Martin's Presentations
Birds of PreyMartin Tyner offers “Birds of Prey,” an exciting educational program. The audience enjoys beautiful slides of wild raptors, while Master Falconer and educator Martin Tyner teaches about these majestic birds. Identification, hunting, nesting behaviors and our shared environment are among the topics discussed in the presentation. A golden eagle named Scout is just one of the raptors accompanying Mr. Tyner in his live birds of prey program. |
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Field ExcursionsHave you ever wished you could get close to wildlife for great photo opportunities? Would you like to watch a falcon flying free, diving at its quarry at speeds up to 200 mph? Stand in the presence of a powerful golden eagle? Explore ancient petroglyph's and discover dinosaur tracks that are approximately 65 million years old? |
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Author Talks • Motivational SpeakerMartin has over 50 years experience speaking to a wide variety of people in myriad of locations. In addition to school and outdoor venues, Martin has also visited offices, special events, correctional facilities and even impromptu sessions on highway offramps. There is more to speaking with a wild bird on his arm than teaching about wildlife. With a bird or two to hold attention captive, Martin shares stories of his life. Through sharing of his struggles and triumphs growing up, Martin has affected countless individuals in meaningful ways. |
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Healer of Angels
Join Martin Tyner as he reflects back on his life: from a young boy terrified of birds to becoming the first man in North America licensed to train a wild golden eagle in the ancient art of falconry.
Healer of Angels is a heartwarming collection of true stories about overcoming life's challenges and disabilities with the guidance of wise grandparents and other mentors.
Read about his transformation from a shy dyslexic teenager, to the founder and CEO of the Southwest Wildlife Foundation. Some of the stories are humorous and some bittersweet, but each will inspire, teaching a lesson as it touches the reader's heart.
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“Healer of Angels, a book that speaks to you like a storyteller, a rare delight for people of all ages. Stories of animal rescue are told with humor, insight and compassion. Children will relate to the stories, find them fascinating, and see themselves in the tales of experiencing fear and insecurities and coping with them through courage, persistence and understanding.” —Joanne D. Browne, Ph.D., Teacher, Psychologist “As I read, I thought of how good of an example Martin would be to readers struggling in a world of harmful influences. If I had read more books like this as a child, I may have been more motivated to trust in myself, hold some better values, and follow a straighter path towards the fulfillment of my potential. Your book will definitely inspire many people. I hope that young adults especially, have the opportunity to read this book and by doing so are encouraged to believe in their dreams.” —Tim Needham, High School English Teacher |
Martin's book, Healer of Angels, can be purchased online through the Southwest Wildlife Foundation of Utah |
About
At age twelve, Martin Tyner started caring for the sick, injured and orphaned creatures in his home town of Simi Valley, CA. At age nineteen, Tyner was hired as curator of birds of prey at Busch Gardens, CA. He worked in the movie and television industry training big cats, elephants, primates, sea mammals and raptors.
Martin Tyner is a federally licensed falconer, eagle falconer, wildlife rehabilitator, wildlife propagator, and wildlife and environmental educator. He has been providing wildlife and environmental programs throughout the western United States, to schools, scouts and community groups for over forty years.
Martin Tyner provides Birds of Prey and Excursions through Road Scholar. He is included on three of their Utah Adventures: Hiking Bryce and Zion National Parks, National Parks With Your Grandchild: Zion, Bryce & Grand Canyon and Canyons, Cliffs & Rivers: The Geological Wonders of Zion. Since these adventures change on occasion, they recommend calling before scheduling in order to make sure the itinerary is still as listed on their site.
He has also taught summer classes at Southern Utah University called The Ancient Art of Falconry and Shakespeare, and performed in the Green Show with his raptors for the Utah Shakespeare Festival.
Martin Tyner is the founder of the Southwest Wildlife Foundation of Utah, which is a 501(c)(3) non-profit wildlife rescue, wildlife and environmental education organization. With the help of his golden eagle, Bud, they received a donation of 22.6 acres of beautiful, canyon property from Utah Power/Scottish Power for the development of a permanent wildlife rescue facility and a nature park for the children of Utah.
In 2005 Martin and Bud were honored by the Utah State Legislature for over a quarter-century of wildlife rescue and wildlife and environmental education in Utah. Martin Tyner is one of America’s foremost wildlife rehabilitators, a master falconer, eagle falconer, and wildlife and environmental educator.
