Founding Birds + Executives

FOUNDING BIRD – PRESIDENT

Tricia came up with this crazy idea one day – and who knows what will happen or where it will fly off too. This project evolved from her independent study in Landscape Architecture at FIU. It became the education portion of her Masters project. The design part was the urban setting in Upper Key Largo and re-imagine Rowell’s Park. 

However, Tricia wanted to help the birds. With her background in BA Psychology  (emphasis on learning theory and dolphin training), she developed a program to teach the public about the importance of birds and native plants. Her idea is to give people the proper toolbox to learn more about horticulture to be successful with their bird gardens. Once the public learns about their birds, it’s a win / win for everyone. It is good for stress relief (bird watching and gardening). It’s good for the birds well being too. 

Her regular day time job is a landscape design.  Hammock Landscape Design. 

PAT KEFFER, VICE PRESIDENT   aka Mama Bird

Pat Keffer has been a supporter from the beginning. She encouraged her son and daughter to go outside and play. The kids were free to wander the woods and the surrounding areas. Thereby developing a love of nature and respect for wildlife. It also gave her peace in the kitchen at dinner time. 

Pat is a retired RN with a AA degree from OWCC. She loves to travel, garden, and enjoyment of trying new recipes and herbal and spice experiments. 

This is a photo of her at the Monet’s Gardens outside of Paris, France. One of her favorite places to sit and contemplate.

KIRA MORACA, VICE PRESIDENT   aka Scientist Bird

Kira Moraca is a Northwest Florida native with a lifelong love for animals, nature, and community. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of West Florida in December 2017 and spent several years in veterinary medicine before transitioning into the creative world. She now works at The Zoo Gallery, a locally owned art and retail business, where she enjoys connecting with others through art and storytelling. Raised in a Destin fishing family, Kira grew up surrounded by water, wildlife, and adventure — shaping her deep respect for the natural world. A former Miss Destin ’14, she remains rooted in the community she loves. She recently purchased her first home in Freeport, Florida, where she lives with her husband, Jake, and their beloved dog, Gilly. She is especially excited to begin converting her lawn into a native-plant haven — her very own “food truck” for birds. Kira is honored to serve on the executive board of Food Trucks for Birds and looks forward to helping foster education, conservation, and a shared love of birds.

KariAnne and Olivia,   Flight & Trip Advisor Birds 

Tricia and Kari Anne have been bestie friends since high school. They even played piccolo at Carnegie Hall with the Eagle Pride symphonic band April 1989. Over the years, they have stayed in touch and both love to travel and enjoy the Florida Keys and everything it has to offer. Kari ‘s first career was in Environmental Science and worked at the DEP in Pensacola. She now enjoys teaching reading to grade school children at the local Catholic school. Her daughter Olivia picked up the travel bug and is currently in college and global trotting.