Mary Ewers, Avian Program Curator, Lorain County Metro Parks, Ohio, USA
I am truly honored to be nominated for the IAATE Board. With over 25 years of experience in the field of nature interpretation, I’ve spent the past 18 years dedicated to my current facility. I currently serve as the Avian Program Curator for Lorain County Metro Parks in Ohio, where I manage the Carlisle Raptor Center, home to six resident birds. Though our collection is small, my responsibilities are broad—I serve as the primary trainer, coordinate and train both staff and volunteers, maintain facilities and enclosures, manage permits and records, facilitate animal acquisitions, and educate the public through engaging programs with our wildlife ambassadors. Becoming a member of IAATE in 2015 was one of the most impactful decisions of my professional career. The organization has played a key role in my growth, helping me elevate the care and welfare standards not just for our raptors, but for all the animal ambassadors in our wildlife programs. In recent years, I’ve had the privilege of serving as Chair of the IAATE Enrichment Committee, collaborating with an incredibly talented and passionate team.
