Lt. Gov. Jim Cawley recently joined a group of officials from Harrisburg and Berks County at Hawk Mountain Sanctuary to celebrate a $250,000 state grant.

Funded through the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, the money will kick-start the Sanctuary's project to increase accessibility, improve safety, and improve overall visitor services.

The estimated $800,000 project will put in place a new ADA compliant walkway to connect the outdoor amphitheater, visitor center, native plant garden, parking areas and trailhead entrance.

Improvements will also include renovating the outdoor amphitheater to a covered stage with sound, lighting and seats for up to 250 people.

The July 29 ceremony took flight at the Sanctuary's outdoor amphitheater as members of Boy Scout Troop 621, Orwigsburg, proudly presented the colors and led the audience in singing the national anthem.

Before introducing featured speakers, Berks County Commissioner Christian Leinbach told Hawk Mountain supporters about the value exposure to nature has on youth by referencing "Last Child in the Woods," a book written by Richard Louv. This book illustrates avenues to help youngsters become interested in the outdoors.

"When I was a kid, we used to go outside and make up games," he said.

Leinbach said today's youth are spending too much time indoors wrapped up in technology. He fears they are losing valuable creativity skills.

"Hawk Mountain provides a unique opportunity for children and adults to connect with nature and world of raptors," he said.

Since 1934, Hawk Mountain has been the world's first refuge for bird of prey and an international center for conservation.

Leinbach commended Sanctuary President Jerry Regan on his success in connecting Hawk Mountain to the community and making improving access a top priority.

"Places like Hawk Mountain are what de-fines us as Pennsylvanians and what defines our communities," said Cawley, commenting on the "beautiful landscapes and natural resources" that construct Pennsylvania.

Cawley said he was very pleased to be a part of the celebration and proud of Hawk Mountain's continued dedication to preserve the community's natural beauty.

Attracting nearly 70,000 visitors per year and adding $7 million to the local economy annually, Hawk Mountain plays a crucial role in the community.

The grant, Cawley said, is a way for him, Gov. Tom Corbett and colleagues at Harrisburg to say, "We realize your value. We realize your importance."

"That's what today is all about," said Cawley. "To make these beautiful landscapes available to everyone."

During the ceremony, Leinbach returned to the stage to surprise Regan and sanctuary supporters with federal funding with a Community Development Block Grant of $365,670 for the project.

Added to the $250,000 commissioners provided from the state, the grants take $615,670 off the project's total.

After a roar of applause, Regan thanked the commissioners for their generosity.

"I've never been involved with an organization that attracted such broad support," he said.

Regan said the sanctuary will seek donations from private donors and corporations to fill in the remainder of the funding.

State Sen. Dave Argall, R-29th, discussed being an Eagle Scout growing up in Tamaqua and his experiences visiting the Sanctuary.

Argall entertained audience members as he recounted the first time he took his son on a hike up to one of the mountain's lookout points.

He said the trail was much more difficult to climb than he thought.

Having to scale "Volkswagen-sized" boulders, Argall said he learned first-hand the importance of ADA applications to the trail.

Extending the permeable paver to the mountain's south lookout was not included in the original plan, but due to popular demand, the sanctuary plans to tack on the additional $400,000 to the total price tag to do just that.

Director of Advancement Craig George said plans for the trail extending to the closest lookout point will be separate from the existing trail and will incorporate a series of switchbacks, making it longer but wheelchair accessible.

Regan said the sanctuary is still deciding on materials to be used for paving the trails.

"The trail will start right here where you are sitting and end at south lookout," said Regan to audience members perched on the amphitheater's wooden benches and folding chairs around tables under an adjacent event tent.

Established in 1967, the 1,383-foot high scenic south overlook not only offers jaw-dropping views, but also a destination to witness an average of 20,000 raptors fly south during the autumn migration.

Regan said he wants the refurbishment to blend seamlessly with the existing natural surroundings. He said the new walkway will be constructed with permeable materials and incorporate native plantings to maintain the trail's natural landscape and visually separate parking areas.

The access plan will also feature trailside benches for seating and ADA-compliant restrooms. With the completion of the renovations, Hawk Mountain wants to expand program offerings to include performing arts, attract new visitors, ensure accessibility and continue to provide an exemplary platform for raptor education.