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"Peace River Tracks"

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Who We Are

Tucked neatly into the mangroves overlooking Charlotte Harbor at Ponce de Leon Park, the Peace River Wildlife Center (PRWC) is a non-profit organization, started in 1978, dedicated to the rescue, care, protection and preservation of native small wildlife. Originally confined to the lanai of one of its founders, the center quickly gained credibility and a new location as citizens learned of its successes in wildlife rehabilitation. Since its beginnings the wildlife center has treated over one hundred thousand birds and small animals, offering a high level of skilled care by trained and permitted wildlife rehabilitation specialists with years of experience in treating native fauna disease and trauma. The Peace River Wildlife Center is a member of both the International and Florida Wildlife Rehabilitation Councils, the FWRA, NWRA and the IWRC. We are Licensed and Overseen by the US Department of Agriculture and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Comission.

Currently, the center admits about 2,000 clients anually, a number that has increased every year since the center's founding. If a bird or small animal cannot be returned to its native habitat after treatment and recovery but is otherwise healthy, it becomes a permanent resident of the center or another federally and state approved facility. Right now, the center has almost 200 permanent residents. All of the permanent residents are available for viewing by the public in attractive, spacious aviaries and habitats, suggestive of their native environments. Among the birds available for viewing are Eagles, Hawks, Owls, Ospreys, Sandhill Cranes, Pelicans, Herons, Gulls, Terns, Cormorants, Songbirds, Crows and Vultures. The costs involved to display them for public viewing is nearly $75,000 per year just to feed the almost 200 permanent residents.

All of the Peace River Wildlife Center's expenses are met through grants, donations, recycling efforts and gift shop sales. The center's mission is carried out primarily by volunteers. The center is open 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. everyday to receive injured, orphaned or ill wildlife. Visitors are welcome at the center and its gift shop from 11:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. daily.

Board of Directors

Executive Director: Skip Schmidt
President: Judy Liccini
Vice President:
Treasurer: Barbara Deeble
Corresponding Secretary: Maryann Sakamoto
Fundraising: Carole Thorn, Ron Heise

Members at Large:
Ron Heise

Hospital Staff

Rick Andrews rick@peaceriverwildlifecenter.com
Cara Brown
Kelly Grutto
Callie Stahl

Volunteer Veterinarian: Dr. Robin Jenkins D.V.M.

Medical Director

Dr. Cynthia Fiore

Habitat Enrichment and Maintenance

Nick Mitchell
Amy Rhodes

Management

Gift Shop: Rick Andrews giftshop@peaceriverwildlifecenter.com

Administration:
Cathy Negrycz
Sheryyl O'Crotty

Volunteer Tour Guide Coordinator

Jan Cummings

Volunteers

Tour Guides:
Hospital Assistants:
Maintanance:
Landscape:

Website Maintanance

Rick Andrews: webmaster@peaceriverwildlifecenter.com

History

In 1982, Dr Jerry Gingerich was President of the local chapter of the Audubon Society. Because of his work with the Audobon Society and his interest in wildlife, injured and orphaned wildlife ended up at his veterinary office.

With instructions from Dr. Gingerich, Larry and Virginia Montaque started a Wildlife Center on the lanai of their home in 1982. They installed a telephone and an answering machine with Audobon listing in their home and began caring for injured and orphaned birds, mammals and reptiles.

They recruited volunteers to help with the care of wildlife and in eighteen months documented over 800 calls. With the increased need for more space and habitats for animals that could not be released, the operation was moved to an acre of land on Marion Avenue next door to Dr. Gingerich's Veterinary office in 1984.

In 1985, it became an incorporated, not-for-profit organization named the Peace River Wildlife Center, Inc. In 1987 Dr. Gingerich relocated the facility to Ponce de Leon Park where it remains today.

Volunteers have always played a major role in the operation of the center.

Tucked neatly into the mangroves overlooking Charlotte Harbor at Ponce de Leon Park, the Peace River Wildlife Center (PRWC) is a non-profit organization, started in 1978, dedicated to the rescue, care, protection and preservation of native small wildlife. (more ...)

Anxious to put your values to the test? Fly like an eagle and volunteer today with the Peace River Wildlife Center in Punta Gorda, Florida. Currently the center has over 30 active volunteers contributing more than 2000 hours a year in the service of injured wild birds or wild animals. (more ...)

Members give the Peace River wildlife Center its heart. Rescuing, rehabilitating, and restoring wildlife to their proper place in nature is at the core of the PEACE RIVER'S mission. Some creatures cannot prosper in the wild, even after care, they become life-long residents at our center in Punta Gorda. (more ...)

The PRWC is currently home to 125 birds and small animals living in 15 different habitats. Food and care for these feathered and furry friends costs $5500 a month. You can help assure their future. (more ...)

Tours are provided at no cost to visitors. Patients are accepted gratis and we provide the educational programs as part of community service. We depend upon private donations for our existence. (more ...)

Awareness and Understanding - You and Your Community, Habitat Restoration and Data Gathering and Monitoring. (more ...)

Come See Us at Upcoming Events and Fundraisers, Check Here to See Where we will be Next. (more ...)

View Live Video Feeds of our Habitats and Enjoy Wildlife with Disabilities at their Best in the Comfort of your Home. (more ...)

The Gift Shop at the Peace River Wildlife Center is a Hidden Treasure. A Vital Part of the Centers' Fund-Raising Drive - Our Gift Shop Offers Many Fine Items. Be Sure to Visit Our Gift Shop before Leaving the Center. (more ...)

Please Visit our Business Sponsors and/or find out how your Business can Sponsor The PRWC. (more ...)