Directing the Wildlife Center

Steve Hein, the Wildlife Center Director, is primarily responsible for generating revenue through outreaching programs and ultimately is accountable for all operations at the Wildlife Center at GSU.

Seattle in Statesboro

One of the two bald Eagles that can be found at the Wildlife Center is Seattle. The Wildlife Center is free for students and is open from 9-4:45 p.m. Monday-Friday and 1-5 p.m. on Saturday.

The Tradition of Freedom

Freedom, one of the three Eagles that call the Wildlife Center home, is one of Georgia Souhern's official mascots and can be found flying around Paulson Stadium on game days.

Q. What is your role at the Wildlife Center?

A. My title is Director… I would say that I am principally responsible for development in terms of generating revenue through outreaching programs and ultimately I’m accountable for everything else that might go on here at the Center.

Q. What did you do previous to your position as director?

A. I did get a degree in Finance from Georgia Southern but pursued art. I was, and still am today, a professional artist [with a concentration] mainly in birds of prey. It usually surprises people that a business degree is very relevant for working with art but it is and became very useful. Because I was a freelance wildlife artist I was able to pursue a lifelong interest in birds of prey.

Q. You were heavily involved in the establishment of the Wildlife Center?

A. Yes, I am very proud of what’s been accomplished. When it as requested that we get an eagle on campus, I was in the right place at the right time with the right background. The Wildlife Center has exceeded my vision… it is really the result of the help of a lot of people and the vision of many others on campus as well. All the while this has been accomplished with the hope of never losing sight of what brought us here in the first place, which is the real love of the outdoors.

A. I can’t refute that I love my job, I love the outdoors and I get to work everyday in that environment. But it is a lot about business, not just about wildlife. I’m able to raise awareness and do a lot of public speaking which I love. In reality, without a good team around me it doesn’t work. I work with people who do a phenomenal job; I am able to do what I do because of the good people behind me.