Pictured above from left to right: Tori Lafky, Jenna Kopp, Melissa Moore, & Jessica Larson

Summer is a time of development for many young raptors in the Midwest, and The Raptor Center (TRC) has been growing alongside them. TRC is excited to introduce several additions to its team of experts.

The education department welcomed its new education director, Melissa Moore, in May. Prior to joining TRC, Moore was the curator of animals at the Peoria Zoo and brings years of experience managing ambassador collections to the team. In June, Max Borge transitioned into the position of outreach coordinator after serving as a naturalist at TRC since 2021.

The education team also gained two interpretive naturalists this fall, Scarlet Fitzsimmons and Jenna Kopp. Fitzsimmons has worked with the education department in various roles since 2018 and transitioned to the naturalist position in August. Kopp joined TRC in September after serving as a wildlife education specialist at Howell Nature Center in Michigan.

In June, TRC welcomed a new volunteer coordinator, Tori Lafky, who manages more than 300 volunteers providing essential services in every department. TRC also is thrilled to announce its first full-time communications coordinator, Jessica Larson, who joined the team in August. TRC looks forward to utilizing Larson’s extensive communications background to share its mission and ongoing work with the public.