WHEN THE FIRST RAPTOR – A BROAD-WINGED HAWK -- WAS BROUGHT TO UNC-CHARLOTTE ORNITHOLOGIST RICHARD BROWN IN 1975, THE RAPTOR CENTER WAS BORN. IN 1979, ENTER STUDENT DEB SUE GRIFFIN, WHO CARED FOR HER FIRST BIRD AS PART OF HER BIOLOGY STUDIES. SIX BIRDS WERE ADMITTED THAT YEAR INTO A MAKESHIFT CLINIC IN THE BASEMENT OF UNCC’S BIOLOGY BUILDING.
HISTORICAL MILESTONES
1975
First bird admitted – a Broad-winged Hawk
1981
Co-founded by Dr. Richard Brown and Deb Sue Griffin
1981
Incorporated as a non-profit 501(c)3 organization Carolina Raptor Rehabilitation and Research Center”
1984
Moved to Latta Nature Preserve in 1984
1985
First Eagle Scout project completed by Greg McGwier
1986
A grant from Mecklenburg County allows CRC to hire its first three staffers
1987
Osprey hacking project ends: a total of nine young birds are released at two sites over three years
2008
First Staff Vet hired – Dave Scott, DVM
2014
Celebrated 30 years in Latta Nature Preserve
2015
CRC Hosts International Association of Avian Trainers and Educators
FACILITY MILESTONES
1984
First display enclosures constructed for Santigi and Sigmund, Red-tailed Hawks, and Campbell, an imprinted vulture
1991
Amphitheater completed (Eagle Scout Project)
1992
Edna Moretti Environmental Education Building dedicated
1996
Betty J. & J. Stanley Livingston Eagle Aviary dedicated
1997
Jim Arthur Rehabilitation Facility dedicated
2010
Raptors of the Silver Screen Exhibit opened
2012
Owl Forest supported through a gift from Bruce and Nancy Roberts dedicated
2013
Weyerhaueser Flight Training facility (108’ long) completed
2014
Vulture Culture Exhibit Opens
2018
Broke ground on Quest
2021
Grand Opening of Quest Nature Cente
BIRDS ADMITTED MILESTONES
1986
Patient #1,000 admitted – an Eastern Screech Owl
1995
Patient #5,000 admitted – a Red-tailed Hawk
2003
Patient #10,000 admitted – an Eastern Screech Owl
2011
Patient #15,000 admitted – a baby Great Horned Owl
2016
Patient #20,000 admitted
2022
Patient #25,000 admitted
EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS
1987-1989 – Richard Brown
1989-1996 – PATRICIA MARCUM
1996-1998 – BILL VEACH
1999 – JIM MILES
1999-2008 – ALAN BARNHARDT
2008 -2011 – JOY BRAUNSTEIN
2011-2022 – JIM WARREN
2022 - PRESENT – Erin Katzner
INTERIM EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS
JIM ARTHUR
ROB BIERREGARD
JOHN NORRIS
DAVID MIDDLETON