After a busy summer filled with education programs and wildlife rehabilitation, August gave us a chance to catch our breath as we prepare for an exciting fall!
We’re busy planning some of our favorite annual traditions, including our 3rd Annual Golf Tournament, 7th Annual Trunk or Treat, and 3rd Annual Critter Christmas.
MWR will also be out in the community at several upcoming events, including the North Mississippi Hummingbird Festival, Enchanted Forest at Lee Tartt Nature Preserve, and Dickens of a Christmas in Hernando Square. Be sure to check out the details below and come see us!
And while fall event season is quickly approaching, our mission continues every day. We remain committed to providing quality wildlife education programs for schools and community groups while giving Mississippi’s injured and orphaned native wildlife the rehabilitation care they need.
Valery E Smith Nature Center Update:
We’re excited to share another step forward at the Valery E. Smith Community Nature Center!
Thanks to a generous donation from Tim Hogan’s Carpet and Floors, new flooring has been installed in our Interpretive Center.
With the flooring complete, we can now begin the next phase—building our educational exhibits and live reptile displays. This space will soon give visitors an up-close opportunity to learn about Mississippi’s native wildlife and the importance of protecting the habitats they depend on.
🏥 Wildlife Hospital – By the Numbers
This month we admitted more than 59 new patients, representing 20 bird and 1 reptile species.
Check out this patient highlight:
If you come across a wild bird or reptile in distress, please do not attempt to care for it yourself. Improper handling or feeding can do more harm than good and may violate federal or state wildlife laws. Please reach out to a licensed wildlife rehabilitator.
📞 Call our wildlife hotline: 662-612-6455
🗺️ Need a rehabilitator near you? Use this rehabber MAP
💙 Donor Thank You
Thank You for Supporting MWR
We are deeply grateful to everyone who supported Mississippi Wildlife Rehabilitation (MWR) in August, whether through monthly giving, one-time donations, or purchasing items from our Amazon Wishlist. Your generosity makes it possible for us to provide critical care, rehabilitation, and education for Mississippi’s native wildlife every single day.
🌟 Monthly Donors
A heartfelt thank you to our dedicated monthly supporters whose ongoing commitment helps provide food, medical care, and rehabilitation for Mississippi’s native wildlife every day.
• Karen S. Brown • Natalie Bright • Rebecca Carter • Carol A. Decker • Beau Edgington • Heather Eisan • Josephine Falcone • Kate Friedman • Larry Green • John Gullett • Leah Hasselle • Bill & Tracy Hill • Theresa Hissong • Marie K. Richardson • Kellye Makamson • Christina Milbourne • Christina Monasco • Yvonne McCommon • Irene McClain • Aimee Nezhukumatathil • Nancy Orton • Heather Ray • Jason Reid • Nicholas Richards • Natalie Rodgers • Sharon Runkel • Diane Sales • David Simonton • Suzan Stewart • Rebecca Terry • Chrystie Teague • Cassandra R. Truan • Melinda Turley • Stephanie Allen • The Waldrip Family • Madison Warren • Uriel Zua’Iga
💻 Online Donors
We are also grateful to the following individuals who made online gifts this month. Your generosity directly supports the rescue, rehabilitation, education, and conservation work of MWR.
Carol A Decker • Robin Baxter • Susan Bauer Lee • Sharon Beal • Pam Billings • Courtney Carlson • Rachel Chard • Priya Devineni • Cynthia Everitt • Kellye Hall • Jo Hanahan • Jacqueline Jonassen • Gary Kalin • Kate LeCroy • Kiran Riar • Maria Scriven • Shelby Steinman • Deborah Victoriana • Cynthia K Wills
Every gift—no matter the size—plays an essential role in helping us protect, rehabilitate, and advocate for Mississippi’s native wildlife.
💙 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
August gave us a chance to exhale as we wrapped up a busy summer season and prepared for an even busier fall. But we still had a couple of great opportunities to get out into the community!
On August 30, we joined Wild Birds Unlimited of Southaven for their fun kids event, where we enjoyed sharing our wildlife ambassadors and connecting with families. See more from the event HERE
We also had the opportunity to present at the DeSoto County Master Gardeners monthly meeting, sharing information about native wildlife, conservation, and ways we can all help protect the habitats wildlife depend on.
These programs are an important part of MWR’s mission—helping us educate the public, build conservation partnerships, and inspire future generations to care for our native wildlife.
Want to bring MWR to your school, group, or event?
➡️ Learn about our education programs
📅 Upcoming Events – Join Us!
⛳ 2nd Annual MWR Charity Golf Tournament
📍 September 21 | 12 PM – Wedgewood Golf Club
Join us for a fun afternoon on the links and help raise critical funds for wildlife care. Become a Sponsor or register your team today! Learn more and register/ sponsor HERE
🎃MWR 7th Annual Trunk or Treat
📍 Saturday, October 17| 1 – 4 PM – Dub Patton Recreation Area at Arkabutla Lake
Our free, family-friendly Halloween celebration returns! Enjoy an afternoon of trick-or-treating, live birds of prey, reptiles and other creepy crawlies, food trucks, photo opportunities, a costume contest, and prizes for the Best Trunk and Best Costume. Admission is free, and donations are appreciated to support MWR’s wildlife rehabilitation and education programs. Come celebrate Halloween with wildlife and fun for the whole family! See more HERE
🦉Enchanted Forest presented by the Friends of Chakchiuma Swamp
📍 Saturday, October 24| 4- 8 PM – Lee Tartt Nature Center
Join MWR at this magical event! Experience the Enchanted Forest at Lee Tartt Nature Preserve as the cypress swamp comes alive with glowing lights, incredible art, music, and whimsical surprises created by local artists and community volunteers. It’s a one-of-a-kind experience for all ages that celebrates imagination, creativity, and the beauty of the natural world. Learn more
🎄 Dickens of a Christmas
📍 Saturday, November 14 | 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
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.