2021
ANNUAL REPORT
In March of 2020 the world as we knew it
changed. Operating your local community supported nonprofit which has the
mission to conserve the local wildlife through rehabilitation and education has
become exponentially more challenging.
2020
was the year of the Rat. We had to be hard working, ambitions, strong willed,
and intelligent. 2021 was the year of the Ox. I researched the meanings in
January 2020 and almost heard ominous music playing in the background as I read
the description. ‘The year is one when we will fully feel the weight of our
responsibility’. The year when it is necessary to ‘double the efforts to
accomplish anything’! Now that the year has come to a close – I have to agree.
For
21 months we have been experiencing event cancellations, local business
restrictions, volun- teers inability to assist, lack of ability to provide
educational experiences, inability to rapidly respond to telephone calls for
assistance, record numbers of patients and telephone calls. The natural
habitats and inhabitants are experiencing wild fires, triple digit heat,
drought, urbanization and sprawl, pesticide and herbicide use … just to name a
few.
Total Number of cases
= 80 (in 78 in 2020 (& 2
interns) & in 2019 = 57 (& no interns),)
(excluding the telephone consults who were never
delivered or had refused due to being at capacity)
(estimate 30% more need AHWF but we had 60%
less people).
Third
year in a row we had to ‘close our doors’ and refuse patients for a time.
Total individual animal patients
= 119.
(30 different bird species and 8
different mammal species) 68% release
rate for total individuals.
Total telephone calls = OVER 600 calls from citizens with questions
and concerns!
we recorded 450 telephone calls by July 31st 2021
(360 total calls in 2020 with 2 interns and few
volunteers)
(440 calls in 2019 with no interns but 6 regular
volunteer)
(320 calls in
2018 with interns & volunteers)
Total
volunteer hours = estimated 4,150 (almost exclusively direct and
indirect animal care)
Thank
you for all those who continued to financially (contributions and in-kind) support
the mission to keep Idaho WILD!
Ronda
(not only do you support financially but also have incredible understanding and
kindness with allowing your employee to keep a very unusual work schedule), Keith,
Jerilyn & Derek, Jacque & Timothy, Ivana, Susie, Jackie, Robert &
Patricia, Lynda, Lacy, Del & Norma, Brenda,
Darcy, LaBelle, Christopher, Steven, Raymond, Katherine, Shayla, Julia, Lynn, Heather,
Vera, Jessica, Star, Edith, Jennifer, Caralea, Cory, Judy, Emma, Vina, Lori,
Sue, Margaret, Wendy, Mona & Cary, Joyce, Kasey, David, Paul & Janie,
Richard & Kristen, Roberta, Gordon, Tom & Linda, Karen, Ed & Janie,
Oscar, AnnaMarie, Sharon, Jacque, Patti, & CFMC
Great
appreciation for all those who created FB birthday fundraisers this year and to
all those who use the Yokes or Fred Meyers community rewards, Amazon smile or
wishlist, Ebay charity works, ishop, benefit mobile app, Chewy, EScrip, or
belong to any of the programs (Purium health, wine cellars, bird watchers
digest etc.) where your purchases contribute to help local wildlife. A very special thank you to Angela who
connected with organizers of the Sandpoint Farmers Market and once each month
set up the table and spoke to those citizens interested in our mission. I also
wish to thank those who baked the goodies for the one bake sale at the Farmers
Market. Heart felt thank you’ s are
extended to all those who have worked tirelessly to create the Nature Walk. Al
& Lori, Bryan, Gabriella, Shiloh, Carol & Ed, George, Kevin, Mona,
James, Dave, Jamie, Sam, Perky, Jake, Ed, Amanda
Special gratitude for those
citizens who made time in their schedules to donate a few hours and lend a
hand. I will openly admit I could not have gotten through without your support.
Angela
drove weekly from Careywood & coordinated the monthly table at the Farmers
Market.
Jessica
despite a job with long hours & active teenagers at home committed one
evening a week.
Teresa
works out of town at a stressful occupation but spent one day every other week
with AHWF. This was her therapy time she said.
Michelle
has a full schedule and many obligations and yet made a few hours a week for
wildlife. Jennifer wanted to learn about wild animal rehabilitation. She
arranged her schedule to ensure she spent at least two full days a month at
AHWF.
April
attended the wildlife workshop, spent time learning at AHWF and became our
first Nature Nurse for a few patients.
