Meet Devin Jaffe

Today we’d like to introduce you to Devin Jaffe.

Hi Devin, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I founded Nature’s Educators my senior year in college (2008) and have worked hard to grow it. Over the years, I was able to bring in enough funds to quit my full-time job and be able to run this organization full-time and even hire a great staff team! We have incredible volunteers that dedicate hundreds of hours each year to care for our animals and give educational presentations. Nature’s Educators now gives close to 2000 presentations annually all over the state of Colorado and surrounding states! In partnership with Colorado Healing Acres, we now have a public nature center in Florence and just purchased 9 acres next to it and are beginning construction on our new home base which will include office space, raptor aviaries, hiking trails, and an amphitheater. Very exciting!

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
Definitely not! I worked a full-time job 2008-2014 while doing Nature’s Ed on the side trying to grow the organization. We have operated out of my home for many years to save the org money. This in itself has its difficulties and stresses. Raising funds is also extremely difficult. We are up against a lot of larger organizations that have grant writers and have spent a long time advertising themselves. Some years are harder than others and this year especially has been very trying. It is difficult to find help as well as funding to pay help. Caring for animal ambassadors is extremely costly. Our ambassador team is large due to how many programs we do. Our food bill alone is over $20,000 annually.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am a professional Environmental Educator and founded and operate Nature’s Educators. I am also a licensed Master Falconer; am a raptor propagator and founded Mile High Falcons; and do falconry-based bird abatement under Wings Over Colorado. My specialty is falcons and I have cared for many species from all over the world! I have handled over 60 different species of raptors and have given educational presentations all over the US and even internationally. I’m most proud of building up Nature’s Educators and bringing in enough funding to the point of having an incredible staff team! What sets us apart is that not only do we do flight demos, our programs are educational. We are less about the “watch this bird fly over you” aspect and more about “watch this bird fly, but also how can we conserve the habitats they live in?”

Who else deserves credit in your story?
My husband and parents have been and are the biggest supporters of my career and the organization! My parents helped me build my mews and helped me with my very first programs in the community. They still continue to help with projects, programs, and fundraising! My husband, Evan, is the most loving, supportive, understanding person I know. Without his support and guidance, Nature’s Educators would not exist today.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.natureseducators.org