Who is IRFC?
IRFC’s Story…
IRFC was founded in June 2017, by Michele Losee, Ph.D. as a decade old aspiration of having a Center that represents a true clearinghouse of knowledge of ‘all things raptor’.
A place of gaining knowledge through science and education for anyone with an interest regarding raptors.
A ‘one-stop-shop’ location with the expertise and access to learn and experience.
I get asked about our logo a lot. The inspiration came from an eagle pendant made by the Hopi Tribe. It is generally the only necklace I wear.
And my favorite color is teal so, IRFC’s color is teal.
I wanted IRFC to come into fruition much sooner but, the Universe delivers things in the time frame that is right and that was the summer of 2017. Suffering from serious imposter syndrome and letting stressful life events get in the way, I had dithered and procrastinated long enough.
But 2017 was it!
Ready or not, I jumped off both feet and went all in.
I obsessively pumped out admin documents, filled out legal requirements, got permits, designed this and designed that, agreed on a logo design, built the website, and organized for two new Flying Team members to arrive in early July; all while quickly self-educating to navigate a steep learning curve. (Scientist/Falconer not a business person) 😉
At the end of June 2017, we received our letter from the IRS granting us 501(c)3 status.
And IRFC was a REALTY! It was such an exciting and scary time!
Where we Work!
We serve the Northern Arizona region*, with dividing our time in the Flagstaff and Sedona area.
This is our commute in between Flagstaff and Sedona, we enjoy the beautiful Oak Creek Canyon drive.
*Although we mostly stay in our region, IRFC’s goal is to expand outside our region and state with the ultimate vision being globally.
First Educational Outreach -
Earth Day 2017 in Flagstaff!
Within a six-week period and our logo hot off the digital press...
We managed:
to have T-shirts made,
table and a tablecloth with logo,
some visual educational props,
and convinced Coral she was now an education bird instead of just a falconry bird
then right after this event, we participated in the March for Science!
We threw this event together at the last minute and managed to pull it off!
Flying Team?? Kieran was only a month old, still with his parents and Finley wasn’t even born yet,
...so Coral was IRFC’s first (and only) Flying Team member. She loves doing outreach; hates everything else…yeah, I don’t get it either.
It was hot, windy, crowded downtown Flagstaff, I was nervous how this would turnout but it was FUN.
Other than Falconry Experiences, this type of outreach is my favorite.
Over the next few years since that day, we have gone on to inspire thousands of people to care about their natural world through the connections made with the Flying Team.
We have also had some big successes and setbacks; but are as determined to move forward as we were that first outreach event.
Sadly, the first two birds that we were anxiously waiting to arrive are no longer with us. We will honor their contributions to raptor conservation and celebrate their legacies. Click on the buttons below to learn about these two birds and their legacies.
We will celebrate new additions to the Flying Team and they will continue the mission Kieran and Finley started.
IRFC has accomplished a lot in a short time, with nearly half that time during a global pandemic, but there’s a lot more to be done.
I will not burden you with the numbers and stats, you can check out Our Impact page for those details:
What I want this page to be about is “Who is IRFC?” as an organization by sharing our core values, leadership, goals and vision for IRFC’s future.
Our mission is to make the world a better place for raptors through education and science.
We cannot make the world a better place without both SCIENCE AND EDUCATION; conservation does not happen in a vacuum.
Science of research to gain knowledge, science of avian medicine to treat raptors, and the education to allow us to apply what we learn and safeguard for the future.
Our Culture
At IRFC, inclusiveness is at our core. We uphold a strict no-tolerance policy against any form of discrimination. This principle is thoroughly embedded in our By-Laws. If you're interested in reviewing them, simply email us for a copy.
Bullying is also strictly prohibited. Whether online or in person, and regardless of the connection to IRFC, we ensure a safe learning environment that supports personal growth and development within our community.
Our leadership and mentorship philosophy is grounded in leading by example. We practice what we preach, showcasing our values through our actions.