Krista
& Chris heard the call for help and were able to lend a hand a few times.
Lacy
and husband Jan dropped everything one Saturday to provide vital support.
LaDonna,
Tamarie, Lori, Alana, Darcy, Ryanne & Hannah, Emma, Lillie each made time
in their schedules to help their wild native neighbors for a few hours.
Kim
for spending six hours & Brenda (and husband Ken) for spending more than 12 hours as a taxi for
three juvenile hummingbirds needing to get to the Bird Center in Boise.
Diane
spent time writing letters to manufacturers and online researching.
Jeannene
who despite having two full time jobs still made time to transport patients in
need.
Ashleigh
& Ebba both willingly jumped in their cars and became a taxis’ for wild birds
in need.
Nick
for donating his time to accomplish a few construction projects.
my
friend Irish for her time with patient consultation and rescuing me when I was
literally left holding the bag .
Thank
you (intern #3) Hannah for your dedication and willingness to power through
solo.
January
Continuing
care for the Merlin (small raptor) injured in the Autumn of 2020.
Veterinary
clinic called January 1 with a little bird needing out help.
Rework
the Volunteer application
Board
meeting (online)
Purchase
Oxygen concentration machine
Create
Bylaws for the newly formed Association of Idaho Rehabbers for
wildlife (AIR for
wildlife)
Create
article for Daily Bee about combined efforts of PWRR, RFP & AHWF
Create
article for neighbors insert of the daily bee – Baby its cold outside
Begin
tidy up of the animal infirmary room
No
scheduled library presentations
Complete
IRS 990
Complete
seventh book titled IMAGINE (first edition)
researching
grants and ordering necessary supplies.
handful
of Calls & received over 200 emails
February
Continuing
Merlin care
Prepare
course syllabus and other materials necessary for teaching wildlife workshop
Continue
animal room preparations.
Create
blog articles
Attend
online bat meeting
Connecting
with speaker for possibility of Little Panida presentation, & Bowling
and Dilunas events
Researching
capital campaigns and land acquisition grants
Daily
Bee article - trio of rehabbers working
together for local wildlife
One
volunteer reaching out to Farmers Market coordinator asking for a place this
summer
Board
meeting (online)
Handful
of Calls & received over 200 emails
March
Daily
Merlin care
Sawwhet
Owl patient admit
3 Gray
Squirrel patients admitted (care every couple of hours 24 hours day)
Great
Horned Owl patient
Pine
Siskin patient
Ordering
supplies and replenishing inventory
Prepare
for fundraising event IdahoGives
No
interns applied. recreate job posting for internship
Respond
to calls and emails
Wildlife
Workshop – in Moscow and Clark Fork
Webinar
on Coyotes in NYC
Promote
and encourage volunteerism for the spring highway clean up
No
events – library, panida, bingo, bowling,
Board
meeting (online)
Dozens
of Calls & responding to four dozen emails
April
Merlin
released
Gray
Squirrels in care
Great
Horned Owl in care
Sawhet
Owl in care
House
Finch nestlings admitted (every 20 – 30 minutes care for 14 hours day)
Arrange
with Hays Chevron to have hats available for patrons
Replenishing
teeshirts and sweatshirts and other merchandise (books, miniflashlights,
lightbars, bumper stickers, keychains) at Monarch Market
Create
map of Idaho with rehab centers indicated
No
EarthDay event
Article
in the Daily Bee
Volunteers
here to complete the Nature Walk
in
preparation
for the City
Nature
Challenge
next month
Prepare
RV for intern candidate beginning at month end.
Board
meeting (online)
Several
dozen Calls & responding to two dozen emails
May
Work
on the Nature Walk in preparation for the City Nature Challenge
Caring
for many nestling songbirds (15 hrs day)
Gray
Squirrel admit and care
Pine
Siskin admit
Canada
Goose goslings admitted
Sawhet
Owl admit
Mallard
Ducklings admitted (very young – requiring close attention)
Snowshoe
Hare admitted
American
Robins admitted
Sparrows
admitted
Great
Horned Owl care
Rufus
Hummingbird admitted
Chipmunks
admitted (every few hours around the clock require attention)
Raccoons
admit and care (every
few hours 24 hours a day require milk supplements and stimulation)
Common
Snipe hatchlings admitted
Evening
Grosbeak patient
American
Crow admitted
Update
the amazon wish list
Idaho
Gives online fundraising event $1,915 from 17 donors (unable to
promote the bonus programs)
Bioblitz
city nature challenge event – Nature Walk exposure
Letter
introduction to therapeutic laser
manufacturer
Webinar
about ophthalmic care
Construction
company meeting regarding repairing and completing the small mammal enclosure
which was started but ruined by ‘handyman’ last year
Farmers
Market in Sandpoint the third Saturday through the summer (one volunteer
accomplishing)
Board
meeting (online)
Several
dozen Calls & responding to over 100 emails
June
New
intern was hired to assist current intern.
