2018 Annual Report

2018 AHWF proposed operating budget      

                                      

EXPENSES:                                                              REVENUE:    

  2,300         Fund Raising & Marketing                   10,000   Memberships & Donations 

  2,300         Utilities                                                      500   Merchandise & fundraising programs     

15,000         Mission                                                   5,000   Events    

79,000         Nature Trail & Classroom Building      500   Aluminum & other recycle programs 

                   (large game enclosure included)             5,000  Grants

Total $19,600                                                            79,000 Phase III Funding   

                                                                                              Total $21,000

                            2018 AHWF  actual operating  budget      

                                      

EXPENSES:                                                              REVENUE:    

  4,701         Fund Raising & Marketing                        9,593 Memberships & Donations 

  2,343         Utilities                                                      3,959 Events (Merch.+OnlinePrgs)     

  9,874         Mission (inc. below                                        55 Aluminum & other recycle    

  1,900         Nature Trail & Classroom Building        18,000 Grants 

                                                                                       3,225 In-kind contributions (excl. labor)

                                                                                       

Total $16,918                                                                 Total $34,832

 

American Heritage Wildlife Foundation has the mission to conserve local wildlife through the efforts of rehabilitation of the injured or orphaned and community education. We do not receive federal, state or county funding. We exist only because of community support. We are a 501c3 nonprofit organization and a registered state nonprofit incorporation. AHWF holds federal rehabilitation permits from the US Fish and Wildlife Service for all migratory bird species and Idaho State Fish and Game rehabilitation permits for all species of birds and non-game mammals. We are the only north Idaho facility providing care mammals, birds, reptiles & amphibians.  

 

 

Wildlife

This year was one of the most upsetting. Thankfully, this community was so supportive of our financial need but the calling of wildlife rehabilitation is not one which spares the emotion, spirit, or mind of the caregiver.

“It was a spring without voices. On the mornings that had once throbbed with the dawn chorus of robins, catbirds, doves, jays, wrens, and scores of other bird voices there was now no sound; only silence over the fields and woods and marsh.”  - “A Fable for Tomorrow” from Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring 1962

Early spring our volunteers reported seeing the first returning migrant birds – American Robins, appearing healthy but within a few short days they were found dead. We received a few which were not able to be rehabilitated. They were greatly underweight. This trend of malnourishment was seen in multiple species and continued to be seen throughout the year. Sadly, this situation was reported by other professional national wildlife rehabilitators as well. We are heartsick at the only logical conclusion: habitat alteration or fragmentation, air + soil + water pollution (noxious gases, lead, herbicides, urban run-off (including roadway de-icing solutions), and excessive use of pesticides & insecticides all creates environmental dead zones. To complicate the distress some pesticides cause anorexia (loss of appetite & weakness) which results in starvation. The animals were confronted with a lack suitable habitat & food in the wintering grounds and then had barren deserts (lacking food and or shelter) to cross before arriving at the breeding grounds, of which might have been ‘gentrified into oblivion’, as one urban nature blogger stated.

 

 

At the end of the day the reality is that whatever we do to their habitat so too will we feel the effects. All things connect. When we touch one piece of the web it is felt throughout. Consider this: the water treatment plants cannot filter the toxins (such as household chemicals as well as herbicides that are sprayed along roadways, which also get into the rivers and lakes) then release the treated water out into the same source used for tap water. Studies of major waterways documented that 100% of all surface water samples, 96% of all fish, and 33% of aquifers contained one or more pesticides.  These toxins cause neurological, immunological and physiological issues; they can be fatal. FYI the bottled water industry is less regulated than tap water.

We can make a change – both locally and on a large scale by demanding our political representatives pass legislation against the agricultural industry (& others) continuing to create these bio-hazards. There are 180 chemicals registered in the US alone. This is 40 % of the world wide pesticide usage (5.86 billion pounds). We use 25% of the world total herbicide amount.  There are sound alternatives. Years ago, we, as concerned citizens, successfully mandated that there would no longer be lead in our paint nor in our fuels. Let us do the same with other aspects of our environment! Margret Mead said to never doubt the power of a small group of determined people. They are the ones that will change the world.           

