Our Mission
Founded in 1997 in Cedar City Utah, we are a 501c3 non-profit organization dedicated to wildlife rescue and rehabilitation, wildlife and environmental education internationally, and the development of the Cedar Canyon Nature Park.
Rescue, Rehabilitate and Release
The Southwest Wildlife Foundation of Utah (SWF) cares for more than 100 sick, injured and orphaned native wildlife annually. Restoring them to health and returning them to the wild is our primary goal, but for those that cannot be released due to disabilities, the Cedar Canyon Nature Park (CCNP) can provide them with a permanent home in a natural setting while enhancing our visitors educational experience at the park.
Informing, Educating and Inspiring
The SWF provides over 100 educational programs reaching over 30,000 people annually. We believe providing educational outreach programs to schools, scout groups and community events, with focus on children and families, will make the greatest impact in preserving our wildlife, the environment, our public lands and our resources for future generations to enjoy.
The CCNP is 22.6 acres of beautiful canyon property donated by Pacificorp, in Cedar City, Utah. We are in the process of developing a permanent wildlife rescue facility and Nature Park for the children of Utah. Sitting on the transition point between the Colorado Plateau and the Great Basin, the CCNP’s mission is focused on fostering appreciation, knowledge and wise stewardship of the Colorado Plateau and Great Basin environments, which include wildlife, botany, geology, history, and native culture.
Increased educational opportunities mean an increased awareness, knowledge and appreciation for the land we call home.
Wildlife Ambassadors
Scout, Golden Eagle
Scout was rescued by Martin back in April of 2006. A rancher in Wyoming was complaining that an eagle was a threat to his livestock. Martin traveled to rescue him before he got shot.
Videos with more about Scout:
Cirrus, Prairie Falcon
Cirrus arrived as a young bird from the wild and has been trained in falconry. She is an unusually calm Prairie Falcon which makes her an ideal educational bird.
Videos with more about Cirrus:
Piper, Prairie Falcon
Joining us as a young bird in 2018, he is vocal and full of attitude but nonetheless responding well to training.
Videos with more about Piper:
- Falconry | Prairie Falcon Training Part One
- Falconry | Prairie Falcon Training Part Two
- Falconry | Prairie Falcon Training Part 3 | Piper’s early free flights
Belle, Harris Hawk
Belle arrived from a breeder in New Orleans in August of 2018. Like most Harris Hawks, she is smart and sweet and already stealing hearts.
Videos with more about Belle:
- Have Birds Will Travel | Wildlife Ambassadors
- Falconry | Harris Hawk Belle Begins Training
- Falconry | Belle the Harris Hawk Training Part 2
- Falconry | Belle the Harris Hawk Training Part 3
Emeritus Wildlife Ambassadors
Bud, Golden Eagle
It took decades of Martin’s falconry experience and years of battling bureacracy, before Golden Eagle, Bud, joined the Southwest Wildlife Foundation as a Wildlife Ambassador and falconry bird. Martin became the first person ever licensed to keep a Golden Eagle for falconry and education. Bud was a depredation bird which means he was seen as a threat to livestock. Martin rescued him.
Thumper, Harris Hawk
Thumper lived over 28 years. The average lifespan of a Harris Hawk in the wild is 7-10 years. He was born in Martin’s captive breeding program and has been a falconry and educational bird all his life. Even long retired from hunting, he was a wonderful educational bird and wildlife ambassador.
BG, Northern Goshawk
BG arrived in June of 2016 while less than two weeks old. She was born in a captive breeding program. Her father is a Goshawk from Finland and her mother is an Arizona Apache Goshawk.
