Walter spent his boyhood years in Venezuela, where his father worked as a field engineer for a petroleum company. The exotic birds in the jungles of South America caught the attention of the young boy and his interest in them eventually led Crawford to his life’s work — the propagation, rescue, rehabilitation, and preservation of birds, especially birds of prey.  Crawford, a Vietnam veteran, received a bachelor’s degree from Southeast Missouri State University and a master’s degree from Mississippi State University. After joining the staff of the St. Louis Zoological Park, he was recognized by the American Association of Zoological Parks and Aquariums for the first captive breeding of the Bateleur Eagle. He was cited for the first captive breeding of the Mottled Owl. With the blessing and support of the Zoo’s Director Emeritus, Marlin Perkins, in 1977 Crawford founded what eventually came to be known as the World Bird Sanctuary. In 1982 he left the zoo to work full-time at the sanctuary.  Today the sanctuary, formerly known as the Raptor Rehabilitation and Propagation Project (RRPP), is one of North America’s largest conservation facilities for birds.

Crawford has been recognized many times for his leadership in ornithology. In 1982, the Conservation Federation of Missouri named him Conservationist of the Year for his work with endangered raptors in the Midwestern United States. Two years later, the sanctuary received the Conservation Organization of the Year award for preserving birds of prey throughout Missouri. Crawford received Distinguished Alumni Awards from both the School of Polytechnic Studies and the Agriculture Department of Southeast Missouri State University in recognition of his environmental and conservation efforts. He was awarded the “Lifetime Achievement” award from the National Wildlife Rehabilitation Association in 1993 for his life’s work in protecting the world’s bird species. Being the recipient of the “Gorilla, Gorilla, Gorilla” Award for his work in education and preservation of biodiversity from the Zoological Society of Milwaukee County in 1994 was especially significant since it was only the fourth time it had been presented. In 1997, the International Wildlife Rehabilitation Council (IWRC) awarded Walter the International Achievement Award for his work in wildlife conservation and habitat preservation. This was the first time the IWRC has given such an award. In 1999 the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution presented Walter with the Conservation Award for his dedication to the preservation of the national resources of our country, its soils, minerals, forests, waters and wildlife. The society also awarded Walter the Excellence in Community Service Award for his efforts to educate the children of St. Louis, our state and nation, as well as the Certificate of Award for Conservation from the Missouri State Society and the Conservation Award of Exceptional Merit from the O’Fallon Chapter of the society. The US Army Corps of Engineers also applauded Crawford’s conservation efforts by giving him the Award of Appreciation for his commitment to our Nation’s Public Lands and Natural Resources.

Walt Crawford’s contributions to conservation are recognized internationally. In 1991 the government of Guyana appointed him curator of ornithology and avian research for the Guyana Zoo in Georgetown. As curator of ornithology Crawford is helping the South American country restore its threatened native bird populations. That year the government of Grenada sought Crawford’s help in rescuing a number of animals abandoned by a poacher involved in the illegal international trade of birds and animals in that country.  Crawford’s peers in ornithology have elected him as a member of the Explorers Club, a multidisciplinary society dedicated to scientific exploration and field research. He was a founding member of the National Wildlife Rehabilitators Association (NWRA) and served as vice-president for eight years. He is past president of the International Association of Avian Trainers and Educators (IAATE). He has served two terms as president of IAATE. Walter is also an active member in numerous other ornithology and wildlife organizations.

The work being done by Crawford and the rest of the World Bird Sanctuary staff has been enhanced through the creation of the World Environmental Education Center (WEEC). Under Crawford’s direction the WEEC is headquarters for an exciting combination of rescue, rehabilitation, research and education. Walter’s philosophy is simple: “I am fortunate to be able to do what I love in life and I am always pleased to share my interests and passion for wildlife and this planet with anyone who is willing to listen.”

Contact World Bird Sanctuary:

125 Bald Eagle Ridge Road

Valley Park, MO 63088

636-861-3225      Fax: 636-861-3240