Hello and welcome to Rewildology, the podcast that explores conservation, travel, and rewilding the planet. I’m your host, Brooke Mitchell-Norman, conservation biologist and adventure traveler.
Have any of these questions ever crossed your mind?
- Why have bird numbers declined so much in recent years?
- How are rescued raptors trained for educational shows?
- What’s it like starting a nonprofit at a young age?
- What the heck is falconry actually?
- Is Harry Potter’s owl a good pet in real life?
All of these questions have popped into my head during various musings with myself, and I finally had the chance to ask all of them to how this week’s rockstar guest, Devin Jaffe. Devin is a bird conservationist, the Founder of Nature’s Educators, a world-class raptor breeder, Master Falconer, and a musician. I have no idea how she successfully wears so many hats, but let me tell you what, she’s absolutely crushing them all. I learned so much from Devin and I hope you all will, too.
This week’s question:
For bird life in your area, what is the biggest issue they are facing? What work is being done to conserve them? Do any species of raptors live near you, and if so, how do you feel about it?
I’d love to hear your answer. Comment below, send me an email or post your comment on the Rewildologists Community Facebook Group!
Alright, everyone. Here is my conversation with Devin.
Key Takeaways & Highlights
🦅 Devin’s journey growing up in Colorado and originally following her passion for paleontology
🦅 How Devin discovered her passion for birds and switched from music to biology in college
🦅 The opportunity that arose for her to obtain her own falcon breeding license
🦅 When she decided to launch Nature’s Educators
🦅 The ups and downs of running a successful nonprofit
🦅 Why bird numbers, especially raptors, have declined in recent years
🦅 The sport of falconry: what it is and what it is not
🦅 How everyone can help birds
Links & Resources
Websites:
Nature’s Educators Website: https://www.natureseducators.org/
Nature’s Educators Event Schedule: https://www.natureseducators.org/events/
Donate to Nature’s Educators: https://www.natureseducators.org/donate/
Nature’s Educators Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/naturesed/
Mile High Falcons: https://www.milehighfalcons.com/
Wings Over Colorado: http://www.wingsovercolorado.com/
High Plains Falconers: http://highplainsfalconers.com/
Contacting Devin
You can reach Devin by emailing her at devin.j@natureseducators.org.
Join Rewildologists Today!
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Check out other Rewildology Episodes.
Ep. 39 Show Notes | Saving the Elephants of Laos with Michael Vogler
Ep. 38 Show Notes | The Snow Leopard: Conserving Himalayas’ Phantom Apex Predator with Rinzin Lama
Ep. 37 Show Notes | The (Im)Balance Between Life & Water with Charles van Rees, PhD
