End of an Era at Aviary

WALLA WALLA - It’s difficult to think of Joanna Lan­ning without thinking of animals. The two just go together. Those who know her can affirm that truth. When Lanning is scheduled to lead the children’s message at church, the ques­tion is not what she will talk about, but what animal she’ll use to demonstrate her point. To say she is a favorite of the children is an understatement.

As an animal enthusiast, nurturer and natural teacher, her work at the Pioneer Park Aviary in Walla Walla is perfect a fit. Unfortunately – after nearly twenty years on the job – the aviary’s uncertain future is forcing her to move on.

Lanning moved from Beaverton, Ore. to Huntsville in 1982 where she lives with her husband, Mark, on the home­stead where he grew up. Their mini-farm has been home to a menagerie over the years, though they currently keep “only” sheep, chickens and a horse. Her pet Canadian Goose, Lucy Loo, now resides at the aviary where they greet one another daily.

Lanning has also been active in Waitsburg High School athletics, serving as cross-country and assistant track coach for several years.

Animals have always been part of Lanning’s life. Her mother was involved in a baby animal nursery when she was growing up, and Joanna worked in the Explorer Post at the Portland Zoo. In college, she earned a degree in technical journalism with an animal science minor. When a position at the Pioneer Park Aviary became available in 1994, Lanning was quick to apply. Though she had no specific experience with birds, her general experience and love of animals won her the spot.

“I love being with the birds. They’re just amazing!” she said. Passion for her feathered friends makes her the perfect tour guide. Lanning regularly shares her knowledge with children in Scouts, Home Link, summer programs (both lo­End cally and from Pendleton), schools and more. She often takes birds to nursing homes to visit with the residents.

A life-long learner, Lan­ning cites education as one of the major perks of her job. “I love the learning aspect of it,” she said. “There’s so much to learn about birds. There is never a dull mo­ment. Something new comes up all the time.”

Lanning puts her new­found knowledge to use in many ways and has often nursed a sick or injured bird back to health. She is very involved in the aviary’s incu­bation program and is proud of the several endangered species the refuge is able to support. Over the years, she has taken online gradu­ate classes in Ornithology through Cornell and Seattle Universities.

Lanning also played a major role in developing the retail aspect of the aviary – a program developed after she came on board. “We sell 100 offspring a year,” she said. “We’ve been able to specialize a bit and can sell the birds that create the most revenue.” Lanning says they ship all over the U.S. and a bird is heading to New York next week. “It’s been a learn­ing process to transport the birds safely and humanely. I’ve never lost one yet,” she said.

In a bittersweet good-bye, Joanna will be leaving the aviary on June 1, transferring to another position in the City of Walla Walla Parks & Recreation Department where she will care for the cemeteries. The heart-tug­ging decision was the result of uncertainties with funding and changes in administra­tion of the aviary.

Until recently, the City paid staff salaries while Friends of the Pioneer Park Aviary raised funds to cover operating costs. Neither the City nor the Friends had been able to fund major re­pairs necessary from damage sustained in a 2008 storm. In early February, Walla Walla’s City Council voted to close the facility. Two weeks later – in response to intense community opposi­tion to the decision -- the Council backtracked. They voted unanimously to give the Friends six months to work out a lease agreement and raise $185,000 in funds – to be added to $190,000 in designated FEMA funds – to repair the facility.

The Friends group, head­ed by Shane Laib, will rely on the current utility bill Round-Up program (which brings in approximately $10,000 annually), Adopt- A-Bird contributions, indi­vidual donations and corpo­rate sponsors. The Friends launched their “Help Re­build the Aviary” campaign on April 1.

Information on the Friends and how to donate can be found at friendsof­pioneerparkaviary.org or the Friends of Pioneer Park Avi­ary Facebook page. A March 27 update to the Facebook page celebrates a $40,000 commitment with a total of $47,000 raised to date. Sev­eral events are planned for Mother’s Day Weekend.

Lanning said that 19 years as a City employee was something that she just couldn’t give up and is pleased that she will be working for the same boss in the same department. She is encouraged with the fund­raising progress for the avi­ary and confident in the staff she has trained to replace her. “The aviary is in good hands,” she said. “I’m very encouraged. The way things stand now look promising.”