Mager, who celebrated her 90th birthday Oct. 25, lives in Clyde and has worked as a conservationist and bird advocate for 50 years — and she’s often visited Blue Ridge School. 

True to form, she gave students a moving lesson about the beauty and wonder of raptors, such as how owls fly without making a sound. She also shared some of her best nuggets about life: “Children, never lie,” she told her rapt audience and “Always be proud of what you do in life.”

Mager is preparing to move to Washington State later this year to be closer to family but is clear on one thing. 

“I’m not retiring,” she says often. “There is too much work to be done.”

Editor’s note: Contributing writer Ann Campbell is a member of the Highlands Plateau Audubon Society, which sponsored the program.