Biomagnification is a big word that means that if a dose of ‘poison’ is ingested it does not degrade as it passes from one animal to the next in the food chain – it magnifies. The producer basically concentrates that dose from 1,000 to 5,000 times more. The primary consumer then becomes 10,000 to 50,000 times more. The secondary consumer 100,000 to 500,000 times. And finally the tertiary consumer 500,000 to 50,000,000 times more than the original amount.

We cared for 70 individual animals. The wildlife we received were migration exhausted or pollution impacted (to use the description from another rehabber). They were orphaned due to mother being killed or habitat being destroyed, hit by automobile, struck a window or attacked by cat or dog. Many patients were significantly underweight upon arrival. 34 patients died or were euthanized as to end their suffering. Thankfully this year we did not experience any obvious toxicosis cases relating to the bio-magnification effects poisonings from herbicides & rodenticides but we did hear other rehabilitation centers reporting high numbers. Studies report that an estimated 67 million birds die from poisoning each year; no numbers were reported on the mammal species which were certainly effected.

 

Currently we are overwintering 9 individuals (4 raccoons and 5 fox squirrels); they were born late in the season and simply too young to release at the end of summer. Release dates will be Spring 2019.   

We did have wonderful volunteers and interns to help us with the daily challenges and requirements animal care. We had to be strong enough in mind to be intuitive and strong enough in body to endure long days. We have a listing of volunteers who help with answering telephones, animal care and animal transportation but we can always add more phone numbers to our listing – just give us a call. The more the merrier!

The interns were chosen from a list from almost 30 applicants. The process required over 6 weeks and many volunteer hours. These students receive an overview of what to expect but the job is best described as learn as you go position. The learning curve is often difficult. One hard working intern was able to remain most of the summer, one quit after one week, and one we wish we could have hired sooner as well as kept her on as a staff member. We do wish her the best as she continues vet school.    

We responded to 320+ phone calls from our community. 65 of there were directly related to animals in distress. These animals were referred to nearby veterinary clinics, were never relinquished by the rescuer or not able to be captured. 

Early in the year we were given an old X-ray machine. It does need some work and we need to create a room. If you would like to lend a hand, we would be very appreciative. This is an amazing opportunity for us to add to the level of care we are able to provide for our injured native neighbors.

We started a building expansion project to add a secondary infirmary room. This will create a size approximately 20 foot by 8 foot and be used mainly as a mammal care room.

The 2015 recorded phone message from IDFG stating if we build the needed bear cub enclosure(s) they will approve it gave us confidence to spend the last three years researching enclosure materials, contacting contractors, writing grants, connecting with media and getting creative with our fundraising efforts. As many of you are aware, there are only a handful of facilities in the nation and two in Idaho. They are located in central and south Idaho. We want to be able to respond to injured game mammals in need from North Idaho as well as nearby states like Washington. The last few years we have received calls regarding cubs as well as cougar and bobcat kittens.  

 

 

 Education and public outreach

Where do I begin? This year we provided our community with 35 events & activities! No wonder the hours recorded for the first six months are about equal with the recorded hours for the last six – an amazing total of almost 4,000 hours. While some of our volunteers were occupied with animal care others were reaching out into the community in assorted ways. The public libraries as well as school and private groups were the locations for nearly 20 programs or presentations. If you would like to join with other volunteers and be part of the educational outreach programs, give us a call or send an email.

We again joined with Kaniksu Land Trust and Idaho Conservation League at the Little Panida Theater, where Dr. Wayne Melquist captivated us all regaling us with his Osprey tales of struggle and recovery. In 2019, we would again like to offer our community an event of interest but need your input as to a keynote speaker. Call AHWF or KLT.

We attempted to have two highway clean-up sessions however multiple attempts to coordinate volunteer scheduling and the weather along with inability to connect with Idaho Transportation Department proved unsuccessful. We have renewed our contract with ITD to keep our three mile section of scenic highway 200 clean and green; if you would like to take over as coordinator please contact us so you may be oriented with the task prior to the Spring of 2019.    