We avoid micromanagement, instead offering new falconers, educators, and raptor enthusiasts countless opportunities to discover, explore, and hone new skills. Our key requirement for those learning with us is absolute dedication, integrity, and discipline, with a commitment to excellence.
We don't seek perfection, but we encourage striving for continuous improvement, even if it’s just by 1% at a time. It’s the effort that truly counts.
Organizational Values and Leadership
This section was written for those wondering what makes IRFC different or ‘Are the birds treated well?’ So, there might be some information that is a bit prolonged but this aligns with the core value of transparency. And this is by no means the extent of our standards for the birds.
If you have any questions about any of this, please reach out and we will be happy to answer.
IRFC’s culture is one of intentional authenticity and transparency.
In the world of nonprofits, where revenue depends on the goodwill of the public through donations and participation of our programs, we value the public’s trust in our organization’s leadership.
Every year, Michele takes the time to update our Guide Star transparency rating to the highest level of Platinum. Check out our profile here!
Not all organizations offering experiences are nonprofits (even though some falsely claim to be) and serve the community they share. We are a nonprofit with 501(c)3 status and we do serve our community and beyond!
The funding we receive from Experiences and other paid programs, allows us to do the important educational and conservation outreach as well as lowers the financial burden on IRFC so we don’t need to pass it onto our community.
This is Coral, our female Harris Hawk, going after a cottontail in a dramatic wing-over and slamming into the brush. She did miss it but still cool to watch.
In the world of YouTube and social media, falconry can often be portrayed through stunning videos that make the practice seem effortless. However, it's crucial for new falconers and the general public to understand the intense dedication, time, patience and discipline required in this field. The moments captured in these videos represent the best highlights of the best days in a falconer's and bird's season or even lifetime. The reality of daily falconry involves hard work and consistent effort, often built on years of experience.
Sadly, the unique nature of falconry can make it easy for frauds, unethical practices and incompetent individuals to appear knowledgeable. This can mislead new falconers, the public; thus, potentially endangering the well-being of the birds. At IRFC, we are committed to transparency. We regularly share behind-the-scenes content that includes the hard work, struggles, mistakes and successes. By watching our videos, you can learn from our experiences and be better prepared for your own journey in falconry or peace of mind in supporting IRFC.
IRFC is dedicated to change and advocacy through education and research, not entertainment. Sometimes, the truths we share might be uncomfortable, but real change is necessary for progress. We strongly oppose any form of complacency or unethical behavior, as these can harm the raptors we are committed to protecting.
Raptors are not just property; they have feelings, emotions and preferences just like us. They deserve to be treated with the same respect and care as any other living being. At IRFC, we believe that every raptor's life is as valuable as any other life on Earth. Raptors in captivity serve as crucial ambassadors for conservation, helping us educate the public and advocate for their wild counterparts.
Falconers and raptor educators bear a great responsibility. When we choose to bring a bird out of the wild or raise it in captivity, we must make the best decisions for their well-being. Our goal is to provide a quality of life that exceeds what they would experience in the wild.
Complacency has no place at IRFC. Many accidents, injuries, illnesses and deaths can be prevented with extra effort, continuous learning and attention to detail. We are committed to taking the necessary time and resources to ensure our birds are safe, healthy and happy. Every decision we make prioritizes their well-being, and we refuse to take any actions that would compromise their safety.
As a mentor or sponsor for falconry, I hold my apprentices to the same high standards. Mentoring requires significant time and effort, and I expect dedication from those I sponsor. By upholding these standards, we ensure the well-being of the birds and the integrity of our culture.
Success in falconry is not measured by the number of kills or trophies but by the health, happiness and skills of the birds we care for. True falconry involves a deep commitment to the welfare of these incredible creatures and a constant pursuit of excellence.
Organizational Standards and Practices
Educational Program and Content Standards
At IRFC, we are committed to providing educational programs that maximize the learning experience for our participants. Our goal is to inspire individuals to improve their corner of the world for raptors.
