Written by: Carlyn Scott, Communications Manager
The Boyd Hill Birds of Prey Aviary, a sanctuary that has been a staple of avian conservation and education in St Petersburg, is now bearing the name of a man whose life was deeply intertwined with its mission: Gabe Vargo.
Vargo joined the College of Marine Science (CMS) as an assistant professor in 1979 (at the time, the Department of Marine Science). A biological oceanographer, he specialized in dinoflagellate biology, specializing in the red-tide organism Karenia brevis, and worked on a variety of projects such as ECHOHAB, which monitors harmful algae blooms.
After Vargo retired from the College in 2008, his main focus pivoted to falconry. As a young adult, he trained under a master falconer and later founded a raptor program at Boyd Hill, where he had been volunteering since the 1980s. His dedication to raptor conservation turned the Boyd Hill Raptor Aviary from a modest project into a significant resource for bird of prey conservation and education.
IMAGE ABOVE: Gabe Vargo with a rehabilitated raptor. Photo credit: J. Clayton.
Vargo’s impact on the aviary was profound; he transformed it into a center of learning and conservation that continues to thrive. The aviary became a haven for birds of prey, an educational resource for local schools, and a vibrant community hub for volunteers.
“Gabe spent close to forty years working with birds of prey at Boyd Hill. He led the volunteers and worked with staff to grow the program” said Jason Cowen, executive director of Friends of Boyd Hill. “His mentorship with volunteers in the birds of prey program was also very impactful. Many college students that came through the program went on to do so many great things in science and environmental education.”
In recognition of his contributions, the aviary was renamed in Vargo’s honor during a naming ceremony on October 27, 2024, a tribute to the indelible mark he left on the community and the field of raptor conservation.
IMAGE ABOVE: Vargo transformed the aviary into a center of learning, conservation, and community, serving as a haven for birds of prey. Photo credit: FOBH/Katie Bryden.
"Gabe was a much valued and wonderful colleague and friend for many years at the College of Marine Science, on cruises, and contributing to the education of our graduate students,” said Distinguished University Professor Pamela Hallock, who worked with Vargo at CMS. “He especially loved flowers and birds and was committed to raptor rescue and his many contributions at Boyd Hill."
Vargo passed away on October 11, 2023, but his legacy endures through the Dr. Gabe Vargo Birds of Prey Aviary, continuing to inspire and educate future generations.