This month, we are featuring one of our Bird Removal Technicians.
Embracing new adventures behind the nets and the camera.
Like many Meridian Bird Removal employees, Bird Removal Technician Matt Hansen loves nature and outdoor activities.
Unlike most of his peers, Matt is a skilled wildlife photographer whose work has graced the cover of Field and Stream and appeared in other publications as well.
Matt’s long history with Meridian, makes him the perfect candidate to kick off our new series: Meridian People Profiles.
Matt, where did you get your sense of adventure?
I grew up in the small community of Midland, Michigan, but I moved around a lot. My family moved to Belgium while I was in high school. I’ve lived in Boston, Houston, D.C., and South Carolina. But I always thought of Michigan as home, which is why I moved back. My dad and granddad took me hunting, which is how I learned to love the outdoors.
How did you get into photography?
I went to Berklee School of Music and earned a degree in film scoring. I actually wrote music cues for some TV shows, but when that work ended, I started shooting pictures. I dated a photographer while I was in college and learned from her. I’ve always been around creative people, and wildlife photography was a way to merge my creative side with my love of the outdoors.
How did you join Meridian?
When I lived in South Carolina, I answered an ad for Bird Removal Technicians. Like almost everyone here, I didn’t believe that was a real job, and Meridian was just starting out capturing birds. This was nine years ago—I was in the first round of hires.
What changes have you seen since then?
We were testing out our new net ideas, and the first capture systems let about 40% of birds escape. Now our patented Bird-N-Free capture system uses custom-designed nets and escapes are rare.
What does embracing new adventures daily mean to you?
It means keeping a positive attitude! There are times I’m sitting out in the cold waiting for a deer to turn so I can get a perfect picture. Or I’m driving a long distance for a bird capture. But you have to realize these are special opportunities. Not everyone gets to make a living doing things they love doing.
Want to learn more? See our resource library for information on dealing with birds.
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