Media are invited to watch as an eaglet is released into the wild in Douglas Lake, Tennessee, in the foothills of the Smokey Mountains. Entertainer Dolly Parton will pull a rope to open a door to an artificial nest where the 14-week-old eaglet has been raised by the American Eagle Foundation. United States Mint Associate Director of Sales and Marketing, Gloria Eskridge, and Al Cecere, the founder and president of the AEF, will be on hand for the release.

The United States Mint, pursuant to an Act of Congress, is issuing a limited edition of commemorative coins in 2008 to celebrate the recovery of the Bald Eagle and its status as our national emblem. The United States Mint is authorized to pay qualifying surcharges, collected from the sales of these coins, to the American Eagle Foundation of Tennessee to further its work.

Just 35 years ago, the Bald Eagle, chosen in 1782 to be the Nation’s emblem, was on the brink of extinction. Now, it has made a remarkable recovery with 10,000 nesting pairs located around the nation. The Bald Eagle was removed from the List of Threatened and Endangered Species in 2007.

WHAT: Release of Eaglet into the wild; remarks on Bald Eagle Commemorative Coin Program

WHO: United States Mint Associate Director for Sales and Marketing, Gloria Eskridge
Al Cecere, Founder/President of the American Eagle Foundation
Dolly Parton, Entertainer

WHEN: April 10, 2008, 8 a.m. (ET)

WHERE: Douglas Lake, Tenn. If media plan to attend, please contact Al Cecere, AEF president, at (865) 429-0157. Directions to the facility caravan will be provided at that time. Media will need to assemble by 7 a.m. ET to ensure shots of eaglet inside the hacking tower and to be escorted into the site.