People

I am the founder, president, and executive director of the International Raptor and Falconry Center. I am a raptor ecologist with a research emphasis on eagles, particularly Golden Eagles. I am a master falconer, environmental educator, and raptor rehabilitator. I hold a Ph.D. with my dissertation research focusing on Arizona’s Golden Eagle nesting ecology and productivity. I hold an MS in Environmental Policy and Management and an MS in Interdisciplinary Environmental Studies. With all that, my real passion and vision are to have a place that people can learn and experience the birds that I hold dear. I founded IRFC in March 2017. To my knowledge, I am one of the very few individuals that is a master falconer, researcher holding a Ph.D., rehabilitator, and educator. Although you can be one without the other, I set out to be an interdisciplinary expert that intertwines all expertise to provide me with unique insight.

I enjoy to spend time outside and painting. I like to look for interesting flowers and see how bees pollinate with them. Beaches are a place I love to relax at.

Justin's work as K-12 Science Coordinator in the town of Suffield CT focuses on deeping connections to community and nature for all students in the district though a platform called 'K-5 Outside.'  Using a place based lens, Justin is guiding a district with transition to place based education and actively working to enable teachers to take the learning outdoors.  Justin also serves as NAAE Affilate organization the Connecticut Outdoor and Environmental Educators Association (COEEA) president.