Celebrating 31 Years of Flying for the Environment
Soaring in an airplane, the interconnectedness of the landscape unfolds. From the air you can see the way landslides from a logging road carry mud downslope to the once-shaded river, choking it with silt so that it warms and slows and cannot support the wild salmon that used to swim up it to spawn. The view from a small plane reveals misuse of protected land, like off-road vehicle damage in a designated wilderness area or illegal mining operations in a Mesoamerican forest. From above, in fact, there’s not much you can’t see.
It’s this clarity that LightHawk has been providing for partner organizations, the media, decision-makers, community members and researchers since 1979, making us the largest and oldest volunteer-based environmental aviation organization in North America. We have completed thousands of flight missions involving more than 700 flights each year for hundreds of partners throughout ten countries in North and Central America.
Our missions have addressed a broad range of issues, strengthening our partners’ efforts by offering the aerial perspective on the issues they consider critical and enabling them to gather data and documentation for their campaigns. But most of all, the view from above speaks for itself, providing breathtaking clarity of understanding.
Explore LightHawk WayPoints for the stories behind the missions
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Latest News
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Our annual Fly-in will be in San Diego, California October 1-4, 2010. Check our Fly-in page for a continually-updated schedule of events and details. RSVP to Bev Gabe. |
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LightHawk's Summer newsletter is here |
Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill
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LightHawk is responding to the environmental and economic tragedy resulting from the accidental spill of oil and gas into the Gulf of Mexico. We are assisting our existing conservation partners in the affected areas and reaching out to new partners. LightHawk is also working cooperatively with our sister group SouthWings whose volunteer pilots are responding to aerial mission requests. Where the view from above will enhance efforts to scientifically document, educate and inform constructive responses to this effort, LightHawk will strive to dedicate the aerial resources of our volunteer pilots. Flights originating from: |
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LightHawk's at Oshkosh. Come see us at booth 2110 and be sure to tell your fellow pilots to stop by. |
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British Columbia plans to lift the moratorium on oil tanker traffic along its coast which could lead to a repeat of the Exxon Valdez tradedy in the Great Bear Rainforest. We're teaming up this Fall with the renowned International League of Conservation Photographers to bring attention these plans through the Great Bear Rainforest RAVE in British Columbia. |
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Renowned aviators, educators and philanthropists John and Martha King of King Schools have strengthened LightHawk’s mission by making their Private Pilot Knowledge Test course freely available to LightHawk program staff. |
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Conklin & de Decker recently provided complimentary services to help LightHawk more accurately determine the value of its donated flights. Conklin & de Decker is well regarded in providing objective and impartial information to the general aviation industry for informed decision making about the purchase and operation of aircraft. |
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LightHawk's own Jane Nicolai on what she saw on a recent flight that took her breath away |
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National Geographic's Wild Chronicles highlights the pronghorn migration project supported by LightHawk flights. Watch it here. |
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LightHawk awarded highest rating by Charity Navigator |