Places to meet us or show your AHWF support: Earth Day at Farmin Park, 7B Sunday at Schweitzer Mountain, IdahoGives, Meet the AHWF Founder at Squeeze Inn, BINGO in Clark Fork, Feed Me fundraiser at Monarch Market, the all-day Clark Fork Independence Day celebration with facepainting and carnival games, 4th Annual Clean Comedy Show and Silent Auction (we were at Sandpoint Chocolate Bear for one day selling advance seating tickets), Pints for a Cause fundraiser at Idaho Pour Authority, the No Shave November / Beards for Bears campaign, Scarecrow Contest at Hickey Farms (sadly no one entered this year), and the three day Christmas Fair in the Bonner Mall.       

All the hours dedicated to ‘face time’ did not allow for much ‘tech time’. Remember that 20th century movie “You’ve got mail” … it opens with that squelching noise of the internet finding its way into your computer. Our foundation volunteers listened to that tone for 16 years. In October 2017, our provider stopped service of dial-up. We lost the ability to stay connected and do not have internet service nor cell phone service at our facility. Idaho is after all 50th in the nation relating to internet speeds and connectivity. This means all online work such as email, social media, grant research & submission must take place at a pubic wi-fi location.   

One volunteer did however find the time to create an Instagram site. Check it out! This form of social media will add to our ways to reach out and spread our message of keeping North Idaho WILD. We anticipate the newly hired ‘outreach coordinator’ will be more consistent at online postings and program promotions. 

The website software we have now will certainly improve the looks and hopefully functionality of our website but we did not have the opportunity to upload the newly created site yet. The current site is still functional but suspect time is limited as it was created using a rapidly unsupported platform. One volunteer scheduled time to come out and take over the task but life must have gotten in the way of the good intentions. Please consider taking on this project if you are technologically minded. We hope to have it up in early 2019.

This year our 5 board of directors meet monthly (and I use the term loosely). There were times when the meeting was simply an emailed agenda with responses emailed back. Each member choses an activity or event to get involved in as well as supports the other directors and projects as able and needed. We do have few directors’ seats open, including treasurer and secretary. We only require you are an Idaho resident. We need fresh eyes to help us see further down the path and continue to guide AHWF into the future.  

Speaking of paths…have you heard?  We were so blessed to find a funder who believed in our vision! The Laura Moore Cunningham Foundation responded positively to our grant request. During the summer of 2018, volunteers started working on mapping out the 1,000 foot pathway which winds through open areas and treed sections of the AHWF parcel. These volunteers have been spreading bark and placing logs along the route. Thank You Lori, Al, Gabby, Dave, Janie & Clearview girls. Future volunteers will continuing to add bark, place logs, clear brush as well as tend to flowers and other plants in the Spring. We hope for an EarthDay grand opening but this will only take place if we have more help to clear the trail, place bark, & install signage. At this time, we are roughly halfway complete with the major aspects.

We are so thrilled with this exciting opportunity, our first step in creating the first nature center of the Inland Pacific Northwest. The Nature Walk will be a winding trail with differing route options depending upon ability. We will create informative signs that will provide images of wildlife species in North Idaho. These signs will also detail other relevant information such as identification of tracks, scat, vocalizations and cohabitation pointers. There are four distinct habitats that we want to explain. This trail will be unique for our community as it will give immediate answers from the nature guide who will lead small tour groups through the Nature Walk. The guide will encourage the patrons to consider what they can do to preserve the wild species and spaces in their neighborhoods.

 

This nature trail will be a guided experience that wanders the diverse terrain of our two acre parcel. It will provide a complete sensory experience to each patron. One guide will lead one group at a time on this trail and point out the diverse flora and its importance. The guide will also identify the fauna that inhabit the region and rely upon the native plants for survival. Detailed signs will also be placed along the trail. These signs will provide information on native plants, birds, mammals, as well as methods of soil conservation, water preservation and timber harvesting. We will encourage school groups to arrange field trips as well. We feel this project is important because the increased immersion into nature will create a stronger sense of commitment to the preservation of our North Idaho environment.  Fun facts that you will discover on the Nature Walk: Chickadees (according Audubon Society) require a landscape with 70% native plants to keep the population steady. They can drop their body temperature on winter nights to conserve energy. You will often hear the calls of separate species of Chickadee. We also have many types of other non-migrants and migrants.    

