DONATE HERE

  • Home
  • About Us
    • Seaside News
    • Who We Are
    • Meet the Staff
    • Board of Directors
    • Reviews
    • Stats and Facts
    • Partners and Supporters
    • In the Media
  • Visit
    • Things To Do
    • Meet Our Birds
    • Sanctuary Map
  • Events
    • Event Calendar
    • Book A Tour
    • Host an Event
  • Bird Rescue
  • Online Store
  • Get Involved
    • Become a Volunteer
    • Community Service Program
    • Internship Program
    • Donate
  • Galleries
    • Videos
    • Exam Room Live Cam
  • Email Sign Up
  • More
    • Home
    • About Us
      • Seaside News
      • Who We Are
      • Meet the Staff
      • Board of Directors
      • Reviews
      • Stats and Facts
      • Partners and Supporters
      • In the Media
    • Visit
      • Things To Do
      • Meet Our Birds
      • Sanctuary Map
    • Events
      • Event Calendar
      • Book A Tour
      • Host an Event
    • Bird Rescue
    • Online Store
    • Get Involved
      • Become a Volunteer
      • Community Service Program
      • Internship Program
      • Donate
    • Galleries
      • Videos
      • Exam Room Live Cam
    • Email Sign Up
  • Home
  • About Us
  • Visit
  • Events
  • Bird Rescue
  • Online Store
  • Get Involved
  • Galleries
  • Email Sign Up

Seaside's Dedicated Staff & Volunteers

The Seaside Seabird Sanctuary is staffed with experienced employees and dedicated volunteers who all share the same passion for wildlife rehabilitation. It is due to its staff that allows Seaside to continue its important mission of rescuing, treating, and rehabilitating sick and injured wild birds.



Melissa Edwards, Avian Hospital Director

Melissa Edwards

Avian Hospital Director/Licensed Rehabber

Melissa joined the Sanctuary in October of 2017 and she is a state and federally licensed wildlife rehabilitator. Melissa earned her Bachelor of Science in Integrative Animal Biology from the University of South Florida, and spent several years volunteering and working with different wildlife organizations. Her first internship was at the MARS Wildlife Centre on Vancouver Island and she then went on to volunteer with Owl’s Nest Sanctuary for Wildlife while finishing her degree. Melissa completed a Fellowship at the Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife (CROW) on Sanibel Island where she worked under their veterinary team and gained advanced experience in wildlife medicine. While she has worked with a variety of species, from Harbour Seal pups to sea turtles to opossums, birds have always been her favorite and her specialty. Her favorite species are Laysan Albatrosses and Ospreys, but the list goes on and on. When she’s not working in our hospital, you can find Melissa tending to her garden or birding with her camera.


Justin Pirelli, Assistant Hospital Manager

Justin Perelli

Assistant Hospital Manager

Justin joined the Seaside family in January of 2018. Justin is a US Navy veteran. Prior to joining Seaside, Justin had been interning at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium since 2010. At the Aquarium, Justin worked in their hospital rehabilitating injured marine animals. 


Dylan Kahn, volunteer coordinator

Dylan Kahn

Avian Hospital Technician / Volunteer coordinator

Dylan joined the Seaside family in December of 2019. Prior to Seaside, Dylan worked at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium from 2015-2017, and as a Laboratory Technician at Marinco Bioassay Lab from 2017-2020. In addition, Dylan worked intermittently for the Audubon Society since 2014. Dylan holds a bachelor’s degree in biology.


Amy N, avian hospital technician and raptor handler

Amy N.

Avian Hospital Technician/RAPTOR hANDLER

Amy has been with the Seaside family since 2016 as an Avian Hospital Technician. Prior to coming to the Sanctuary, Amy worked as an ophthalmic technician at the Eye Institute of West Florida for over a decade. She also spent four years volunteering with the St. Petersburg Audubon Society working in their Black Simmer Protection and Education program. Amy played a huge role in training Rufous the Eastern Screech Owl who was our very first Avian Ambassador after he was admitted into our hospital for treatment and deemed non-releasable. Amy and Rufous give several educational presentations a year as well as “Reading with Rufous” on the weekends. She also has begun assisting in training one of our newest residents, Cybil the Red-shouldered Hawk. When Amy isn’t at the Sanctuary, you can find her birding or watching movies with her cat Irban.


