Center for wildlife
capital fundraising
With no state or federal funding available for this work, a field that receives just 1% of philanthropic giving, and an aging permitted wildlife rehabilitation population, the number of licensed wildlife rehabilitators in Maine and New Hampshire has decreased over the past few years. Yet, the degradation of habitats due to commercial and residential development pressures, along with the addition of novel and emergent disease due to a rapidly changing climate, the need for our work is greater than ever. Center for Wildlife is proud to have a unique conservation medicine and nature-based education facility, and we are one of the only facilities of our size and kind in Northern New England and beyond.
Capital Fundraising and Projects 2016-2026:
Center for Wildlife is currently carrying out the last phase of a 10-year transformational construction project and capital campaign. Thanks to donors supporting our capital funding, we have gone from a 1,200 sq foot ranch house and decades old outbuilding enclosures to our new facility and campus which includes:
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A state-of-the-art wildlife medical clinic complete with X-Ray, ICU, Exam Room and Baby Bird and Mammal Nurseries
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A Nature Center with hands-on exhibits along with auditorium, amphitheater, and classroom
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Intern Housing for young professionals in the fields of environmental science, wildlife ecology and policy, conservation, wildlife rehabilitation and veterinary medicine
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Ambassador Village that house our non-releasable owls, falcons, hawks, Virginia opossum and North American porcupine ambassadors for viewing in their habitats
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Visitor campus that includes Children’s Natural Play Area, trails, and exhibits
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40 outdoor recovery enclosures that will allow us to treat 3,500 animals at our location, representing 190 songbirds, shorebirds, mammals, turtles, snakes, amphibians, raptors, seabirds, and waterbirds
Capital Improvements 2026-2028:
Though we have formally closed out the fundraising for our Restoring our Nature project, work and capital needs beyond daily operating activities over the next 2 years and in accordance with our strategic plan will include:
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Overseeing the completion of construction for the raptor flight enclosures along with installation of perching, equipment and husbandry for all 40 separate wildlife recovery enclosures
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Overseeing the complete removal of the old enclosures, decommissioning the old utilities, and restoring our former property which was leased from the York Water District back to natural
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Installing security fencing and surveillance for patient and campus protection
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Increasing accessibility to nature connection and our programming via assessment and enhancements to our building, natural play spaces, trails and exhibits
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Optimizing both animal patient and visitor experiences by reducing sounds and optimizing lobby and nature center areas
Major Gifts and Challenge Match
The total anticipated need for capital projects over the next two years is $300,000. If you are interested in making a major gift or challenge match towards our capital needs, please contact Carolyn.
*Please note, all capital gifts will have a portion of funds directed at operating to follow our funds management guidelines and thresholds.