Photo contributed
As part of his Eagle Scout project, on Oct. 22, 2016, Nate Shomaker, BSA Troop 128 in McLean, and his fellow scouts and volunteers, completed construction on a 15-foot Chimney Swift Tower benefitting the Nature Center at River Bend Regional Park. “Chimney Swift birds are losing their habitat. They used to make nests in chimneys but now people put caps on chimneys so they are losing their homes. This tower is a birdhouse for them. It is made of strong construction so it will be a part of River Bend Park for a long time,” explained Shomaker. The project was aided by the support of the staff at River Bend Regional Park, as well as the ChimneySwifts.org, Tart Lumber, Home Depot, Sun Belt Rental, FedEx Office, and McLean Hardware.