September 2025

WBU Knoxville’s Birds and Brews:
A Vision Takes Flight

BY REBECCA (RJ) WARREN

“This is important,” WBU Knoxville manager Tiffiny insists, pointing at the computer screen where I am taking notes, “Make sure you put this in there.” I know what she is going to say before she says it: Birds and Brews, like every event we do, is a team effort.

Certainly a manager who acknowledges and appreciates the contributions of her staff is the caliber of leadership we all want, but in this newsletter I will reveal a truth that Tiffiny is too generous to admit: Birds and Brews is her creation.

Before it was an actuality, Birds and Brews was an idea that Tiffiny had to bring together two communities: backyard bird watchers and craft beer enthusiasts. Firstly, she says, because birds and good beer are a couple of her favorite things. But also because she saw some overlap, figuring both groups are typically outdoorsy, and importantly, because the event could be an opportunity to introduce a new population to the joy of caring for backyard birds.

Meanwhile, Tiffiny was learning more about the crucial work local rehabilitators do to support (and save) native animals and that they do it all without any state or federal funds. And so her vision for Birds and Brews fully took shape: it would be a platform for rehabilitators to educate attendees about Tennessee wildlife and about their efforts as rehabilitators. All of the ticket sale proceeds, she decided, would go to fund the good work rehabbers were doing.

The fulfillment of this vision is what Tiffiny talks about when I ask her for her favorite moment from Birds and Brews. She describes year one, walking out onto the stage and seeing the group of attendees, far more than she had dared wish for, happy to contribute to the preservation of local wildlife, and eager to learn. “At that point, you’ve succeeded,” she says. “All the hard work we did behind the scenes was worth it.”

This year is the third annual Birds and Brews, and attendees can look forward to some new additions. Little River Wildlife Rehabilitation will bring native turtles and Zoe, the Turkey Vulture. Bats will be in attendance care of Bat Education and Rehabilitation of Grainger County. Tiffiny looks forward to learning along with everyone else about the turtles, bats, and Turkey Vulture: “Everything has a purpose, and the more you learn about an animal’s purpose, the more you can respect it and respect its place in the ecosystem.”

This year will also include a few local businesses/organizations, artists, and artisans who will be participating as vendors. Girls Scouting Bats, a book written by six 10-year-old Girl Scouts to dispel myths about bats, will be available for purchase and some of its authors may be joining the event, as well.

Ticket-holders can expect to see Owl Ridge Raptor Center’s owls again this year and Dr. Danielle Lincoln will return with Jessie, the Red-tailed Hawk. I ask Tiffiny, “What it is about a one-on-one encounter with animals that is so incredibly special?” She references Lisa Thomison from Owl Ridge Raptor Center, who prioritizes being a hands-on educator. Tiffiny says, “Something changes in a person when they actually get to hold the beauty, feel how light the Screech Owl is, feel the Barn Owl’s claws.” Birds and Brews is a wonderful chance to experience “that deeper connection.”