U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service staff point out an active bald eagle nest on Kenai National Wildlife Refuge to Sam Champion of ABC's Good Morning America.

ABC television's "Good Morning America" chose to come to Kenai National Wildlife Refuge to film a piece on the recovery of bald eagles, and for good reason.  Over 20 eagles were observed in nesting and feeding areas along the Upper Kenai River during the crew's visit.  The show's producer, camera and sound people, and anchor Sam Champion spent the day with Service staff viewing and filming eagles and talking about the bird's incredible conservation success story.  Though never rare in Alaska, bald eagle numbers fell to an all time low of 417 nesting pairs in the lower 48 in 1963.  Today there is an estimated high of 9,789 breeding pairs in the lower 48 states and the bird no longer requires the protection of the Endangered Species Act.  Kenai National Wildlife Refuge is home to over 150 birds and provides pristine habitat for species such as bald eagles and trumpeter swans - species that have struggled elsewhere to survive.  The Refuge is just one of approximately 550 national wildlife refuges across the Nation whose mission is to conserve fish and wildlife for the enjoyment of present and future generations of Americans.