Nichole Moore
I’m honored to be heading back to Honolulu to run the marathon—this time on behalf of a charity that’s deeply meaningful to me.
Birds have been one of the great loves of my life. I’ve had the privilege of working with an incredible range of species across rehabilitation, zookeeping, education, and falconry. Each path has shaped me, but falconry in particular has been transformative. Working one-on-one with raptors in their world is indescribable. Along the way, I’ve met remarkable people, deepened my understanding of these birds, and even served on the board of the Texas Hawking Association as Secretary/Treasurer and Vice President.
Being so deeply involved in conservation is a dream come true. Within the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) community, I manage the Species Survival Plan (SSP) programs for both Burrowing Owls and Red-crested Turacos, and I serve on the steering committee for the Raptor Taxon Advisory Group. It’s meaningful work that connects passion with purpose.
But my heart beats the loudest right here in Texas. As the Bird Department Supervisor at the Caldwell Zoo, I’m part of a small but dedicated group working tirelessly to save one of our most critically endangered native species: the Attwater’s Prairie-chicken. Once abundant across the coastal prairies, their numbers plummeted from millions to just 50 birds. Each year, my team and I raise chicks and release them back onto the prairie, helping rebuild a population that nearly disappeared. Watching these birds thrive in the wild again is nothing short of awe-inspiring.
