MWR Minute – June 2025
We’ve officially reached the halfway mark of the year—and what a wild ride it’s been! Despite the soaring temperatures, June brought a steady stream of patients, a packed calendar of public programming, and major progress on long-term goals.
Here’s a snapshot of what Mississippi Wildlife Rehabilitation (MWR) has accomplished so far in 2025:
✅ Presented 17 education programs and participated in 5 outreach events, connecting with over 3,500 people across Mississippi and beyond
✅ Hosted our annual Nature Explorers Summer Camp, giving kids immersive, hands-on experiences with native wildlife and sparking lifelong curiosity for the natural world
✅ Kicked off the 1st Annual Lucky Dog Pub Run Fundraiser—a fantastic turnout and generous support made it one of our most successful first-year events ever
✅ Admitted and provided care to over 600 wildlife patients so far this year, representing 100+ native species, from tiny hummingbirds to injured turtles
✅ Made steady headway on the Valery E. Smith Nature Center, bringing us closer to a permanent home for wildlife education, rehabilitation, and community connection
And the year is only halfway over. Onward!
🌿 Nature Center Update
Despite scorching weather, a full summer schedule, and unexpected power outages, construction and garden work at the Nature Center marched on.
- Work continues on the Raptor Garden, which will provide safe, enriching outdoor enclosures for our non-releasable raptor ambassadors.
- Our Secret Garden has been officially planted! We can’t wait to show you the blooms, pollinators, and surprises growing there.
- New additions: a rain garden, rain barrel, and an insect hotel—all part of our sustainable landscaping plan that models how to support native wildlife at home.
Stay tuned for more progress updates in the coming months!
🏥 Wildlife Hospital – By the Numbers
In May, MWR admitted 165 new patients in need of care, including:
🕊️ 43 bird species – including songbirds, raptors, waterbirds, and nestlings
🐢 4 reptile species – including box turtles, water turtles, and young snakes
📖 Learn more about some of our recent patients:
- 🦅 Mississippi Kite – rescued and recovering
- 🐟 Belted Kingfisher – stunning bird with a big personality
- 🪶 Green Heron Babies – tiny and hungry, but thriving
🐾 Reminder: If you find a wild bird or reptile in distress, don’t attempt to care for it yourself.
📞 Call our hotline: 662-612-6455 or check this rehabber map for help near you.
💙 Donor Thank You
We are deeply grateful to the many people who supported MWR in June—whether through monthly giving, one-time donations, or special campaigns like Wiggly Wednesday, which raised funds to help feed the hundreds of baby birds in our care.
Monthly Donors
Thank you to our monthly supporters who make our work possible day in and day out. Your commitment sustains the care we provide:
Beau Edgington • Kate Friedman • Nancy Orton • Rebecca Carter • Mykl Wallrath • Karen S. Brown • Yvonne McCommon • David Simonton • Christina Milbourne • Bill & Tracy Hill • Chrystie Teague • Carol A. Decker • John Gullett • Nicholas Richards • Larry Green • Irene McClain • Rebecca Terry • Josephine Falcone • Cheryl Hays • Cassandra R. Truan • Melinda Turley • Natalie Rodgers • Rebecca S. Pepper • Sharon Runkel • Natalie Bright • Suzan Stewart • Kellye Makamson • Leah Hasselle
Online Donors
We appreciate your generosity and support:
Brock McCarty • Judy Dorsey • Thomas Sikes • Fulvia Subauste • Patricia Kreider • Joseph Chaudry • Neely Alberson • Sarina Horn • Airica Jones • Sally Proctor • Ken & Katherine Trotter • Deborah Goessling • Katherine Mickelson
🎉 Special shout-out to Madison Reynolds, who hosted her own business-based fundraiser and raised $1,000 for wildlife care!
Wiggly Wednesday Insect Fund
Thanks to those who helped keep our baby birds fed with fresh bugs!
Jamie W. Welsh • Cassandra Truan • Deborah Yoakum • Mark Green
🦉 You’re helping us save wild lives—thank you.
👉 Want to support our work?
Donate here