USPS Publication Number 16300
THE
SUMMATIONWeeklyy
This Community Newspaper is a publication of the Escambia-Santa Rosa Bar Association
S E RV I N G T H E F I RS T J U D I C I A L C I RC U I T Vol. 23, No. 22
May 31, 2023
SummationWeekly.com
1 Section, 8 Pages
Section A, Page 1
ANIMAL SANCTUARIES Learning Through Hands-on Conservation the refuge so much that we will be completing a major revamp of our Education Center. We are hoping by the end of the year to have this fully functional so we can have different displays throughout the year,” Robin explained. ECWR offers volunteer opportunities in their medical center for those looking to get involved in the rehabilitation aspect of the refuge. All volunteers must be 18 years of age or older and undergo training. For more information about ECWR or volunteering, visit emeraldcoastwildliferefuge.org or @EmeraldCoastWildlifeRefuge on Facebook.
By Nicole WIllis
M
ay brings a time of the year that many parents find challenging… the end of the school year. Now, the kids are home 24/7 and you are looking for things to keep them both occupied and entertained. TVs, tablets and gaming consoles don’t have to be the default cure for boredom. If you’re looking for fun and engaging experiences to help get the kids off the couch this summer, consider taking them to visit one of the many nonprofit wildlife sanctuaries in the area. Whether you’ve got a future marine biologist or a wolf enthusiast, there is something for every animal-enamored kiddo. Many of these sanctuaries allow families to visit together, participate in activities or volunteer. Enjoy some family fun, while also supporting our local sanctuaries. We’ve brought you details on a few wildlife sanctuaries located throughout Northwest Florida where you and your family can meet and help animals in need. Wildlife Sanctuary of Northwest Florida 105 N S St., Pensacola The Wildlife Sanctuary of Northwest Florida (WSNF) has been a sanctuary to northwest Florida wildlife for more than 40 years. From flying animals like bald eagles and owls to other non-flying creatures such as racoons, possums and squirrels, WSNF continues to serve as home to a wide variety of animals in need. “The Wildlife Sanctuary of Northwest Florida is a wildlife hospital, nursery and
educational facility,” director of the Wildlife Sanctuary of Northwest Florida Dorothy Kaufmann said. WSNF works to rehabilitate injured animals and acts as a home to animals that cannot be released back into the wild. The sanctuary is currently in their busiest season of the year. During the spring and summer months, WSNF receives 30 to 40 animals a day. According to Kaufmann, “the sanctuary takes in over 3,000 animals each year with the mission to give wildlife a second chance and return them to the wild.” If you are spending some time outside this summer and happen to come across an injured animal, you can drop it off at WSNF between the hours of 8 am and 5 pm, 7 days a week. WSNF has plenty of educational opportunities for families to experience this summer. As a sanctuary, WSNF is home to more than 50 animals that cannot be released, including a variety of birds such as bald eagles, seabirds, owls, hawks and more. Guests of the sanctuary can observe these animals and learn about them through educational signage located throughout the facility. WSNF offers self-guided tours Wednesday through Saturday from 12 pm to 3:30 pm. Group tours are also available by appointment for groups of 15 people or more. These tours provide a great opportunity for an educational afternoon outing for the entire family. There is a suggested donation of $3 perperson for self-guided tours and there is a cost of $5 per-person for group tours. There is no age limit to tour the WSNF facility. Volunteer opportunities are also available for
individuals ages 18 and older. To learn more about visiting WSNF and available volunteer opportunities, visit pensacolawildlife.com or check out the Wildlife Sanctuary of Northwest Florida, Inc. Facebook page. Panhandle Equine Rescue 3099 E Chipper Rd., Cantonment Since 1994, Emerald Coast Wildlife Refuge (ECWR) has been rehabilitating Florida native wildlife such as raccoons, opossums, tortoises, turtles, pelicans and more. ECWR offers a variety of opportunities for children and families to visit and learn about these animals. ECWR offers spring and summer camps for children, as well as an educational facility for everyone. The ECWR education center is open to the public Wednesday through Saturday from 9 am to 3 pm and 11 am to 3 pm on Sunday. At the educational center, guests will encounter “ambassador animals,” which are animals that have been rehabilitated but are unable to be released back into the wild. Some of these animals include snakes, geckos, a fox, an owl and more. Through these animals, guests will learn about biology, wildlife rehabilitation and ecosystems. Most visits are self-guided, but ECWR staff is available to answer questions for visitors. Visiting the ECWR educational center costs $7 for adults, $6 for military and seniors and $5 for kids. Education is one of the most important things that ECWR does. According to ECWR Executive Director Pascal Robin, the refuge hopes to expand their education center in the near future. “We take pride in the educational portion of
