A banner reading "The People of The Peregrine Fund."
Showcasing the people behind our conservation mission

The Peregrine Fund works tirelessly to save imperiled birds of prey worldwide. We often talk about the raptors with which we work, but the team of people who conduct that work are just as full of stories that have gone untold—until now. We're proud to shine a light on a few of these amazing scientists, specialists, and administrators and to share the stories of some very deserving and under-recognized members of our organization.

Nashally Folch Mercado
Field Coordinator, TPF Puerto Rico

Two photos. Left is a closeup of Nashally Folch Mercado. Right is a closeup of a young hawk being examined by a biologist. Overlaid is Nashally's signature.
courtesy of Nashally Folch Mercado


Deep in the rainforests of Puerto Rico, Nashally Folch Mercado was utilizing cutting edge automated recorders to study threatened wildlife. But when she wanted to switch to a more hands-on position, it was a considerably older technology that helped her make it happen. Learn what it was, and her current work with us protecting a rare and tiny raptor in the island territory. | Released September 2026

Msafiri Mgumba
Program Manager, TPF Southern Africa

A graphic combining an image of Msafiri Mgumba, a closeup of an Old World vulture, Msafiri's signature, and text reading "The People of The Peregrine Fund."
courtesy of Corinne Kendall (left) | Darcy Ogada (right)


Witnessing the aftermath of a poisoned carcass changed everything for Msafiri Mgumba—not only was the targeted lion killed, but so were dozens of vultures. Today he’s part of the team protecting birds of prey across Tanzania from a similar fate, tackling human-carnivore conflict through community collaboration. See how one turning point sparked a movement. | Released August 2026

Gabriela Díaz
Program Coordinator, TPF Dominican Republic

Two images. Left is Gabby Díaz posing and smiling with avian ambassador Ridgway's Hawk Leo perched on her glove. Right is a Ridgway's Hawk perched on a branch with one foot raised. Overlaid is Gabby's signature.
Gabby Díaz


Dominican Republic native Gabriela Díaz was studying hotel management in college, with dreams of becoming a chef. Today she’s overseeing a subpopulation of Critically Endangered Ridgway’s Hawks. So how does one go from the hospitality industry to a champion for a bird of prey found nowhere else in the world? Read on to find out! | Released June 2026

Emma Heydenberk
Seasonal Condor Biologist, TPF California Condor

Two photos. Left is Emma Heydenberk in a small plane working a radio tracker. Right is a closeup of the face of a California Condor. Overlaid is Emma's signature and text reading "The People of The Peregrine Fund."
Rin O'Connell (left) | Fin & Fur Films (right)


For three winters now, Emma Heydenberk has found a home on our California Condor team during the busy fall and winter seasons, when we release around a dozen captive-bred condors and trap and test as many others as possible to test them for lead exposure. Read on to learn what first brought Emma to condors—and what keeps bringing them back year after year. | Released May 2026

Adam Miller
Northeast Program Manager, North American Lead-Free Partnership

A graphic combining several images. Left shows Adam Miller smiling. Right shows a Bald Eagle and several Common Ravens feeding on a carcass. Overlaid are Adam's signature and text reading "The People of The Peregrine Fund."
courtesy of Adam Miller (left) | courtesy of Fin & Fur Films (right)


It’s not often that someone can call a podcast “life-changing,” but for Adam Miller, it’s absolutely true. After hearing our staff discuss the North American Lead-Free Partnership (NALP) on a podcast several years ago, Adam reached out. Read on to hear what happened next and about his work uniting stakeholders to protect scavenging wildlife by removing lead from the landscape. | Released April 2026

Prior Episodes

  • Curtis Evans | Curator of Education, TPF Education at the World Center for Birds of Prey
  • Loukman | Bealanana Field Manager, TPF Madagascar
  • Chelsea Haitz | Program Manager, TPF Raptor Propagation
  • Jadn Soper | Raptor Specialist II, TPF Education at the World Center for Birds of Prey
  • Kara Beer | Program Coordinator, TPF Gyrfalcon & Tundra Conservation
  • Julio Gallardo | Conservation Biologist for International Programs
  • Isamar Flores Rodríguez | Program Coordinator, TPF Puerto Rico
  • Tom Hudson | Conservation Field Biologist
  • Carolina Granthon | Research Coordinator
  • Nojine | Field Biologist, TPF Dominican Republic
  • Erin Brannon | Senior Condor Field Biologist, TPF California Condor