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<\/figure>\n\n\n\n\u201cWe\u2019re not veterinarians, but my wife\u2019s experience in hospice care has given her a unique understanding of life, injury, and healing,\u201d Lyle explained. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
It wasn\u2019t long before the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency recognized the family\u2019s growing knowledge of wildlife and asked them to join the ranks of raptor rehabilitators in their area. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt became a family affair. I\u2019d help craft leather goods for their falconry, and soon, people started contacting us for help with injured birds,\u201d Lyle said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
By 2021, their fascination with raptors led them to open the Middle Tennessee Raptor Center, a nonprofit organization that rehabilitates injured birds of prey and educates the community on their importance. They also earned three separate licenses for rehabilitation, education, and falconry. Their home is now the Middle Tennessee Raptor Center\u2019s base of operations. Lyle humorously refers to it as \u201ca fancy name for the downstairs of our house.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
A common question they receive during programs is whether large raptors pose a threat to pets, especially small dogs or cats. Lyle explained that while birds of prey might seem intimidating, they rarely target pets unless they are in a desperate state of hunger. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThey prefer easy meals,\u201d he said, educating the community about raptor behavior and how to protect both pets and wildlife. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cPeople are afraid that large birds will swoop down and carry off their pets, but that\u2019s not true. Birds of prey are more likely to protect their nests than hunt pets,\u201d he added. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Aside from rehabilitating injured birds, they also educate, dispel misconceptions, and help people coexist peacefully with wildlife. Lyle especially enjoys bringing their ambassador birds to schools, civic groups, and community events. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIt\u2019s my personal favorite,\u201d he said. \u201cGoing out and teaching people about these incredible creatures, raising awareness about how we can help preserve their habitats, and debunking myths about birds of prey is incredibly rewarding.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n One of the center\u2019s primary focuses is preventing unnecessary harm to these majestic creatures. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe biggest threat to birds like Journey isn\u2019t predators or the wild \u2014 it\u2019s us,\u201d Lyle said. \u201cRat poison is a huge problem. Birds of prey often eat poisoned rodents, which then poisons the bird.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n Through public education, the center advocates for alternatives to harmful substances like rat poison, raising awareness about the unintended consequences of human actions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Conservation and education go hand in hand for the Middle Tennessee Raptor Center. One of the team\u2019s biggest priorities is to return the birds to the wild and give them a second chance at life. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe have about a 68% success rate with releasing birds back into the wild. We don\u2019t want to collect them. Our goal is to heal them and send them back out.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n For the birds that can\u2019t be released, the center ensures they still have a purpose. They place them in education programs around the country or use them as ambassadors in local schools and community groups. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The Russells have ambitious plans for the future of the Middle Tennessee Raptor Center. Though they currently operate from their home, they envision creating a public nature center where families can learn about birds of prey, conservation, and the natural world in a hands-on environment. Their vision includes walking trails, outdoor pavilions, and interactive education spaces where visitors can observe their ambassador birds up close. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Through their persistent efforts and love for birds of prey, the Russell family has created an organization for raptors like Journey to heal, thrive, and educate others. Their organization integrates wildlife rehabilitation and community interaction. As they work toward expanding the center, Lyle, Valerie, and their children continue to live in service of these magnificent birds. Together, they are helping raptors not only survive but continue to soar. GN <\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Journey, a majestic red-tailed hawk, soared effortlessly above the canopy, her keen eyes scanning the forest below. A master hunter, she has learned to rely on her instincts to survive in the wild. Journey came to the Middle Tennessee Raptor Center injured and grounded, leaving with a survival story. After suffering a wing injury that […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":11,"featured_media":23380,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"off","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-23378","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-feature"],"yoast_head":"\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/goodnewsmags.com\/tullahoma\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2024\/12\/4-5-1024x683.png\")
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