All posts by : Mykl Wallrath

January brought ice, snow and frigid cold but that did not slow down MWR as we had another great month. We welcomed two new members, Alan Parks and Dane Chamberlin, to our Board of Directors. Learn more about Alan and Dane.

Recent changes to the Federal Animal Welfare Act now require facilities keeping birds to obtain a USDA license by February 21, 2024. Consequently, MWR had our first USDA compliance inspection this month. We are happy to share that our inspector was very impressed and complimentary of our operations resulting in an immediate approval of our new USDA license.

Patient Update
This month we admitted 17 new birds into care representing 11 different species. In 2023 we cared for 549
patients of more than 70 species.

Sponsor Thank You
A big Thank You to the following people who answered the call to sponsor our rehab patients through
Sponsorship Sunday this month.

• Dana Young Alvarez
• Lauren Harry
• Amber Lovell
• Chris Williams
• Lana Taylor
• Starlit Byrd Tomlinson
• Jeff Leathers
• Lisa O’Connor

Your gift is life-giving for these animals. Keep an eye out for upcoming Sponsorship Sunday
opportunities.

Program Update
On a chilly sunrise Wildlife Director, Stephanie Hogan, and volunteer, Penny Gallenbeck supported the
US Army Corps of Engineers at Arkabulta Lake with their annual Eagle Watch program. 12 determined attendees shrugged off the cold to catch a glimpse of our resident eagles and got to meet MWR animal
ambassadors Mochni the Red-shouldered hawk and Rufous the Eastern Screech owl. We are so thankful
for the partnership we have with the USACE.

At our Bioactive Terrarium Workshop, we learned about the delicate balance between living and non-
living elements in a natural system. Then everyone created their very own mini-ecosystem terrarium
complete with springtails and isopods.

MWR had a great 2 days at the Aces Exotic Pet Expo where our volunteers and animal ambassadors
connected with hundreds of people sharing our mission and inspiring them to support wildlife
conservation, education, and rehabilitation. A special thank you to volunteer Natalie Rodgers for
organizing this event for MWR.

Looking Ahead
MWR has announced our Wildlife Summer Camp and Nature Art Summer camp and are offering 2 full
scholarships to each camp in memory of our founder Valery Smith. We have also introduced a 3-part
Backyard Wildlife Habitat workshop series. And it is not too late to register for our Keeping Isopods
workshop on February 17. Not sure what an Isopod is? You will after you attend this workshop. Learn
more about these great programs at our MWR Events page.

Mississippi Wildlife Rehabilitation Inc is excited to welcome Alan Parks and Dane Chamberlin as the newest members of our Board of Directors.

Alan Parks and his wife Alishia moved to Desoto County 10 years ago having been in Memphis since 1993. His son, Harrison, and daughter, Noa, graduated from Lewisburg High School.

He received a B.S. in Geoscience from the University of Tennessee at Martin and a Masters of Engineering (Mining) from the University of Missouri‐Rolla.

Alan is the VP of Resource Development and Mining with Memphis Stone & Gravel Company where he has worked for twenty-four years. In this role, Alan serves as an exploration geologist, mining engineer, and environmental manager. He has especially enjoyed the opportunity to lead field trips and mine tours, having taught thousands of students, educators, researchers, and “rockhounds” about the mining cycle, construction resource economy, and local geology.

Alan says he is “excited to help MWR utilize its impressive list of natural resource assets and promote its expertise in caring for injured wildlife”. He looks forward to helping MWR become a regional leader in providing better access to wildlife education and outdoor activities.

Dane Chamberlin is a Desoto County native. He grew up in Hernando and now lives in Coldwater with his wife Amy and two children Dylan (8) and Barrett (4).

Dane is a 2001 graduate of Hernando High School and obtained his associate degree in computer programming from Northwest Mississippi Community College. Dane has worked at Entergy for 17 years where he has held multiple positions. Currently he is the Region Manager, Customer Service.

He is an avid outdoorsman and says “I wanted to join MWR because I believe in the mission of MWR which is education, preservation, rehabilitation of native species in MS. As a board member, I hope to help grow the organization and advance the great work that we do with our education programs. I believe that we have a great future ahead with ample opportunities to promote the organization and our mission.”.

Please help us welcome Alan and Dane to the MWR family. We are blessed to have them as part of our leadership team.

With Christmas celebrations in full swing and 2023 coming to an end, Mississippi Wildlife Rehabilitation had an eventful December. We were chosen as a finalist for the Desoto Times Tribune 2023 Desoto’s Best awards for categories of best charity and best trails. And as we eagerly await the results, we are very honored to be considered. On the last day of the year, Wildlife Director Stephanie Hogan lead a team of amazing volunteers on an adventurous 20-hour rescue of an American Bald Eagle.  Read the full story HERE.

Patient Update:

This month we admitted 32 new patients into care, 31 birds and 1 turtle of 15 different species.

Sponsor Thank You:

A big Thank You to Doug Cooke and Dana Young Alvarez who answered the call to sponsor our rehab patients through Sponsorship Sunday this month. Your gift is life-giving for these animals.  Keep an eye out for upcoming Sponsorship Sunday opportunities

Program Update:

We visited Pleasant Hill Elementary.  Athena the Barn Owl and Rufous the Eastern Screech owl helped us teach 44 3^rd grade students about animal adaptations.  We also learned how all things are connected through the food web. The students enjoyed exploring this concept hands on by dissecting owl pellets.  We are looking forward tovisiting  more schools in 2024.  Please reach out if you would like us to come to your school.

Looking Ahead:

As we enter the new year, MWR is excited about the many upcoming programs, workshops, camps and projects we have planned.   Continue to follow us on Facebook or at our website to find out what we have going on.  And don’t miss our Bioactive Terrarium Workshop coming up on January 13

Wishing everyone a blessed 2024.

This is the first of what we plan to be a monthly update on what is going on at Mississippi Wildlife Rehabilitation, Inc.

November is a month designated for giving thanks. And MWR is thankful for so many things. For our followers and supporters. For the opportunity to care for the many patients we receive and especially for those memories when we release them back into the wild. So many great things happened in November, here are just a few highlights.

Patient Update:

This month we admitted 26 new patients into care, 23 birds and 3 turtles of 18 different species.

Sponsor Thank You:

A big Thank You to the following people who answered the call to sponsor our rehab patients through Sponsorship Sunday.

Your gift is life-giving for these animals. Keep an eye out for upcoming Sponsorship Sunday opportunities.

And a very special thank you to Trunkline Gas Company for their generous year-end donation.

You can make a year end gift HERE.

Programs update:

• On our Fall Forest Hike, we enjoyed the beautiful autumn foliage and explored how the life cycle of trees sustains the forest, while meeting some amazing forest friends along the way. Check our page often to learn about upcoming programs.
• North Point Christian School learned about nocturnal animal adaptations, got to meet Athena the barn owl and got hands on as they dissected owl pellets. Teachers, we would love to meet your students.
• The Moreau family had an up-close encounter with our education ambassadors through our Meet & Greet program. Reach out today to schedule this unique memory making experience for your family.

Thanksgiving month would not be complete without acknowledging the $3000 we raised for Giving Tuesday to help feed our patients in 2024. We cannot express how grateful we are to all those that participated.