Eagle Watcher volunteers are dusting off their spotting scopes as bald eagles flock to the Skagit River.

From mid-December through February, volunteers can be seen along Highway 20 helping visitors spot bald eagles and informing them about the birds’ role within the Skagit watershed, as well as how to spot the birds safely.

Earlier this month, bald eagles began migrating to the Skagit River from Alaska and British Columbia to feed on spawned-out chum salmon. Each year, people from Western Washington and around the world travel to Skagit County to see the raptors that were at one point listed as endangered.

The program, in its 15th year, is a partnership between the North Cascades Institute and the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest.

The idea for the program stemmed from an increase in visitors looking for bald eagles along the Skagit River, which led to unsafe viewing practices.

Eagle Watcher volunteers play an interpretive role with the program, said Lee Whitford, a North Cascades Institute naturalist who helps organize the program. The most important thing volunteers can do is show visitors how the salmon and the eagles are connected in the Skagit watershed, she said.

The idea is that visitors will be encouraged to protect the Skagit watershed by developing a connection with the area, Whitford said.

“People love getting out and doing things to help protect this area,” she said of the volunteers.

This year, about 70 volunteers ranging in age from 14 to 85 are participating. About half are returning volunteers.

“Most people have a lot invested in this,” Whitford said. “This means a lot to them.”

Aside from age, volunteers vary in locations from Whatcom and Skagit counties down to Seattle — even Vancouver, Wash.

Volunteers have participated in training during which they learned about eagle biology and the ecosystem of the Skagit watershed.

Four volunteers are stationed at three points along Highway 20 and are outfitted with spotting scopes, maps and information about how to watch birds safely and responsibly. Volunteers are available to answer questions and help visitors spot eagles.

Sharing her knowledge about bald eagles is one of the reasons seven-year volunteer Sarah Mintz has participated in the program.

“The first time (visitors) actually see an eagle up close is an amazing thing,” Mintz said. “Not everyone is able to see an eagle up close.”

Mintz said her interest in bald eagles began 11 years ago at the Sardis Raptor Center in Ferndale, a rehabilitation facility for raptors, where she has closely interacted with the birds.

Educating people about the river ecosystem will hopefully help people become more knowledgeable about how their actions at home can affect watersheds, salmon and bald eagles, she said.

John Lahey, a 14-year volunteer, said he loves seeing the excitement on people’s faces when they see eagles. He said he also enjoys helping visitors make new connections about the area by bringing out the curiosity in people.

“If you get them to ask questions because you’ve raised their curiosity, that’s when you know you’ve got them,” Lahey said.

The Eagle Watchers program encourages people to develop a “sense of place” by helping them understand more about the area, he said.

People who have a connection with a place are more likely to appreciate and protect it, Lahey said.

“It’s nice to see other people get that connection and become aware of their surroundings,” he added.

As a volunteer, Lahey has met tourists from Germany, Australia and Spain. It’s easy to forget that people come from all over the world to see the bald eagles, he said. Part of having a sense of place is “not forgetting what’s in your backyard,” he added.

Lahey plans to continue sharing his knowledge as an Eagle Watcher volunteer for as long as the program exists.

“I love it,” Lahey said. “I love being able to share my enthusiasm with people.”