More about BG:
- BG The Goshawk, Part One
- BG the Goshawk, Part Two
- BG the Goshawk, Part Three
- Out with BG the Goshawk
- Preparing for free flights and hunting
Our Team
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Martin Tyner, CEO Martin as Founder and CEO has been at the helm of the Southwest Wildlife Foundation of Utah since the beginning. In addition to his Wildlife and Environmental experience, knowledge and licenses, he brings a wealth of project management and business acumen to the organization. |
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Daneane Gallardo, CDO dg brings over 15 years of experience in web based business models and technology. As an independent web developer, she has worked with many public figures decrypting the technical, fostering and protecting their web identities, and building their communities of followers. |
Volunteer Team
- Linda Berg
- Roy Tryon
- Douglas Chang
- Jacqualine Grant
- Lisa Cretsinger
- Vicki Swasey
- Charles Swasey
- Susan Wishner
- Kat Wilton
- Mark Houskeeper
- Pat Pfeiffer
- Tim Pfeiffer
- Kevin Andrews
- Emma Wood
- Melissa Shannon
- Shelley Sanchez
- Ali Jacobson
- KayAnne Cantonwine
- Sarah Brinton
- Nedra Mansor
Board of Directors
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Martin Tyner, Founder & CEO
At age twelve, Martin Tyner started caring for the sick, injured and orphaned creatures in his home town of Simi Valley, CA. At age nineteen, Tyner was hired as curator of birds of prey at Busch Gardens, CA. He worked in the movie and television industry training big cats, elephants, primates, sea mammals and raptors. Martin Tyner is a federally licensed falconer, eagle falconer, wildlife rehabilitator, wildlife propagator, and wildlife and environmental educator. He has been providing wildlife and environmental programs throughout the western United States, to schools, scouts and community groups for over forty years. |
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Susan Tyner, Co-founder & Secretary
Susan and Martin moved to Cedar City, UT, in the winter of 1979 where they raised two children. In 1982 they opened Tyner’s Pets and Dog Grooming where Martin ran the pet shop and Susan groomed dogs. Susan volunteered as a leader in 4-H, developing the Guide Dog for the Blind puppy program in Southern Utah. She has been grooming dogs professionally for over thirty years and is an award-winning, international, creative groomer. |
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Patrick Shannon, President |
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Mark Browne, Treasurer
I have been involved with the Southwest Wildlife Foundation for the past 9 years as treasurer. It is exciting to see the growth that the foundation has had during that time. When I started with SWF, I was the Coordinator of Volunteers for the Cedar City Police Department. I started the Volunteers in Police Service and ran it for 8 years. Prior to retiring and moving to Utah, I worked for U.S. Lock in Ontario, Ca. as Operations Manager. In 2005 I came to Utah to relax and enjoy my retirement. In 2012 my wife of more than 30 years, Joanne, passed away due to Cancer of the Gall Bladder. Since then I have remarried and Liz and I now live in St. George, UT. I remain committed to the success of the foundation and try to support Martin and Susan any way I can. The goals of the SWF, Wildlife rehabilitation, Education, and the development of the nature park, are all important to me. Our success is very important. |
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Ben Herring |
Financials 2018
104 Animal Rescues
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| Bald Eagles | 1 |
| Golden Eagles | 13 |
| Kestrel Falcon | 5 |
| Peregrine Falcon | 1 |
| Coopers Hawk | 5 |
| Ferruginuous Hawk | 1 |
| Red-Tailed Hawk | 7 |
| Sharp-Shinned Hawk | 6 |
| Swainson Hawk | 5 |
| Burrowing Owl | 1 |
| Great Horned Owl | 8 |
| Long Eared Owl | 1 |
| Turkey Vulture | 2 |
| Other Birds | 44 |
| Other Mammals | 4 |
| Total | 104 |
117 Wildlife Presentations
| Birds of Prey Long | 25 |
| Birds of Prey Short | 28 |
| Eagle Court of Honor | 23 |
| Field Excursions | 34 |
| Native Wildlife, Raptor & Environment | 3 |
| On-Site Programs/Activities | 4 |
| Total Educational Programs | 117 |
| Total Revenue | $166,378.45 |
| Total Expenditures | $117,115.54 |
88% Programs
5% Administrative
7% Fundraising
View our Annual Report
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