As a lifelong naturalist and avid outdoorsman, Marianne Murphy Hudson is a Wildlife Biologist with a passion for all things untamed. Marianne is the Naturalist for Russell Lands On Lake Martin’s 25,000 acre forest and trail system. Here she guides the public on educational walking tours of the forest and conducts wildlife presentations at Russell Crossroads. With year-round duties as a licensed Wildlife Rehabilitator, Marianne handles scores of injured, ill and orphaned wildlife. Her charges include bobcats, raccoons, opossums and other native mammals. Marianne also works at Auburn University as a Raptor Specialist for the Southeastern Raptor Center. Her work there consists of training and using a variety of non-releasable eagles, hawks, falcons and owls for educational presentations all over the Southeast.

In 1997, Marianne earned her degree in the interdisciplinary studies of wildlife biology and wildlife management from the University of Maryland in Baltimore County. She has 13 years of raptor training and presentation experience and is a state and federally licensed falconer. Marianne has served as President of the Falconers and Austringers of Alabama and contributed articles for the North American Falconer’s Association Journal. Before moving to Alabama, Marianne worked as an Environmental Science teacher in the Maryland Public School System, Executive Director of an environmental education foundation in North Carolina and a naturalist and interpreter for a County Parks & Recreation System. She has served as a resource for wildlife enthusiasts around the state and continues to learn more about our wild treasures each day. The varied habitats and wildlife of Alabama provide a perfect natural library where Marianne goes to learn daily. Marianne does not have a favorite animal, but if she did – it would be the Opossum.