Our Team

Kim Bailey

Kim Bailey spent 25 years as a naturalist at Warner Park Nature Center, where she learned about the beauty and importance of birds, as well as their steep decline in numbers. Her dedication to a healthy planet informs her desire to make Nashville a safe and welcoming city for birds. She is particularly enchanted by the family-centered, intelligent American Crow and the inquisitive Prothonotary Warbler.

Jackie Byrom

Jackie W Byrom grew up riding horses on her father’s farm in North Alabama. This is where her love of nature began. Once she began spending more time outdoors and less time in the office her love of nature flourished. At Owls Hill Nature Sanctuary she learned about the bluebird and bird identification. Her desire for a healthy environment and safe passage for our feathered friends increases her support for Lights Out.

Laura Cook

Laura Cook is the BIRD Research Coordinator at Warner Park Nature Center where she oversees a 40-year bird banding station and numerous avian research projects. Nothing makes her happier than facilitating the connection between the wonder of nature, especially birds, and the importance of conservation. Her favorite bird is one not often seen here in Nashville, the Common Raven, a strikingly beautiful and intelligent bird.

Stacy Elliott

Stacy Elliott serves as the I.D.E.A. Chair on the board of Cumberland-Harpeth Audubon Society, promoting Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility in birding. She’s been practicing social work for over 30 years, addressing human trafficking in Tennessee for the past decade, and teaches leadership development in the Honors program at Belmont University. A pair of Summer Tanagers sparked her interest in birdwatching which has become a daily ritual of wonder, respect, and self-care.

Finn Goodwin-Bain

Finn Goodwin-Bain is an honors student at Belmont University who studies songwriting and creative writing. Finn was introduced to birding by his brother during the start of the pandemic, and ever since he has continued his passion for enjoying and protecting birds.

Theo Wellington

Theo Wellington is a long time member of the local astronomy group, the Barnard-Seyfert Astronomical Society, and a member and advocate for the International Dark Sky Association. (IDA). She does astronomy and space outreach as a volunteer in the Solar System Ambassador program. As an advocate for IDA, she works to encourage dark sky friendly lighting that is fully shielded, points down, and is only used when needed, so that everyone can enjoy the night sky

Melinda Welton

Melinda serves on the BOD of both the Tennessee Ornithological Society and the TennGreen Land Conservancy. Her bird conservation work has taken her from the mountains of Northeast Tennessee to Central America identifying and helping to protect lands essential for safe migration for birds that nest in Tennessee and winter in the tropics. The Cerulean Warbler has inspired much of her work and continues to draw her into the forest.