Pine
Squirrel admit.
Snowshoe
Hare admit
Hooded
Merganser hatchlings admitted
Spruce
Grouse admitted
Crow
care
Raccoon
care
Northen
Flickers admitted
Ravens
intake
Mallard
Ducklings care – release end month
Great
Horned Owl care – transfer to wsu end of month for procedure
Chipmunks
care
Striped
Skunks care (six orphans the first week and six more the second week)
Nestling
(junco) intake
Northern
flying squirrels
Quail
nestlings admitted
California
Bat adult admitted
Red
Crossbill admitted
House
Finch admitted released mid-month
Tree
swallow & Violet Green Swallows admitted (16 hours a day every 15 minutes
require feeding)
American
Robins care
Orange
crowned warbler nestlings admitted (require feeding every twenty minutes at
least 14 hours a day)
Canada
goose care
Plover
hatchling intake
One
volunteer assisting one day
Sadly
despite 40 individuals in care both interns quit the middle of the month.
Mourning
the death of Animals in Distress (co-founder) Toni Hicks
Farmers
Market in Sandpoint the third Saturday through the summer (one volunteer
accomplishing)
One
hundred seventy nine
telephone calls (in 2020 we had a record of 75 (in 2019
there were only 50))
July
Fifty
cases admitted to date (a few years ago this was our annual average)
Continuing
daily care of dozen Striped skunks – release at end of month
American
Robin care
Northern
Flying Squirels – release end of month
Several
nestling Tree Swallows admitted – released most throughout the next three
weeks.
Northern
flicker admit – released mid month
Chipmunk
care – middle month release
Orange
Crowned Warbler care – end of month
release
File
interim report for grant received on behalf of RFP
Wild
turkey intake and care until transfer
Long
ear owl patient admitted
Vaux
Swifts admitted (require
feedings every 15 to 20 minutes for 16 hours every day)
American
Crow patients admitted
No
volunteers able to assist with the Independence Day celebrations
Mid
July new intern started and will remain through mid august
File
state nonprofit report
Farmers
Market in Sandpoint the third Saturday through the summer (one volunteer
accomplishing)
Daily
Bee Neighbors Insert submission – one of the stories from the book Imagine.
Ten
(10) volunteers chose days of the month to help
Dozens
of Calls & over 300 emails
August
More
than 60 cases admitted to date (a
few years ago 50 was the average annual total)
Continuing
care for Tree Swallow, American Crow, American Robin
Intake
and care of three Ravens until release mid-month
Release
one Crow – middle of the month
Care
of Sparrow – release end of month
Daily
care of Gray Squirrels and Pine Squirrels
Intake
of Canada Goose with broken wing
Northern
Flicker and Pileated Woodpecker patients admitted – end of month released.
Care
of clutch of California Quail
Continuing
Daily care of Vaux Swift – released end of the month.
Consulting
care of (overwintering) Cedar Waxwing
Intake
(& later transfer to RMBC) three juvenile Hummingbirds
Intern
returned to university, third week of August
Drive
to Palouse Wildlife Rescue and Rehab in Moscow – patient consultations
Seven
(7) volunteers helping
Farmers
Market in Sandpoint the third Saturday through the summer (one volunteer
accomplishing)
KRFY
morning show interview with AHWF and BOPNW founders
Board
meeting (online) – first time since May
Dozens
of Calls & received nearly 300 emails
September
77
cases admitted to date (sadly several cases had been refused
due to lack of volunteer support)
Continue
daily care of American Crow, American Robin,
Care
for Gray Squirrels until release end of the month.
Care
for pine squirrels until release early in the month.
Clean
out the Intern RV and winterize.
Volunteers
here working on a construction projects – entryway for small aviary.
Unable
to obtain assistance regarding grant deadlines and applications.
Unable
to obtain volunteers for highway clean up nor nature walk.
