At Shaver’s Creek Environmental Center, the work goes far beyond caring for animals. It’s about shaping futures, sparking curiosity, and building meaningful connections between people and the natural world. Few embody that mission more than Joe Whitehead.
A Passion That Took Flight
Joe’s journey into the world of birds didn’t start in a lab or a classroom; it started in his backyard. He often jokes that “every child needs two things: a dog and a parent willing to let them have one.” While a dog wasn’t in the cards, his parents supported his curiosity in other ways, including letting him raise a chicken named Henny. That early bond became his first meaningful connection with a bird and, ultimately, the foundation for a lifelong passion.
From raising pheasants in high school to studying wildlife technology at Penn State DuBois, Joe’s path steadily took shape. Influential mentors like Emily Thomas and Mike Nolan helped guide him, while hands-on experiences like working with songbirds, leading ecotours in Delaware, and banding ospreys deepened both his scientific knowledge and his love for education. Stops at a zoo in Tacoma, Washington, and eventually Shaver’s Creek brought him full circle, where he now manages the Klingsberg Aviary and works with ambassador birds and the students who help care for them.
More Than Animal Care
Joe’s role is a careful balancing act. On one side, he’s responsible for the daily care and well-being of ambassador birds. On the other, he’s mentoring the next generation of wildlife professionals. And at the heart of it all is a simple truth: this work requires real emotional investment.
“Animals need you; they always need you,” he explains. That constant responsibility can be challenging, which is why Joe emphasizes the importance of teamwork. The strength of the aviary program lies not just in the birds, but in the people behind it. Trusting students and colleagues to share in that responsibility isn’t always easy, but at Shaver’s Creek, it’s what makes the program thrive. Students aren’t just observers; they’re participants. Whether they’re actively training birds or learning through observation, Joe ensures they’re immersed in every aspect of the work. It’s not just about helping today’s animals; it’s about preparing tomorrow’s professionals.
Stories That Change Perspectives
Ask Joe to pick a favorite bird, and he’ll hesitate, but one story stands out. Stellar, a male goshawk at the aviary, represents more than just a species. In Europe, goshawks were once seen as noble providers, even used to hunt and feed families. In Pennsylvania, however, they were viewed as threats. By the early 20th century, bounty systems were put in place to eliminate them. That history stuck with Joe from a young age, eventually leading him to work with the Appalachian Goshawk Project in college. Now, with the species considered endangered in Pennsylvania, Stellar plays a powerful role in telling that story. Through him, visitors are challenged to rethink how humans interact with wildlife and how quickly perception can shape reality.
Then there’s Jerudi, a barred owl with a gentler kind of impact. She’s Joe’s go-to when he needs a reminder of why the work matters. Whether she’s connecting with visitors at events or simply offering a quiet moment of joy, Jerudi represents the emotional side of conservation—the part that inspires people to care.
Education as a Conversation
For Joe, education isn’t about lectures; it’s about connection. Inspired by Steve Irwin’s belief that passion drives learning, Joe and his team focus on creating experiences rather than presentations. “The birds are the icebreaker,” he says. Instead of telling people what birds can do, they let the birds show them. Visitors are encouraged to ask questions, follow their curiosity, and engage in a shared exploration. It’s less about delivering information and more about sparking something deeper that lasts beyond the visit. That philosophy has a ripple effect. When people leave Shaver’s Creek inspired, they’re more likely to continue learning, caring, and advocating for wildlife in their own lives.
Shaping the Next Generation
Joe’s impact extends far beyond the visitors who pass through the aviary; it’s deeply felt by the students he mentors. From day one, he takes time to understand their goals, helping them map out what they want from their experience and how to get there.
He’s also honest about the realities of the field while encouraging students to challenge assumptions and pursue ideas others may consider impossible. Throughout his career, Joe has worked with species that many in the zoological field believed could not be effectively trained, from venomous pit vipers to parent-reared owls, goshawks, and sandhill cranes. His work developing a venomous snake training program, publishing on the subject, and presenting those successes has reinforced a lesson he hopes students carry with them: just because something hasn’t been done before doesn’t mean it can’t be done. Curiosity, thoughtful questions, and a willingness to explore new possibilities often lead to the most meaningful breakthroughs.
Through hands-on experience, goal-setting, and industry connections, Joe helps students take that next step, whether it’s into zoos, veterinary schools, or other wildlife programs. Watching them grow and succeed is, in his words, one of the most rewarding parts of the job.
A Lasting Impact
Joe Whitehead’s work at Shaver’s Creek is about more than birds. It’s about the connection between people and wildlife, between students and their futures, and between curiosity and action. Through his passion, mentorship, and dedication, he’s helping shape not only how people understand the natural world but how they choose to care for it. And in a place built on outreach, that kind of impact reaches far beyond the aviary.
Experience the Aviary for Yourself
For those inspired by Joe’s story, the Klingsberg Aviary offers an opportunity to experience that connection firsthand. Home to Shaver’s Creek’s ambassador birds, the aviary serves as a living classroom where visitors can observe wildlife up close, ask questions, and learn about conservation through meaningful interactions. It’s a place where curiosity takes flight, and where the lessons Joe shares every day continue to inspire future wildlife professionals, lifelong learners, and nature enthusiasts alike.