon Community Nature Center’s Bald Eagle, Liberty. Bale is donating her art as a fundraiser for Audubon.

Monday, Aug. 1, is the last opportunity to support Audubon Community Nature Center’s Eagle Art Raffle and possibly win a paper cut of Audubon’s Bald Eagle, Liberty.

Valued at $250, the artwork is intricately hand cut from archival paper and displayed in a 12×12″ shadowbox frame. Handcrafted and donated by Wendy Bale, local artist and Audubon supporter, it is on display at the reception desk at the nature center

Audubon is celebrating 20 years of Liberty this year. The Bald Eagle, who has a permanent injury to her wing, came to Audubon in 2002. She has inspired countless people to learn more about eagles, including Bale. Widely known for her hand-cut paper sculptures and charcoal art, Bale created this work by painstakingly cutting paper for many hours. The former ACNC Board member is also a member of the Guild of American Paper Cutters.

Tickets are $5 each or 3 for $10. Income from the raffle will directly support Liberty and the two new live birds of prey joining her. Purchase raffle tickets in person at the Nature Center or online at go.rallyup.com/ForLiberty, where those interested can see a close-up of the art. The winner will be announced on Tuesday, Aug. 2, at 10 a.m.

Also in honor of Liberty’s 20th anniversary, Audubon brought back the original name to its annual 5K run/walk. Details about the Run for Liberty on Saturday, July 30, can be found by clicking through “Upcoming Programs” at AudubonCNC.org.

The Audubon Community Nature Center is located at 1600 Riverside Road, one-quarter mile east of Route 62 between Jamestown and Warren. Visit the 600-acre nature preserve to see Liberty, enjoy the native tree arboretum, gardens, picnic areas and natural play space and hike the six miles of trails dawn until dusk daily for free.

The three-story Nature Center building houses interactive displays, a collection of live animals including the Hellbender exhibit, the 2021 Nature Photography Contest winners, and the Blue Heron Gift Shop. Visitors are welcome Mondays through Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Sundays, 1 to 4:30 p.m. Nature Center members and SNAP/EBT cardholders have free building admission daily. Building admission is also free every Sunday for non-Nature Center members. Face coverings are strongly recommended while visiting inside the Nature Center building.

To learn more about Audubon and its programs, call 716-569-2345, find Audubon Community Nature Center on Facebook, or visit AudubonCNC.org. Entries to the 2022 Nature Photography Contest and votes for the Community Choice winners can be made at GoGoPhotoContest.com/ACNCPhotoContest.