Virginia's Amazing Vultures

Service Description

Vultures are a critical component of the ecosystem yet are frequently misunderstood and maligned. Today's talk will provide the facts and information you need to become an informed and enthusiastic advocate for these amazing species. The presentation will explore the natural history of vultures in Virginia, the unique biology and ecology of vultures, global conservation concerns, and human–vulture conflicts and mitigation strategies. Heather has been a volunteer wildlife rehabilitator with Blue Ridge Wildlife Center since 2017 and a wildlife educator since 2018. She holds federal and state permits for a non-releasable vulture wildlife ambassador, Dusty. Over the past 7 years, in partnership with Dusty (and prior vulture ambassadors Gryphon and Vega), she's reached hundreds of people of all ages, sharing the critical role of vultures in the ecosystem and the challenges they face globally. In 2020, Heather traveled to South Africa to volunteer with VulPro – supporting rescue, rehabilitation and captive breeding of endangered Cape Vultures and African White Backed Vultures. When not volunteering, Heather works as the Instructional Designer for We Are Sharing Hope SC (the Organ Procurement Organization for South Carolina). She's worked in the field of organ and tissue donation for 20+ years and prior to that, worked for the US Environmental Protection Agency. The speaker series will be held at the Mountain House located at 17405 Beverley Mill Drive Broad Run, VA 20137 on Saturday, May, 9th from 2 pm to 4 pm. Admission is free.