The mission of HawkWatch International (HWI) is to conserve the environment through education, long-term monitoring, and scientific research on raptors as indicators of ecosystem health. We believe that through our efforts to monitor and protect birds of prey (also known as raptors), we can also protect our shared environment, our rich natural heritage, and ourselves. HWI was founded as a non-profit, tax-exempt 501 (c)(3) organization in 1986.

Raptors are an essential part of healthy, functioning ecosystems. As regulators of natural systems, raptors are crucial to maintaining the stable, healthy, and diverse ecosystems upon which we all depend. And as sensitive and widespread predators at the apex of food chains, raptors are superior indicators of ecosystem health worldwide. Humans share these ecosystems with raptors and all other species--thus, whatever happens to the raptors will happen to us. Hence, HWI's mission of conserving raptors is very relevant to the human condition. HWI fulfills this mission through programs in long-term monitoring, ecological research, applied conservation, and public outreach and education. Through these programs, HWI promotes an ethic of ecological sustainability and conservation for this and generations to follow.