Did you know that scientific studies have shown that nature walks among the trees lowers cortisol levels of the brain? This means the brain is less fatigued. It also means in areas with nature the children are less likely to have attention deficit disorders. Of the 54% of Americans concerned about stress in their lives, two-thirds say they will likely seek help for it. Stress symptoms include: irritability, insomnia, appetite disturbances, headaches, nervousness, sadness, etc.  Large boosts of mood come after as little as 5 minutes outside exercising. Nature contributes to well-being – it reduces blood pressure, heart rate, stress hormone production and muscle tension. This nature walk is a three purpose project 1) educate us all on how to cohabitate with our native neighbors and keep North Idaho WILD 2) reduce stress levels of our human neighbors 3) offering a venue to provide greater volunteerism. We are eager to offer this experience but we need your help to complete it first. Call and schedule your time to join others as we clear brush, place bark, create signage, etc.    

Last month we started the USFWS application paperwork to obtain an educational salvage bird permit. This would allow us to use assorted bird species in our educational demonstrations. The birds would be taken to a professional taxidermy studio and prepared. We feel this is the best option for our group at this time. The use of live wild animals as display is quite stressful and requires special temperament. It is also costly to house and care for the animals. Using wild animals that are being rehabilitated is not permitted. These mounts will be taken to the library presentations, perhaps the educational group programs and of course on display for those enjoying the Nature Walk.

 

Financial

We could not continue without our amazing donors that contributed once online or directly every month! Some budget $20 while others are able to send $50. Thank you – every month that envelope in the mail is our lifeline. We also had folks make large donations. Additionally in-kind contributions were many and varied. We estimate well over $3,000 in items & donated fuel was given. Our supporters also saved their aluminum cans for the ‘coins for cans for critters’ fundraising campaign. Over 150 pounds have been collected and recycled. We still have at least that much to bring in again. We also have a program established to recycle your technology devices and ink cartridges.

Additional financial support was gained through the shopping programs (amazon, benefit mobile, chewy, ebay, goodworld goodshop, iGive, purium, yokes) as well as online campaigns (idahogives, breadboost challenge, love animals, givingtuesday, several supporters creating facebook birthday fundraisers) and AHWF merchandise (café press, teespring, apparal now ssa store, & lulu).  

Steve & Rosemary, Darcy & Randy, Diane, Shaun, Peter & Pat, Judy, Derek & Jerilyn, Sue, Christina, Tim & Jacqueline, Iris, Jutta, Melinda, Gabriella, Connie, Bryan, Teresa, Margaret, Phoebe, Gracie, fishin’ Chris & friends, Mary, Jan, Shari, Cory, Teresa Fisher Artworks, Susan, Bill, Penny, Julia, Laurie, Beth, Mark & Barb, Kathe, Marlene, Ben, George, Felicia, Cheyenna, WW, Alfred & Catherine, Jack & Diane, Cheri, Melinda, Michel, Anja, Margaurite & Thomas, Ashley, Ronda & Sharon, Amanda, Beata, Margaret, Lynda & Lacy, Gracie, Brooke, Fairchilds, Dave, 7 Peaks Counseling and Allison – Thank You.

A few volunteers spent many hours researching and preparing then submitting several grant applications. We are grateful to Wildlife Conservation Trust for their $5,000 support for our animal care, for Equinox – Innovia for their $3,000 towards general operating expenses and of course Laura Moore Cunningham for $10,000 to create the Nature Path. We will additionally be looking to provide a classroom setting with these funds.   

We provided many fundraising opportunities: Osprey event at the little Panida with Dr. Wayne Melquist, ‘Feed Me’ bbq sandwich fundraiser, Chocolate covered Pretzels, Bingo Night, Pints for a Cause, 7B Sunday, Independence Day celebration, the 4th annual comedy show and silent auction, and the Christmas craft fair where we painted faces and wrapped gifts. Thank you KLT, ICL, Monarch Market – Ronda & Sharon, Dr.Pepper & Coca-Cola, Idaho Pour Authority, Our Neck of the Woods, Silverwood, The Last Resort, PAWS Pet Salon, SEB photography, Webber & Widgren woodworks, Lakeside Coffee, Bonner County Museum, Teresa Fisher Artworks. Please support & patronize these fine businesses who generously gave items to help local wildlife.   

