Talking Talons Youth Leadership

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Nonprofit Info

  • EIN 85-0384305
  • 505-281-1133 x2#
  • MAIL: PO Box 8 Cedar Crest, NM 87008 Program Office: 12165 St. Hwy. N.14 ~ Thrift Store: 12159 St. Hwy N. 14 Cedar Crest NM 87008 USA
  • www.talkingtalons.org

 

 

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Nonprofit Overview

Causes: Leadership Development

Mission: The TTYL Mission: to elevate youth the the community to be effective advocates and ethical stewards of themselves, wildlife and the environment. TTYL was started as a program for students "at risk" in a single middle school in Tijeras, NM in 1988. It has since grown to involve over 20,000 students (grades 1-12) in the greater Albuquerque, NM area annually. Select students are exposed to an environmental science education program with an emphasis on wildlife and habitat stewardship. In addition, the curriculum covers basic public speaking techniques and other instruments that promote self-esteem. Through the TTYL program, the students give back to their schools and communities through public speaking engagements using federally licensed, non-releasable, educational wild birds of prey as part of their hands-on presentations. In addition, TTYL uses it's nationally recognized Biological Field Study Station to train educate youth and the community in the science and benefits of ecological monitoring. TTYL contributes to its community through outreach events featuring non-releasable wildlife, partnering with local, state and federal agencies to conduct wildlife improvement projects and forest restoration work to reduce the threat of wildfire. The TTYL Thrift Store in Cedar Crest, NM, not only provides the community with a convenient location to recycle their gently used goods and purchase otherwise unavailable items at a reasonable price, the store provides local jobs and support for the non-releasable wildlife used in our youth programs.

Community Stories

1 Story from Volunteers, Donors & Supporters

gnrgreatnonprofits Volunteer

Rating: 5

01/21/2014

Three years ago we moved into the mountains east of Albuquerque, New Mexico. The first year we were here my 4th and 2nd grade daughters were fortunate enough to experience the Talking Talons Youth Leadership (TTYL) curriculum at San Antonito Elementary School in Sandia Park, NM. My 4th grader got to experience hands-on wildlife and environmental education and then teach what she and her classmates had learned to the second grade class in their school! Both daughters learned a wealth of information from the very experienced TTYL educators.

The next year my then 7th grade son got to experience TTYL's environmental monitoring field trip, another big hit! Since then, my oldest daughter has also experienced the monitoring field trip and my youngest daughter became the 4th grader teaching her second grade schoolmates.

I cannot express my happiness enough that an organization such as TTYL exists. My children have been exposed not only to fantastic non-releasable wildlife education, but also to the details of environmental monitoring and now they feel empowered to actually address issues involved in the future of their environment.

Because of my enthusiasm, I was recruited for the TTYL Board of Directors. Since last April I have become more and more involved with the organization. I have attended ecological monitoring sessions with their educators, student field trips, and volunteer at least 8 hours/week for their grant writing team.

Each week that passes has me more and more impressed with the professionalism and dedication of this organization. Their fiscal house is in perfect order, their program director is absolutely outstanding, and the educators they hire are a perfect fit in delivering their mission. Because of this, I am actively searching for additional board members and community volunteers for the organization.

In short, the students and community served by this organization truly have a diamond in their midst.

Sincerley,

Genevieve Barrett
San Antonito, NM

Review from Guidestar

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