6th Annual MWR Trunk or Treat – What a Day!
Our 6th Annual MWR Trunk or Treat was a huge success! More than 1,000 guests joined us for an afternoon filled with candy, costumes, community spirit, and wildlife conservation.
We are incredibly grateful to everyone who made this event possible — from our imaginative trunk hosts to our food vendors, special guests, sponsors, and the dedicated volunteers who make all this magic happen.
Trunk Participants
Northwest Community College • Arkabutla Baptist Church • HillCo Construction • Wallrath Family • Pinks Window Services – North MS • Hogan Family • Mathnasium of Olive Branch • Desoto Arts Council • Wild Birds Unlimited • MS Native Plant Society • Burris Landscape & Lawn • Cain Curls Salon • Famished Familiars • Four Seasons Garden Center • Lindsay McGehee • Sam’s Club • Feilds for Ellie Flower & Farm Co. • R&R Rodents • Judy Holliman
Food Trucks
Funky Monkey • Chef Dee on Wheelz • MemPops • SnoJunt • Sip N Lemonade
Special Attractions
Wildlife Discovery Center • Central Turtle MS Rescue • U of M CEASER – Water on Wheels • 501st Star Wars Characters • Eudora Fire Dept. • Desoto County Ghostbusters • Quinley’s Bee Wrangling • Watts Studio
Event Sponsors
Nat Rodgers • Maroda & Hopkins Oral & Implant Surgery • Holly McDaniel • Karen Brown – MWR Board Member • Domino’s Pizza • Memphis Stone & Gravel • Petworx.org • Heartland Hands Food Bank • Church of the Holy Apostles • Heindl Center • Desoto County Snow & Creamery • Bricks & MiniFigs • Hernandough SugarMama • Rutherford Pottery • Malco Theatres • Tea & Tisanes • Regenix MD • The Blackwood Chateau at River’s Edge • Lennys Grill & Subs • Sam’s Club • Desoto County Co-op • Hernando Dental • Wall Hills 3G • Homestead Farms Greenhouse & Nursery • Lydia’s Graphics • Madison Reynolds • Tip of the Sip Yard Cards • Dollar General Hernando • Kroger Hernando • Walmart Hernando
A huge thank you to the many Mississippi Wildlife Rehabilitation volunteers who worked tirelessly to make the day a success — we truly couldn’t do it without you!
And a special thank you to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for your continued partnership and support. Your collaboration is essential to our mission of saving and protecting Mississippi’s native wildlife.
We’re already looking forward to next year! 
Check out photos and contest winners here:
1000th patient
On October 4th we admitted an Eastern Screech Owl that had been caught on someone’s back porch. While this little owl is one of eight screech owls we’ve cared for this year it represents something very special: our 1000th patient of 2025!
Thankfully this little owl was released back to the wild. See more here
This milestone sets a new record for Mississippi Wildlife Rehabilitation, Inc., with patient numbers continuing to grow each year—nearly 800 in 2024 and 600 in 2023.
This achievement has only been possible thanks to the dedicated and tireless efforts of our Wildlife Director, Stephanie Hogan , and our amazing volunteers. We are so grateful for their hard work and passion.
We are excited about making an even greater impact for wildlife as we finish out the year—thank you for supporting our mission and helping us give wildlife a second chance!
Nature Center Update
Exciting progress continues at the Valery E. Smith Nature Center!
Our new small stream and pond are taking shape in the raptor garden. Not only will this be a beautiful and peaceful feature — it will also provide a critical water source and habitat for native birds, amphibians, and other wildlife that call this land home.
Wildlife Hospital – By the Numbers
In September, MWR admitted 54 new patients in need of care, including:
30 bird species – including songbirds, raptors, waterbirds, and nestlings
2 reptile species – including box turtles, water turtles, and young snakes
Check out these stories from some of our patients this month:
Young Peregrine Falcon can’t fly
If you come across a wild bird or reptile in distress, don’t try to care for it yourself.
Call our wildlife hotline: 662-612-6455 or check out this MAP for a wildlife rehabber close to you:
Donor Thank You
We are deeply grateful to everyone who supported Mississippi Wildlife Rehabilitation (MWR) in October, whether through monthly giving or one-time donations. Your generosity helps us provide critical care, rehabilitation, and education for native wildlife every day.
Monthly Donors
A heartfelt thank you to our dedicated monthly supporters whose ongoing commitment sustains daily wildlife care:
Beau Edgington • Kate Friedman • Nancy Orton • Rebecca Carter • 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 are also grateful to the following individuals who gave online in October:
Madison Reynolds • Julie Perry • Jo Hanahan • J. Littlejohn • Melinda Barham • Heather Eisan • Julie Holcomb • Tainara Candido • Adrian Hall • Rose Brewer • Gloria L. McNett • Stephanie Allen
Each gift makes a difference, and together you make our mission possible—thank you!
Want to support MWR? Donate today
Prefer to donate supplies? Shop our Amazon Wishlist to send essential items directly to our center.
Education & Outreach: Connecting with Communities
MWR had a busy October providing education programs. Click on the links below to see more.
· Lanoux Youth Nature Day Camp MWR was excited to be a part of the Lanoux Youth Nature Day Camp on 10/11/25 in Byhalia, hosted by the Byhalia Garden Club! We enjoyed sharing about our native birds and ways campers can help promote the survival of our winged neighbors. https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1GdGUjfgoi/
· Pinnacle of Southaven Owl Day – We were grateful to be part of “Owl Day” at The Pinnace of Southaven. https://www.facebook.com/share/p/16dWEystMg/
· Fall Cub Quest – MWR was honored to be a part of the Scout Fall Cub Quest again this year! This is always a great event. https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1A5Y9uyJ2T/
· Funschooling Nature Co-op Owl program – MWR enjoyed sharing education ambassadors Hazelnut, the Eastern Screech Owl, and Marshmallow, the Barred Owl, with the enthusiastic homeschool students with Funschooling Nature Co-op.Learn more about this great homeschool program here: https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=175485358805440&set=a.114052534948723
· Cub Scout Pack 331 – MWR loves supporting our local Scouts! A huge thank you to Cub Scout Pack 331 in Collierville for inviting us as special guests to thier Halloween-themed meeting. We had a wonderful time engaging with the scouts and their parents about native wildlife and conservation! https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1Ak6uXW66A/
· Want to bring MWR to your school, group, or event?
Learn about our education programs
·
Upcoming Events
Dickens of a Christmas
Saturday, November 22 | Historic Hernando Square
We’ll be joining this charming holiday event in our finest period costumes! Come celebrate the season with us and support this cherished community tradition. Learn more
MWRs Critter Christmas Saturday, December 13 | The Ark Trails in Hernando
Save the date! This family friendly event is back. Join us for a merry and joyous event for nature lovers of all ages! Meet Santa and the Grinch as well as our animal ambassadors! Sip hot cocoa or cider while enjoying winter wildlife presentations, programming, and stories! See our wild room of reptiles and invertebrates and much more. Space is limited. Learn more and register.
Stay Connected
Visit mwr.ms
Follow us on Facebook for wildlife stories, tips, and event updates.
Thank you for being part of the MWR family. Together, we’re protecting Mississippi’s wild future. 
