Nesting platforms will be set in place, and news conferences will be held at two locations.

The osprey, an eagle-like hawk that generally measures 21 to 24 inches and has a wingspan of about 5 feet, has been an endangered species in Pennsylvania since 1982. The "fish hawks" as they are sometimes called, nested along the state's lakes, rivers and streams until habitat destruction, waterway pollution and pesticides that contaminated the food chain dramatically reduced nesting.

To help return the birds to the state, PP&L has been involved since 1990 with community groups throughout its service area in establishing nesting platforms. Osprey prefer nesting in high, open areas to protect their eggs from other predators.

Lehigh County

Thanks to a partnership among PP&L, Inc., Hawk Mountain Sanctuary,the Wildlands Conservancy and William Allen High School science students, osprey may choose the Allentown State Hospital as "home" this spring.

Media representatives are invited to attend a news conference about the group's osprey program on Thursday (3/26) at 1:30 p.m. on the grounds ofthe state hospital, 1600 Hanover Ave., Allentown. At that time, the groupwill set in place a nesting platform constructed by the students.

The platform at the state hospital will be installed on a 40-foot-high utility pole placed by PP&L.

Schuylkill County

Thanks to a partnership among PP&L, Inc., Hawk Mountain Sanctuary, the Wildlands Conservancy and local students, osprey will have new options for homes this spring in the State Game Lands in Drehersville and at Landingville Dam, both in Schuylkill County.

Media representatives are invited to attend a news conference about the group's osprey program on Monday (3/23) at 4 p.m. at the State Game Lands near Hawk Mountain. At that time, the group will install a nesting platform constructed by the students.

Students in the Ecology Club at Pottsville's D.H.H. Lengel Middle School constructed the nesting platform for the Landingville Dam site. The Blue Mountain High School Enviro-Action Club built the State Game Lands' platform.