We are here to serve
We believe that what we’ve been called to do, rehabilitate injured raptors & care for the non-releasble as ambassadors for their world, is a blessing!
Every day we wake up and drift off to sleep to the sounds of owls, either our education birds or the ones in rehab. We often times hear them call in the wild owls which is also very exciting and educational. The annual migrations go right over top of our facility which is not only beautiful to observe but teaches us so much.
Our Valuable Skills
Our Valuable Team Members
Bernie brings his experience and expertise in not-for-profit board development and operational structure to the Smoky Mountain Raptor Center board. He served as CEO for three different not-for-profit continuing care retirement communities for over forty years. In addition he served on a number of not-for-profit boards including chairing the Blount County Public Library Board of Trustees and the United Board of Directors. He currently serves on the Arconic Foundation Community Advisory Board and the Hearing and Speech Foundation Board. In a prior life in Iowa Bernie chaired the Mt. Vernon Planning and Zoning Commission; the Parks and Recreation Commission; and, served for a time on the Mt. Vernon, Iowa City Council.
Natalie is the founder of the Smoky Mountain Raptor Center and has provide the energy and effort to grow her vision into a well-functioning not-for-profit entity focused on rehabilitation of and education related to all birds of prey. She trained and interned at the Carolina Raptor Center for both her education and rehabilitation permit. Natalie maintains her raptor-related skills and information as a member of the International Association of Avian Trainers and Educators and a member of the International Wildlife Rehab Council. Natalie has also brought WREN (Wildlife Rehabiliation and Education Network) highest certification to the Smoky Mountain Raptor Center. In Natalie’s life, the birds do more for her than she does for them.
Tim is truly a man of many talents from working on aircraft and space shuttle engines and thrusters to automobiles. For SMRC his considerable talents as a carpenter, building designer and plumber have been invaluable. He can make and/or repair almost anything! In his free time he enjoys fishing, camping, hiking – and just being around a campfire.
Cameran brings a life-time of skills and experience to the Smoky Mountain Raptor Center board, including fund raising and grant procurement; leadership; teamwork and communication. She is currently the Owner and Head Winemaker at Cades Cove Cellars in Townsend, Tennessee. Cameran is also an attorney, having served as a Tennessee District Attorney General, and she has a degree in Criminal Justice. Her greatest accomplishment is being the mother of two amazing children.
Tab’s roots run deep in Blount County, in fact eight generations of his family have called this place home. As a duly licensed Attorney-at Law and Certified Public Accountant, he is uniquely qualified to advise individuals and businesses on issues of tax, estate planning, asset protection and other financial matters. Tab holds a Juris Doctor and Masters in Business Administration as well as a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. He has supported a number of not-for-profit organizations over the years and he and his wife are raising three daughters.
Dr. Backus has been SMRC’s veterinarian since 2016 – and as such as been a tremendous asset to the team. She has worked as a veterinarian since 1988, most recently with Countryside Veterinary Services in Louisville, Tennessee. Dr. Backus has the unusual accomplishment of having both a doctorate in veterinary medicine, and also a doctorate in philosophy. As a member of the National Reining Horse Association she shows horses at both the state and national level. And she has a TV Style Show on WBIR once a month. It is hard to overstate the positive contribution Dr. Backus has made to SMRC’s raptor rehab and education efforts since joining the SMRC team. Dr. Backus is married and has three adult sons, two in the Army Guard and the third an Assistant Beef Herdsman.
Victoria is the Team Lead Board Member in charge of Fundraising, and she has been working as a volunteer with SMRC for the past two years. She was instrumental in helping raise over $6000 for the center in 2017. She is an employee of the University of Tennessee Libraries, as well as a graduate student in the School of Information Sciences there.