Every year, hundreds of injured, orphaned, or sick wild animals arrive at Dane County Humane Society’s Wildlife Center. Many of these patients—fox kits, songbirds, turtles, bats, and more—find themselves in need of help because of human activity. A window shade left open, mowing the lawn, or even the simple act of driving can cause encounters that lead to a need for emergency care for wildlife.
But what if we could make a difference *before* rehabilitation is ever needed?
That’s the vision behind DCHS’s Wildlife Center’s growing outreach and education programs. From hands-on camps that empower kids to become the next generation of naturalists to community events that teach safe and compassionate coexistence, the Wildlife Center hopes our education efforts can transform how our community understands and protects local wildlife.
This #GivingTuesday, your support can help us reach more people, prevent more harm, and give wildlife a safer future—long before they ever need our care.
Last summer, DCHS’s Wildlife Center launched its first-ever Camp WildSide, a weeklong outdoor adventure designed for youth who are curious about the wild world around them. Forty young campers joined in for a season of exploration, teamwork, and discovery.
Through games, service projects, and outdoor adventures, campers learned skills that reach beyond science as they practiced teamwork, empathy, and stewardship. Our goal: to help them grow into community members who understand how every action — from planting native flowers to keeping pets indoors and on leash — plays a role in protecting wildlife.
Education is a powerful form of prevention. For humans, education means learning who to call, what to do, and when not to intervene. This knowledge keeps everyone safer—protecting people from claws, teeth, and potential diseases when interacting with wildlife isn’t necessary. For wildlife, it can be lifesaving: fewer cases of animals being kept too long, fed incorrectly, or accidentally injured by well-meaning rescuers, and more animals remaining safe in their natural habitats.
This is why DCHS’s Wildlife Center is expanding its outreach to include WildSide Family Camp, open houses, mobile education programs, and community event booths.
Wildlife Rehabilitation Coordinator Sarah Karls says, “We see hundreds of cases where wild animals in need of help are unintentionally injured. The more we share accurate information, the better prepared the public will be to respond appropriately—contacting a rehabilitator right away is always the best first step!”
With your support this #GivingTuesday, DCHS’s Wildlife Center can continue to do more than heal harmed animals. Together, we can teach prevention, inspire stewardship, and help every creature thrive in the wild where it belongs.
