Valerie is the Founder and Director of Raptor Ridge Wildlife Education based out of Elmore County. With a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Auburn University at Montgomery, she developed and implemented many “Train the Trainer” programs for new leaders and teams. She transitioned those teaching skills to wildlife as a Senior Docent at the Montgomery Zoo and Mann Wildlife Museum. Teaching the public about both native and non-native species and their integral part in their respective ecosystems allowed her to utilize those skills while also sharing her passion for nature. She developed Raptor Ridge Wildlife Education as an outreach program dedicated to teaching the public about Alabama’s amazing biodiversity and the raptors that call Alabama home. Her “Reading with Raptors” program is dedicated to fostering a love for reading among our young people while also developing an appreciation for our native raptors. Raptor Ridge Wildlife Education and Valerie have been recognized for their contributions as an Alabama State Parks 2024 Eagle Award Winner and as the 2025 Best Environmental Educator by the Environmental Education Association of Alabama. Valerie is also member of the first class of Certified Alabama Master Naturalists.
