Biography

U. S. Steel’s Mon Valley Works Irvin plant manager, Don German, is a familiar figure to thousands of community members throughout the Pittsburgh area and well beyond—but not for the steelmaking expertise and leadership he has established over 34 years at the company. Rather, Don is known for his knowledge about and support for eagles. In particular, he’s an expert on the two eagles that made the Irvin works their home five years ago.

In fact, Don has overseen several flora- and fauna-friendly initiatives around U. S. Steel’s Mon Valley Irvin Plant. Working with local community members and biologists, the efforts have included establishing duck habitats, cleaning up the river and aerating a fishpond, and providing boxes for bluebird and Screech Owl nesting, among many others. He has even helped attract and protect raptors other than eagles around the plants, including the Great Horned Owl, which was also once on the endangered list.

But it’s the two Bald Eagles, named Irvin and Claire, who have attracted the most attention. Through visits to schools and other venues, Don has spoken to more than 10,000 students and others in the public about the two birds. And more than 3 million more people from 22 different countries have visited the online live webcam of the eagles’ nest. “We provided an environment and ecosystem where birds can thrive, and Eagles, Great Horned Owls, and Falcons chose our locations to call home,” says Don. “It shows that industry and nature can co-exist if we work hard and do the right thing.”