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Team Leaders

Team Leaders

Roelof Boonstra, President

Over the last 25 years, Mr. Boonstra has been involved with numerous projects and organizations concerning the conservation of wildlife. Since 1998 he started to focus his work on birds of prey.

In 2007 the Springbrook Nature Center in Itasca stopped its Raptor program due to lack of financial support. As a previous volunteer of the Itasca Nature Center, he took it upon himself to continue educational services to the public.

Until that time, he and his wife, Jennifer Boonstra D.M.V. operated the The Whispering Oaks Wildlife organization. The primary focus of this organization was conservation and rehabilitation of wildlife. During this time it became apparent that there was a dire need for educating the public on the value of our ecosystem.

Mr. Boonstra setup The Northern Illinois Raptor Center (TNIRC) to provide all services required for the welfare these magnificant birds. As president, Mr. Boonstra recognized the importance of combining the different fields such as, education, conservation, rehabilitation, veterenarian services and the heritage of Falconry in one single organization.

Mike Detloff, Vice President

As an Aircraft mechanic, Mike Detloff has always been intrigued by speed and flight. During a 2004 visit to a castle in Ireland, he witnessed falconry for the first time. After returning from there trip, Mike enrolled in a raptor care and rehabilitation internship at The Springbrook Nature Center. Caring for and traing raptors is now a very fulfilling part of Mike's life. Due to his dedication, Mike is the Vice-president of The Northern Illinois Raptor Center.

Craig Hendee, Director Falconry

Craig Hendee is a tremendous asset to our organization. He is well known in the Falconry world on both a national and international level. Here are some of his accomplishments;

Master Falconer
President, Great Lakes Falconers Association
Vice President, The American Falconry Conservancy
United States delegate to the International Association of Falconry and Conservation of Birds of Prey for The American Falconry Conservancy
Involved in formulating legislation for raptors, falconry, and wildlife at the state, Federal, and International level
Eagle Representative for The American Falconry Conservancy
Extensive experience and background in the rehabilitation of native and foreign birds and wildlife
Raptor and Wildlife researcher in native and foreign environments and habitats
Long-term experience in raptor education, films, and public presentations
Specialist in the management and captive propagation of birds and animals
Experienced in the development of educational curriculum for the study of raptors, wildlife, and a variety of other scientific areas
Professional Educator, Photographer, and Filmmaker

His knowledge and expertise in Falconry has elevated our standards and it is a true joy having him as part of our management team.

Jennifer Boonstra, Director of Veterinary Services

She is a licensed veterinarian specializing in wildlife, zoo and exotic animal medicine, with experience at the Brookfield Zoo, John G. Shedd Aquarium, and several avian and exotic animal hospitals. She is certified in Veterinary Acupuncture and Veterinary Spinal Manipulative Therapy. She is working toward certification in Veterinary Herbal Medicine and a Master’s degree in Public Health.

Jennifer has completed a number of courses, including: African Wildlife Capture Course for Veterinarians and an Internship in Conservation Medicine completed in Hoedspruit, South Africa; Avian Biology, including a bird banding project; Exotic Cat Management with field study at Turpentine Wildlife Refuge; Avian, Reptile and Small Mammal Diagnostic Endoscopy; Fish and Turtle Diagnostic Endoscopy; IWRC Basic Wildlife Rehabilitation 1AB; IWRC Fluid Therapy; IWRC Basic Wound Management.

She completed the Raptors-In-Residence internship at Spring Brook Nature Center; a preceptorship at Willowbrook Wildlife Center; and internships at Minnesota Raptor Center; Brookfield Zoo; Virginia Wildlife Center; Louisiana State University College of Veterinary Medicine Wildlife, Zoo and Exotic Animal Program; and University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine Avian, Wildlife and Zoological Medicine Program. Jennifer volunteered for several years and then held a position on the board of directors for Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation.

With more than ten years of experience in wildlife rehabilitation, she previously ran the Whispering Oaks Wildlife Rehabilitation Center which was restructured into the Northern Illinois Raptor Center.

Barbara Schmidt, Secretary

Barbara is one of our Founding members instrumental to forming this organization. She has been involved with the care and training of raptors for many years at Spring Brook Nature Center. She completed the IWRC Basic A/B course on rehabilitation of wildlife and is currently involved with the rehabilitation of birds of prey. As a volunteer she took care of baby animals in the nursery at Lincoln Park Zoo. Barbara spent more than 30 years in the field of education as both a teacher and administrator. As part of The Northern Illinois Raptor Center, her administrative and teaching qualities are heavily relied on.

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