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.

Chelsea Haitz
Propagation Program Manager

Two photos. Left shows Chelsea Haitz looking at a computer monitor and smiling. Right shows a California Condor on a perch in our propagation facility. Overlaid are a video play button, Chelsea's signature, and text reading "The People of The Peregrine Fund."
Matthew Danihel (left) | Kelsey Tatton (right)


It’s a question that anyone who works with birds has heard many times in their career: “What’s your favorite bird?” For most, it’s an impossible question… but not for Propagation Program Manager Chelsea Haitz. So what IS Chelsea’s favorite bird? And just what makes her “brother from another feather” so special to her? Catch this installment of "The People of The Peregrine Fund" to find out. | Released September 2025

Jadn Soper
Raptor Specialist II

Two photos. Left shows Jadn Soper looking closely at ambassador Taita Falcon Chiku. Right is ambassador Harpy Eagle Grayson standing on a perch. Overlaid is text reading "The People of The Peregrine Fund," a video play button, and Jadn's signature.
Rachel Daniel (left) | Jadn Soper (right)


At our education facility in Boise, Idaho, Raptor Specialist II Jadn Soper is part of the team responsible for caring for our team of 22 avian ambassadors and conducting education programs for thousands of visitors each year.  Catch the newest “The People of The Peregrine Fund” now to hear Jadn share what led her to environmental education and how science is intertwined with all of her team’s work. | Released August 2025

Kara Beer
Gyrfalcon & Tundra Conservation Program Crew Lead

Two photos. Left is biologist Kara Beer looking out the window of a helicopter at the Alaskan tundra. Right is two young Gyrfalcons in their cliffside nest. Overlaid is a video play button, The Peregrine Fund's logo, and Kara's signature.
Kara Beer (left) | Bryce Robinson (right)


A mere hundred miles south of the Arctic Circle in western Alaska lies the small community of Nome, the base of operations for our northernmost project: the Gyrfalcon & Tundra Conservation Program. Hear from the project’s Crew Lead Kara Beer as she shares the unique challenges—and rewards—of conservation work in this remarkable region. | Released July 2025

Julio Gallardo, PhD
Conservation Biologist for International Projects

Two images. Left shows biologist Julio Gallardo holding up a speaker in a tropical rainforest. Right shows a silhouetted Aplomado Falcon perched on a wire. Overlaid is a video play button, The Peregrine Fund's logo, and Julio's signature.
courtesy of Julio Gallardo (left) | Paul Juergens (right)


In rural Mexico in the late 1990s, a chance viewing of a documentary featuring our founder Tom Cade would change the life of a 14-year-old boy. Inspired to become a raptor biologist, Julio Gallardo has since spent most of his career either partnering with or directly working for The Peregrine Fund. Hear his thoughts on joining the organization he so long admired! | Released June 2025

Isamar Flores Rodríguez
Puerto Rico Project Coordinator

Two photos. Left shows biologist Isamar Flores–Rodríguez in rain gear shrugging. Right shows a Puerto Rican Sharp-shinned Hawk perched on a branch. Overlaid is The Peregrine Fund's logo, a video play button, and Isamar's signature.
Isamar Flores Rodríguez (left) | Hana Weaver (right)


As a volunteer with our Puerto Rico Project in 2021, Isamar Flores Rodríguez made a strong impression on our team—and vice versa. She became a paid seasonal technician for the 2022 season and a full-time staff member in late 2023. As a native of Puerto Rico, she has a special love for our work conserving the island territory’s unique birds—hear her thoughts here! | Released May 2025

Tom Hudson
Conservation Field Biologist

Two photos. Left shows biologist Tom Hudson smiling at the camera and holding a spotting scope. Right shows a Golden Eagle sitting in a grassy field. Overlaid is a video play button, The Peregrine Fund's logo, and Tom's signature.
Paul Juergens (left) | U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, National Conservation Training Center, Creative Imagery (right)


Conservation Field Biologist Tom Hudson is a veteran of multiple Peregrine Fund programs, with time spent on our Puerto Rican Sharp-shinned Hawk, Aplomado Falcon, California Condor, and Golden Eagle projects. He’s gained experience with many different species and many different field techniques, but through it all, there’s one constant that’s kept him going. Hear from him what it is! | Released April 2025

Carolina Granthon
Research Coordinator

Two photos. Left shows Carolina Granthon working at her computer. Right shows a closeup of the head of a vulture. Overlaid is a video play button, The Peregrine Fund's logo, and Carolina's signature.
Matthew Danihel (left) | Adobe Stock (right)


A veteran of our propagation team, Carolina Granthon is now a key member of our science team, helping guide our conservation efforts worldwide using adaptive management. Hear Carolina explain just what that is, and how her efforts help ensure our resources have the maximum possible effect for saving the world’s raptors. | Released March 2025

Nojine
Ridgway's Hawk Field Biologist

Two photos. Left shows biologist Nojine looking at something with binoculars. Right shows a Ridgway's Hawk perched in a tree. Overlaid is a video play button, The Peregrine Fund's logo, and Nojine's signature.
Gabriela Díaz (left) | Bill Saltzstein (right)


With over twenty years of experience monitoring Ridgway’s Hawks in the Dominican Republic, Field Biologist Hilario Jorge Polanco—known to our team as Nojine—is one of the longest-tenured members of not only the Ridgway’s Hawk Project, but the entire Peregrine Fund organization. Hear Nojine’s insights from two decades in conservation! | Released February 2025

Dan Young
Brand Manager

Two photos. Left shows Dan Young sitting in his computer along with his dog Binny. Right shows a closeup of a Peregrine Falcon. Overlaid is a video play button, The Peregrine Fund's logo, and Dan's signature.
Matthew Danihel (left) | U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, National Conservation Training Center, Creative Imagery (right)


The Peregrine Fund has hundreds of employees in countries all over the world, but Brand Manager Dan Young might have the most unique living situation of all of them: he and his wife, along with a gregarious pit bull mix named Binny, have been crisscrossing North America in a van converted for full-time living. Hear Dan share what perspective he's gained on conservation from life on the road! | Released July 2024

Erin Brannon
Senior Condor Field Biologist

Two photos. Left shows biologist Erin Brannon behind the wheel of a car. Right shows a California Condor flying high over sunset-lit cliffs. Overlaid is a video play button, The Peregrine Fund's logo, and Erin's signature.
Matthew Danihel (left) | Tim Hauck (right)


During Senior Condor Field Biologist Erin Brannon's decade-plus tenure with The Peregrine Fund, the condor program has seen perhaps more than its fair share of ups and downs. But through it all, she still sees plenty to be cheerful about. Learn what brings Erin the most joy here. | Released June 2024