Julio Gallardo
The Welcome Center at the World Center for Birds of Prey, completed in April 2023, was envisioned as a gateway befitting The Peregrine Fund's global reputation for species conservation. Our vision was to create an entrance that would immediately convey to visitors the significance of our organization and its historic achievements in conservation. Central to this vision was the need to tell our story in a compelling and innovative way.
The project's genesis began in late 2018 when Greg Mercer, a producer and interdisciplinary artist with extensive experience from Chicago's Field Museum of Natural History, relocated to Boise. Mercer's background in natural history and conservation made him an ideal collaborator, and he soon joined forces with Tate Mason (Director of the World Center for Birds of Prey), Erin Katzner (former VP of Education and Outreach), and Heather Meuleman (VP of Development) to explore storytelling possibilities for the new space.
Jeff Hatch of Hatch Design Architecture, who had been developing plans for what would become the Welcome Center, played a crucial role in conceptualizing the Inspiration Wall. The team identified the south wall of the building—11 feet high and 20 feet long—as the ideal location for this installation. Their planning sessions took place beneath walls adorned with black-framed photographs chronicling The Peregrine Fund's rich history.
Drawing from extensive research and inspired by dramatic photographs of falcons hunting amid starling murmurations, Mercer developed the initial concept. Murmurations—the mesmerizing aerial displays created when birds move en masse to evade predators—became the foundational element of the design. This natural phenomenon perfectly symbolized the dynamic relationship between predator and prey that lies at the heart of The Peregrine Fund's work.
The design evolved to incorporate a world map composed of murmuring birds shaped like continents, with a hunting falcon as the centerpiece. This imagery powerfully represented both The Peregrine Falcon's global range and The Peregrine Fund's worldwide conservation efforts. The concept particularly resonated because it illustrated how the organization's work in reducing DDT use had far-reaching benefits for entire ecosystems and numerous species worldwide.
Saswat Mishra
Ross Matteson, a renowned sculptor and master falconer whose work already graced the World Center for Birds of Prey campus, was commissioned to bring this vision to life. Matteson's expertise and deep connection to the falconry community made him the ideal artist to translate the concept into a physical installation. His previous works, including the Falconer's Wall of Remembrance (which now honors over 240 individuals), demonstrated his ability to create meaningful, lasting tributes to conservation efforts.
The project demanded extraordinary precision and collaboration across multiple disciplines. The final design incorporated quartzite from Brazil cast bronze with black patina, polished stainless steel, white epoxy, and vinyl elements. The materials were carefully selected and tested to ensure both aesthetic impact and durability in a high-traffic public space.
The execution required expertise from numerous specialists:
Art Castings of Colorado produced the stainless steel shorebirds
Two Ravens Foundry in Tacoma cast the centerpiece falcon
Granite Gallery in Tumwater processed the quartzite
The WoodLab in Eagle, Idaho, handled the complex epoxy work
Premier Signs of Boise created the vinyl installations
Wildlife photographer Nick Dunlap's generous contribution of reference materials proved invaluable to the design process. The installation itself was completed in February 2022 by Ben Kalkman's team from Cutting Edge Kitchens, with crucial support from various construction and facilities management professionals.
The Inspiration Wall was unveiled during the Welcome Center's dedication on Earth Day, April 22nd, 2023. It stands as a testament to the power of collaborative public art and serves as a fitting tribute to The Peregrine Fund's global mission of species conservation. The installation exemplifies how artistic vision, technical expertise, and conservation ethics can combine to create a meaningful and enduring monument to wildlife preservation.