Emerald Coast Wildlife Refuge 3051 Cloptons Circle, Navarre Panhandle Equine Rescue (PER) is home to a number of rescue equines. PER was formed in 2005 by a group of concerned citizens who noticed that cases of equine neglect were not being noticed or taken care of. Since then, PER has been working to bring awareness to equine neglect and care for equines that have been rescued from neglectful situations. Volunteers are crucial to helping PER continue to care for their horses. With the minimum volunteer age being only 8 years old, volunteering with PER could be an excellent way to get the whole family up and out of the house this summer. “We encourage families to come out and work together so that parents and children can be a team and the kids can learn to be responsible,” PER President Diane Lowery said. Volunteer hours begin at 8:30 am, seven days a week. Typical volunteer duties include cleaning stalls, paddocks, pastures, watering and grooming the horses, if desired. “On the first day of their arrival to volunteer, I take them [the volunteers] on a tour and explain to them all of the stories of our rescues, and show them before and after pictures,” Lowery explained. “After that, they are trained on how to do barn chores and then afterwards, they are allowed to groom the horses if they want to.” Throughout the volunteering experience, volunteers will learn about equines and their neglect, experience aspects of caring for equines and help PER continue to care for neglected equines. “Volunteering for our organization is the most important part of this rescue. Without our volunteers, we would not exist. Daily care for the horses is critical to our success. As president [of PER], I simply could not do this all on my own. It takes an army to make this work. Some people may think that shoveling manure is the least important job, but actually, it is the most important,” Lowery said. To learn more about visiting the facility or volunteering with PER, visit panhandleequinerescue.org or @PanhandleEquineRescue on Facebook.
Seacrest Wolf Preserve 3449 Bonnett Pond Rd., Chipley Seacrest Wolf Preserve (SWP) has been promoting the education and conservation of native wildlife since 1999. The preserve is now home to 22 wolves of several different species, as well as a variety of other native animals including foxes, skunks and more. At SWP, guests are able to encounter the animals first-hand to learn more about them. “We believe in ‘Preservation through education,’ and offer unique hands-on encounters and learning opportunities with several types of animals,” SWP Director and Licensee, Lindsey Banks said. SWP offers unique educational experiences with their wolves and wildlife. SWP typically offers Saturday group tours, however these tours are temporarily unavailable, but they hope to resume soon. Participants in the group tours will also have the opportunity to get up close and personal with SWP’s resident wolves, as they enter the wolf’s habitats. In addition to the time with the wolves, group tour guests will also get to interact with several small animals such as skunks, foxes and raccoons. The Saturday group tours are a great opportunity to interact with many of SWP’s wonderful animals. These tours last between two to three hours and are $35 per guest. All of SWP’s tours include opportunities for photos with the animals. Updates on the availability of the group tours will be posted on SWP’s Facebook. Guests can also visit the preserve by booking a VIP tour. Private VIP tours take place Monday through Friday and last approximately 2 hours long. These educational tours allow guests to enter into the enclosures with a tour guide and interact with the wolves. Guests will learn first-hand about the wolves, their habitats, and personal responsibilities of conservation. “Seacrest Wolf Preserve is a unique and incredible place that allows people to become part of the ‘pack’ to gain a clearer understanding and respect for the animals we share the land with. It is amazing for me to watch people from many walks of life grow a passion for the animals we introduce them to,” said Banks. Private VIP tours require at least two people and cost $250 each and each additional person after the first two costs $150. VIP tours can book up a month in advance, so plan accordingly. Volunteer opportunities at SWP are also available based on need. Visitors must be 10 years of age or older and volunteers are required to be at least 18 years of age or older. For more information on visiting or volunteering with SWP, visit seacrestwolfpreserve.org or @SeacrestWolfPreserve on Facebook ■
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