Meet Moccasin Lake Nature Park Volunteer, Lani Walker

Published on September 05, 2025

Lani Walker grew up with a passion for birds of prey and began volunteering at Moccasin Lake Nature Park at age twelve. From the ages of fourteen to nineteen, Walker worked under a master falconer doing bird shows at Renaissance fairs. She now currently helps her mom, Barbera Walker, run Tampa Bay Raptor Rescue and the birds-of-prey program at Moccasin Lake Nature Park, an entirely volunteer-run program that rescues, offers sanctuary, and provides permanent care for a variety of raptors.

Walker now volunteers for more than 30 hours a week, dedicated to ensuring the birds that live at Moccasin Lake Nature Park have the best life possible. According to her, every bird they care for has experienced trauma or injuries so profound that they cannot live on their own in the wild. Her favorite part about the volunteer work is “…not only saving birds but giving birds lives where they thrive in human care.” Regular visitors to Moccasin Lake Nature Park know Lani’s spirit and passionate nature well and are always excited to see her feed the birds and transport them to their perches for sunbaths. She is deeply driven to provide the birds with training and enrichment to ensure they live fulfilling lives regardless of the injuries they have sustained.

Despite her busy schedule with Tampa Bay Raptor Rescue and the birds at Moccasin Lake Nature Park, Walker is also in school seeking a communication degree from St. Petersburg College. On top of this, she still finds ways outside of class to care for birds in need.

While on her way to class, she received a call about a baby bird that needed rescuing. Despite being busy, she made time to rescue the injured animal. The bird needed to be fed every 45 minutes, so she couldn’t leave it alone and decided to bring it with her to class. Walker made it through most of the lecture quietly until the bird let out a few chirps. The professor simply laughed and allowed Walker to keep the bird in her office for the rest of class.

Not only is Walker a bird person, but she is also a people person. On most days of the week, you can find her and other volunteers chatting with park visitors and educating the public on birds of prey and the rescue program. She is passionate about spreading awareness and educating people on important safety information and hopes to “normalize raptors” in society. Sir Galahad, her favorite screech owl, has helped others to not fear raptors making him, in Lani’s opinion, “a good first experience with birds” for young children. Children and families visiting Moccasin Lake Nature Park become delighted and less fearful of raptors after talking with her and seeing the birds.

Next time you’re visiting Moccasin Lake Nature Park, drop in to explore the birds on the property and to learn more about the Tampa Bay Raptor Rescue. Lastly, be sure to say hello to Walker and the rest of the incredible volunteers at the park, and remember to say thank you for rescuing, rehabilitating, and housing dozens of birds!