In 1976, Martin met the love of his life, Susan, who is an animal lover in her own right. Susan Heaton Tyner began her career working with animals in 1977, as a bather-brusher at the Canine Castle, a local dog grooming shop, in Simi Valley and finished her training at the Pet Oasis, in Lancaster, CA, where she graduated to the position of professional dog groomer.
Susan and Martin moved to Cedar City, UT, in the winter of 1979 where they raised two children. In 1982, they opened Tyner’s Pets and Dog Grooming where Martin ran the pet shop and Susan groomed dogs.
Susan volunteered as a leader in 4-H, developing the Guide Dog for the Blind puppy program in Southern Utah. She has been grooming dogs professionally for over thirty years and is an award-winning, international, creative groomer.
Martin continues to travel throughout the west providing wildlife programs accompanied by his devoted companion, Scout, a wild golden eagle. Between events, Martin and his birds have plenty of experience on both sides of the camera. Since high school, Martin has polished his skills as a wildlife photographer. He makes his own prints and sells them at events and online to raise funds for his foundation. He is also long experienced handling his birds for movie and television crews.
In 2015 Martin was named Cedar City Man of the year.
2018 marked Martin's 50th year of caring of critters and educating the public. His efforts were acknowledged by the City Council of Cedar City and Senator Vickers honored Martin on the Utah State Senate floor.
Press
- April 21, 2018 ‘Eagle Man’ Martin Tyner honored for 50 years of service helping area wildlife
St. George News“My parents told me to stop playing with birds and do something with my life. Well, this is what I’ve done with my life,” Tyner said during Wednesday’s Cedar City Council meeting where he was recognized by Mayor Maile Wilson-Edwards and the council members for his five decades of service as a volunteer wildlife rehabilitator and volunteer wildlife and environmental educator. Read More
- July 22, 2017 Golden eagle carries prayers to the heavens after Brian Head Fire
St. George NewsBrian Head Firefighter Bob Goldhirsch released Eddie the golden eagle with 7,000 feathers back into the wild Friday – each of its feathers dedicated prayers for the men and women fighting the Brian Head fire. Read More
- August 20, 2016 Golden eagle released carrying 7,000 prayers for 1st responders
St. George NewsNannette Wride, widow of slain Utah County Sheriff’s Sgt. Cory Wride, released a golden eagle with more than 7,000 feathers back into the wild Friday – each feather transporting a prayer to the creator for the first responders dedicated to saving lives, she said before letting the bird go.Read More
- May 18th, 2015 Don't Rescue Baby Owl Wildlife Foundation Says
KSL NewsSouthwest Wildlife Foundation of Utah wildlife rehabilitator Martin Tyner has been caring for two great horned baby owls since April because two people found the owls and “rescued” them, according to the organization's website. The owls, one at only 1 day old, were later taken to the Southwest Wildlife Foundation “because they were unable to be returned to the nest,” Tyner said on the website. Read More
- March 27, 2015 Subaru presents Cedar City Wildlife Rescue with more than $8,000
St. George NewsSubaru of America Representative Christina John was on hand Friday morning at Findlay Subaru in St. George to present Martin Tyner, CEO and founder of the Southwest Wildlife Foundation of Utah, with a check totaling $8,848. Read More
- February 3, 2015 Predatory bird expert engages audience with falcons, eagles, vulture vomit
St. George NewsIntroducing a long list of birds of prey that live in western North America, from pygmy owls to bald eagles, Southern Utah bird expert Martin Tyner took a gymnasium full of animal lovers on a wildlife journey Monday night at North Elementary School in Cedar City. The falconer spent an hour and a half educating an eager audience of all ages on truths and myths about the animals and his life rehabilitating them. Read More
- Jan. 11, 2015 MASTER FALCONER: The man with the eagle
The SpectrumMartin Tyner bends down and gently scoops up the adult bald eagle as if it were a human toddler. Cradling the majestic bird of prey — the symbol of our nation — he uses a pair of tongs to feed chunks of beef heart to the sick eagle, talking to it the entire time as if it were a child. Read More
Promotional Materials
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Contact • Booking
Martin Tyner
P.O. Box 1907
Cedar City, UT 84721-1907
(435) 590-1618
No Follow Me
A phone call is the best way to contact Martin. His work keeps him frequently on the road, outside with the critters, and in the wild, so his computer time is very limited. You can, however, follow news of his foundation activities on the Southwest Wildlife Foundation sites: Gowildlife.org, Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Instagram.
This site was built and is maintained for Martin by the Southwest Wildlife Foundation of Utah Volunteer Critter Webgeek.
