1. Genuine nonprofit structure
Legal incorporation, bylaws, governing body, organizational bank and financial records, mission, board responsibility and continuity planning.
For agencies, placement partners and institutional reviewers
Institutional qualifications for public eagle conservation education.
Lions of the Sky is a Utah nonprofit with continuing public conservation-education programs, documented eagle-care experience, institutional resources and governance supporting long-term stewardship.
Current care and permit relationship
Continuity of care today; organizational responsibility for the future.
Freedom and Magondo are currently cared for by Lions of the Sky caretakers as part of the organization’s ongoing eagle-care and conservation-education work.
Current federal authority: The Live Eagle Exhibition permit authorizing Freedom and Magondo is held by Steve Chindgren and was sponsored by Utah’s Hogle Zoo. Lions of the Sky is preparing a separate organizational permit application in the nonprofit’s own legal name.
Intended eligibility category
A nonprofit public scientific and conservation-education society.
For its federal application, Lions of the Sky intends to demonstrate eligibility as a public scientific society: privately organized, nonprofit, open to the general public and conducting bona fide eagle biology, natural history and conservation education.
Its work centers on public service, documented conservation education, experienced personnel, adequate resources and organizational responsibility for the eagles.
Regulatory context: Federal regulations authorize scientific and exhibition permits for the bona fide purposes of public museums, public scientific societies and public zoological parks. USFWS evaluates whether the applicant’s expertise, facilities and other resources are adequate to accomplish the stated objectives.
Institutional qualifications
Structure, experience, public service and resources.
2. Public scientific purpose
Wildlife conservation, eagle biology, ecology, natural history, public education and responsible stewardship are central—not incidental—to the organization’s work.
3. Meaningful public access
Programs are offered through schools, libraries, parks, museums, fairs, conservation events, scouting, civic and community settings, with dates, locations and audience records maintained.
4. Adequate expertise
Documented Bald and Golden Eagle care, handling, husbandry, training, transport, public presentation and medical-management experience dating to 2007.
5. Facilities and resources
Dedicated housing, equipment, veterinary arrangements, diet, enrichment, sanitation, emergency planning, transport procedures and long-term financial capacity.
6. Institutional—not personal—use
Freedom and Magondo are cared for by Lions of the Sky caretakers for conservation education. The current federal permit remains with its named permittee while the nonprofit prepares its own organizational application.
Caretaker experience
Around 9,500 eagle-specific experience hours—and growing.
The detailed categories below reflect the organization’s documented experience record. The total continues to increase through ongoing eagle care and conservation-education work.
| Dates | Experience | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| 2017–present | Primary caretaker service involving two Bald Eagles and two Golden Eagles over the documented period; conservation presentations at public events. | 6,480 |
| 2007–2018 | Handling glove-trained Bald and Golden Eagles for education and conservation messaging through Utah’s Hogle Zoo. | 728 |
| 2012–present | Community outreach programs averaging approximately 45 programs per year; transport, husbandry, feeding and weight management. | 1,900 |
| 2012 | Personally glove-trained a young rescued, nonreleasable Bald Eagle for Great Basin Wildlife Rescue. | 120 |
| Current documented eagle experience | Around 9,500 and growing | |
Photographic evidence of the record
Care, public education and institutional service over time.
Public access and program history
A continuing service to the general public.
The eagle-specific record documents an average of approximately 45 programs annually since 2012.
Supporting records include event calendars, public flyers, sponsor letters, program descriptions, learning objectives, venue records and audience estimates. Broader historical raptor-education records provide additional context for the organization’s long-standing public service.
The documented program history reflects continuing public conservation education across schools, scouting, civic and community settings.
Organizational records
Documentation supporting governance, care and continuity.
- Articles of incorporation and bylaws
- IRS nonprofit determination and filings
- Board and officer list
- Mission and program descriptions
- Program calendars and public-access records
- Experience table and recommendation letters
- Facility plans and photographs
- Diet, enrichment and husbandry procedures
- Veterinary and emergency plans
- Budget and long-term care capacity
- Transport and public-display procedures
- Continuity and succession plan
Current permit status
Current federal authority and organizational application.
Freedom and Magondo are currently cared for by Lions of the Sky caretakers under the active Live Eagle Exhibition permit held by Steve Chindgren, which was sponsored by Utah’s Hogle Zoo.
Lions of the Sky is preparing a separate organizational application in the nonprofit’s own legal name.
Review federal permit readinessOfficial sources
Federal eligibility and permit standards
USFWS Eagle Exhibition permit guidance · 50 CFR 22.50 · 50 CFR 10.12 definition of “public”