Attempted
to promote and solicit help for the scarecrow contest and Halloween contest
Updated
webpage – listed 2 blankets & a touring bicycle imported from Spain
No
clean comedy show again nor trivia nights
Emailed
construction company (met in Spring) about
scheduling date for
enclosure creation
in 2022.
Autumn
newsletter created for supporters
Agreement
with University Idaho wildlife class to mentor students.
Virtual
conference of wildlife rehabilitators (heroes for wildlife)
One
volunteer at Sandpoint Farmers Market
(baked goods this month)
Blog
article – let nature take its course
Five
dozen calls & responding to 120 emails
October
Daily
care of American Crow and American Robin
Ordering
some supplies for current patients.
Purchase
used generator to ensure freezers and animal room needs are met if power
failure.
Create
powerpoint lecture & handout to show to university of idaho students wildlife
careers class
One
hour meeting with
committee for a local grant to discuss
our proposal for funding - not awarded.
Several prerecorded wild
animal rehabilitation webinars watched – 2nd annual heroes for
wildlife (virtual) conference
Mourning
the death of the founder of Idaho Black Bear Rehab Sally Maughan.
No
memorial apple pressing festival nor scarecrow contest nor costume entries.
Board
meeting (online)
Three
dozen calls & received nearly 200 emails
November
Continuing
daily care for the American Robin and American Crow.
Board
meeting (online)
No
volunteers to respond (new phone system allows for remote access) - message
machine offers clear instructions of how to locate veterinary clinics or other
rehab facilities to consult with.
The
founder has been working for twenty years, almost every waking hour has had
some type of thoughts about AHWF. The last couple years have been increasingly
demanding with this year being almost unbearable. After months of putting in 18
hour days, she made the decision to rest.
Did you know that university professors are given a sabbatical every
seven years? The reason is to ensure that teacher stays fresh, does not burn
out and recovers from their constant cycle of giving. Did you know that the
founder has only stopped three times for a total of ten days in twenty years!
This time of rest was necessary for emotional, mental, physical, spiritual
health. Three webinars were attended September, October and November) regarding
compassion fatigue, empathy exhaustion and burnout. This time of rest and
minimal focus on matters related to AHWF extended through late December.
December
Continuing
daily care for the American Robin and American Crow.
We
need board members – a few directors have stepped down this year.
No
volunteers to connect with the Christmas Fairs
Submit
internship position to university job boards
Missed
a few grant deadlines. no volunteers .
Posted
(auction) jewelry items on fb to solicit funds
Create
article for Neighbors insert – ‘twas the week after Christmas poem. posted on
Blog also
Complete
Idaho Fish & Game rehab and US Fish Wildlife migratory bird rehab annual
reports.
Submit
renewal request (and fee) for educational use permits to IDFG & USFWS
Reptile
and Amphibian Webinar from LaFeber
Uploaded
video to AHWF youtube channel
December
5th was international volunteer day – did you do anything
exceptional, we would love to hear about it. One volunteer created three short
videos for facebook – the goal to solicit help.
Supporter
made and donated an owl lap quilt for AHWF to raffle or auction
Board
meeting (online)
a
dozen phone messages & responding to over 150 emails
To all the patrons who have been so generous in
2021, I extend my most sincere apologies for not keeping you updated on the
wonderful wild animal patients you were helping, for not offering the usual 3
dozen events and public education opportunities, for not responding promptly to
your letters, emails and contributions.
In
order for AHWF to expand and build; provide care for more animals, to provide
the amazing learning opportunity – the nature walk and reach more community
members – we need more eyes and hands and boots.
Do
you ‘do social media’? there is a need to increase our presence on the various
platforms and announce regularly our patients, our happenings and general
information.
During
the ‘baby season’ it is simply not possible for me to keep up and would gladly
assemble and assist folks who have the interest and ability to take over.
AHWF
wants to do more for this community of native neighbors and needs you to sign
up for whichever task suits your schedules. be an ‘on call’ volunteer for tasks
and projects or someone who will dedicate a few hours a month or someone who
wants to learn about wild animal care, completes the training sessions during
the winter in order to sign up for specific days and times during the spring
baby season. over two dozen volunteer ‘job’ titles have been created.
Late
Winter and Early Spring is the time traditionally used to plan future events
and create a list of projects requiring attention as well as many of the other
‘behind the scenes’ requirements.
These
tasks include event planning, intern application review as well as educational
activities planning and article writing along with grant funding research.
completed 20 January
2022 (KSM)
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