Our programs are grounded in science-based facts and enriched with knowledge gained from lived experience through our culture of falconry. Both sources of knowledge are continually updated, and we take our responsibility to stay current with academic literature seriously. We avoid misinformed opinions in our programs; while opinions are important, they are not facts. We are always learning and will never know it all.
The intellectual structure of our programs is based on decades of intentional, formal education and skill development. This is not a hobby for us but a lifelong commitment built with intention from the start.
Our Practices
Our programs are delivered with professionalism and principled practices. For educational programs, we create student-centered lesson plans and our adult presentations are developed using facts from academic literature.
We employ only ethical training methods and responsible interactions with the public. You will not see us allowing people to handle species with known aggressive behavior, such as the Ferruginous Hawk, or allowing small children to hold large birds, such as large owls. We do not perform irresponsible stunts, like flying a bird through people's arms or towards their faces, and we do not allow birds to sit on people's heads or shoulders; if they do it, we discourage the behavior promptly.
We do not fly our birds through the moult, as this can cause partial molting and withholding nutrients during this time is not ideal for their health. Additionally, we do not perch our birds on perches during programs or events. Instead, we prefer to hold them on the glove to manage their stress levels, allowing us to move them away from stressful situations.
During free-flying programs and experiences, we only fly birds in safe environments. This means no flying in spaces with uncovered windows, near enclosures with potentially dangerous animals, obstacles or busy roadways. We avoid urban environments with dangerous power lines, toxins, mirrored buildings, moving hazards or nearby traffic.
We use only proper falconry equipment in good condition, avoiding dog leashes or improper clips. Our birds are not flown with mews jesses or large equipment on their legs, and we avoid big loops made with zip-ties that can get caught and break a leg. All our birds are flown using telemetry, with transmitters secured in the safest way that each bird can tolerate, preferably using backpacks.
If you want to see these practices, ‘in-use’ or discussed; many are covered in videos on our YouTube Channel.
Ethical Considerations in Falconry
It's important to acknowledge that not all organizations or individuals in the raptor field maintain high standards. Unfortunately, there are unethical practices and incompetence that endanger the birds and provide substandard or inaccurate educational programs.
At IRFC, we stand firmly against these practices. Our commitment to ethical and responsible falconry is unwavering, and we strive to set a high standard for others to follow. Our focus is on the well-being of the birds and the integrity of our educational content, ensuring that our programs are both accurate and impactful.
By adhering to these standards, we aim to foster a community of knowledgeable and responsible falconers and educators who prioritize the health and safety of raptors.
Every single decision made is made with the birds’ well-being the foremost priority and if the outcome of any decision has risk; we don’t do it. Period.
No rabbit, squirrel, opportunity or money or … is worth the lives of our birds.
IRFC’s Vision and Goals
Our ultimate vision for the Center is to be a specialty wildlife center dedicated to only raptors.
A place for the public to visit and enjoy a collection of international species of birds of prey.
A place of centralized learning, inspiration and support for the humans that love raptors and so raptors can have a better world.
This future will include providing specialized avian medical care, advanced rehabilitation to injured or sick raptors, which at present is completely absent in northern Arizona, as well as continuing cutting edge research.
Current goals are:
[PRIORITY] to obtain land (2+ acres) in order to build an ‘open to the public’ center. This would enable us to expand our offerings such as avian medicine, rehab and onsite education as well as expand the Flying Team and collection of species for the public to enjoy and learn from. This would provide community opportunities such as job experience and internships for those wanting to go to vet school or wildlife fields or even a lifelong career; my legacy has to be left to someone. The absence of land is stunting IRFC’s growth and the public’s opportunities.
With the above goal met; we plan to move the center to the Sedona area. Please see our migration campaign HERE!
to increase digital offerings in educational programs for schools and organizations.
to create various internships to help new careers and help IRFC with growth and fill skillset deficiencies. Grants will be written in hopes to pay interns a fair, living wage.