When I joined the Center in 2003, the lure of the birds was undeniable. The opportunity to work so closely with such amazing and powerful creatures carried a “cool factor” that no other job could hold a candle to. As a teacher by training, I recognized the value of these ambassador birds as educational partners almost immediately as I watched the eyes of countless children light up in ways I had not seen in the classroom before. I was hooked.

Decades later, the birds still have a hold on me, but I’ve come to realize that what we do goes far beyond the “cool” and even beyond the birds themselves in many ways. Our mission, to identify and address critical environmental issues through our work with birds, directly connects to the well-being of all life on Earth, including our own. Every patient in our Avian Medical Clinic presents the opportunity to mitigate our negative impacts on the environment through providing professional care to the individual in need. Perhaps more importantly, each case gives us insight into what is happening on our planet that might otherwise go unnoticed. The insights these birds offer are too important not to share. Since 1991, our mission has remained deeply relevant.

I am committed to upholding the high standards that have guided us since our founding as the Charleston Raptor Center: delivering exceptional medical care, providing engaging, science-based education, and embracing every opportunity to learn and grow. We strive for excellence out of respect for the animals in our care and in stewardship of the resources entrusted to us by our community. We set the bar high, because the work demands it.

What I could not have imagined in 2003 is the extraordinary community that would grow around this mission. Our staff has expanded from a small team of five to a dedicated group of fifteen with over 80 years of collective experience, but even that is not enough to meet the need. Our volunteer staff help carry us forward, contributing thousands of hours of their talent and time to ensure we can meet the demand. All of this work is funded by the generosity of our community, each gift a reflection of a shared commitment to our mission. I am humbled to help guide the impact of that generosity. Simply put, none of this is possible without you.

Looking ahead, I am excited for what these elements together make possible. As the need for our medical services continues to grow, so does the opportunity to learn from each bird and share those lessons more broadly. Through our education programs, we have the privilege of inspiring the next generation of scientists, educators, volunteers, and environmental stewards.
I look forward to strengthening these connections, listening and learning alongside you, and sharing more about where we are headed. Together, we will honor our mission and our standards, embrace new opportunities, and continue working toward a future where birds, humans, and the ecosystems we share can thrive.