Site Content

Christina Chilbert

Christina Chilbert

Development & Marketing Administrator/ Office Manager

Christina joined the Sanctuary in August of 2020. Christina earned her Bachelor of Science in Ecology and Natural Resources from Rutgers University in New Jersey. Christina has worked with several different species of animals for the past 20 years. Christina began her career with animals as a veterinary technician for 15 years before moving into the zookeeping field. She completed an internship working with Black Rhinos and other hoof stock at Fossil Rim Wildlife Center in Glen Rose, Texas. Fundraising and conservation education are two of her passions that she is able to combine while working at the Sanctuary. While not fundraising, marketing or doing office work for the Sanctuary Christina can found wandering the beaches looking for seashells and other beach treasures.


Site Content

Kyle Wood

Kyle Wood

Avian Hospital Technician

Kyle joined the Seaside family in August of 2020. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science and Policy From the University of South Florida. Prior to becoming part of the hospital staff, Kyle was an intern at the Sanctuary. While completing his internship, he discovered his passion for working with birds of all species. In his off time, Kyle can be found playing with his plethora of pets or foraging for fine food with his family.


Chris Walls

Chris Walls

Avian Keeper

Chris has been with Seaside since its founding in 2016. Prior to joining Seaside, Chris worked for the Suncoast Seabird Sanctuary from 2011-2016.


Rescue Team Volunteers:

Rescue Team Volunteers are "on call" volunteers who respond to calls coming into Seaside's injured bird hotline and who rescue / transport sick and injured birds to Seaside's hospital.

Seaside Seabird Sanctuary Rescue Team Volunteer.

Kim

Rescue Team Volunteer

Seaside Seabird Sanctuary Rescue Team Volunteer.

Kyle

Rescue Team Volunteer

Seaside Seabird Sanctuary Rescue Team Volunteer.

P.J.

Rescue Team Volunteer

Seaside Seabird Sanctuary Rescue Team Volunteer.

Julie

Rescue Team Volunteer


Outdoor Avian Care Volunteers:

Outdoor Avian Care Volunteers work in the Sanctuary doing various jobs such as cleaning pools, landscaping, feeding the permanent resident birds, etc.

Seaside Seabird Sanctuary Outside Volunteer.

Demos Youman

Outdoor Avian Care Volunteer

Seaside Seabird Sanctuary Outside Volunteer.

Cressida

Outdoor Avian Care Volunteer


Avian Hospital Volunteers

Avian hospital volunteers work inside the Dr. Marie L. Farr Avian Hospital where they assist hospital staff with bird admissions, examinations, food prep, cleaning, etc.

Seaside Seabird Sanctuary Resident Baker

Bailey

Curator of Baked Goods

Bird Handlers/Demonstrators

Bird Handler Carol

Carol

Bird Handler/Demonstrator 

  • Home
  • Event Calendar
  • Bird Rescue
  • Online Store
  • Donate
  • Email Sign Up

Seaside Seabird Sanctuary

18328 Gulf Blvd., Indian Shores, FL 33785

(727) 391-6211

​​​​The Seaside Seabird Sanctuary is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.

Federal Tax ID #: 81-3774704


Copyright © 2020 Seaside Seabird Sanctuary - All Rights Reserved.

SIGN UP FOR THE LATEST NEWS FROM THE BIRDS

Sign up for our email list and be the first to know about the latest sanctuary news, events, volunteers opportunities, and more!

SIGN UP

This website uses cookies.

We use cookies to analyze website traffic and optimize your website experience. By accepting our use of cookies, your data will be aggregated with all other user data.

DeclineAccept