 

 

Currently we are raffling off a pair of 2019 silverwood tickets $10 each or 5 for $40. The drawing will be 30 March 2019. We have eight tropical vacations and ticket are only $25 per ticket for these weeklong resort stays. Drawings will be in the autumn of 2019 & 2020. Reservations need not be booked until December 2020.

Support is gaining for the black bear enclosure project. Almost $6,000 has been contributed from supporters the past few years. We provided you the opportunity to show your support with the #BeardsforBears #NoShaveNovember campaign, love animals online campaign or purchasing the BEAR MAMA teeshirt or sweatshirt created by Gracies Art Corner on the TeeSpring site. Unfortunately on November 27th I was informed that the Idaho State Fish and Game Commission has decided it will be mirroring a wild animal rehabilitation policy similar to Montana State’s = NO REHAB OF GAME SPECIES. This means that the Idaho State commissioners no longer want to allow rehabilitative care of orphaned white tailed deer fawns, elk fawns, moose calves, cougars, wolves or bears

We are deeply saddened by this posture from the state agency for game management. We hope they do not expand that policy and forbid rehabilitation of all other native wild animals. While our federal permit is valid through early 2020, the Idaho state rehab permit will need to be renewed in August 2019. You may recall, in a 2015 Sandpoint magazine article about wildlife rehabilitation, IDFG regional manager Craig Walker said while he ‘recognizes the social side of wildlife rehabilitation, it is of little value biologically. Few of the species that end up in area rehab facilities are endangered or threatened.’ He feels that wild animals should be left alone. Rarely are there occasions when something should be done.                                      

Perhaps Mr. Walker was not aware that nationwide over 47,000 animals are assisted by 43 facilities from 28 states alone. In New York City, an estimated 90,000 birds die from window strikes. One facility accepted over 6,500 birds this year alone. Wildlife rehabilitation facilities are world wide – more than 5,000 professionals dedicate their lives to helping the wild animals that have become victims of the effects of humans sharing this one planet. Many do this without financial compensation … so it cost the state nothing to allow care. 

 

 

Our goal of game mammal rehabilitation was to expand our ability to help those wild animals in need. The sole purpose of Idaho Black Bear Rehab in Boise has been to care for ALL bears in need (not only Idaho’s orphans but other states like Wyoming, Washington, etc.) but they must be Idaho permitted. The purpose of Mystic Farms in Sagle has been to care for White Tailed Deer fawns. This year alone they had over a dozen orphans, without a licensed facility these young animals will suffer needlessly. If this is the view felt towards game species, perhaps there may be a time when Idaho Fish and Game does not want to allow any type of rehabilitation.  

Our bylaws at AHWF do not allow us, as a nonprofit, to get involved directly with politics. I do feel, however, that when a policy is not just, we as individual citizens have an obligation to inform our representatives. It is then their duty to represent their constituency. This is why I am now asking, if you feel that wildlife rehabilitation is important; if you feel that there should be game mammal rehabilitation in Idaho State; if you want to stand up and be the voice for our native wild neighbors, please contact the commissioners and representatives responsible and let them know your views. Virgil Moore is the current director of IDFG but will be retiring in 2019. Brad Corkill is the IDFG commissioner for the panhandle region. The 2019 representatives will be Brad Little-Governor, Russ Fulcher-District 1 state rep., Heather Scott-state rep. position A, Sage Dixon - state rep. position B, Jim Woodward-state senator.

 

 

 

Submitted by Kathleen St.Clair-McGee. Lead wildlife specialist volunteer, board president & cofounder. December 21, 2018

 

*many of the statistics provided in the ‘wildlife’ section of this report were taken from articles, journals and lectures prepared by notable scientists and wildlife protection agencies. I will be happy to provide the names and titles if you wish.