The Gail E. Abrams Wildlife Ambassador Fund

Piedmont Wildlife Center is proud to present our new Husbandry and Intern Coordinator.

Kyra Thurow Bartow (she/her) is an accomplished environmental educator, avian conservationist and enthusiast, curriculum developer, and raptor trainer dedicated to inspiring others to explore and conserve the natural world through birds. She began her career at the Osprey Wilds Environmental Learning Center in Minnesota, where she trained raptors and led adventure courses. Her passion for community engagement flourished as an Outreach Educator at the Pine Knoll Shores Aquarium in North Carolina. Highlights of her career include serving as Education Coordinator at the Greenville Zoo in South Carolina, where she developed inclusive programming, and as Camp Director at Marbles Kids Museum, providing essential youth programs during the COVID-19 pandemic. At the Prairie Ridge Ecostation in Raleigh, she created positive nature experiences for the community. Now finding a home at Piedmont Wildlife Center, Kyra works to ensure the ambassador animals have the best care possible and relishes working with the raptors in every capacity. Kyra has also held leadership roles as President-Elect, President, and Past President of the Environmental Educators of North Carolina, fostering connections among science professionals statewide. With her expertise and master’s degree from Project Dragonfly of Miami University of Ohio, Kyra aims to promote a more inclusive and harmonious birding community for both people and birds.