Appalachian Wildlife Refuge

Appalachian Wildlife Refuge is a nonprofit that coordinates the needs of wildlife rehabilitation in Western North Carolina providing care for injured and orphaned wildlife, support for the wildlife rehabilitation network and conservation education to the community. In October of 2014, Appalachian Wildlife Refuge was established by a team of volunteers with the depth of knowledge, experience, and expertise to bring the wish of a Wildlife Urgent Care facility to life.

With thoughtful planning, generous support and the extensive commitment of volunteers, the Appalachian Wild facility opened on July 6, 2018. Appalachian Wild is very busy providing transport and rehabilitation to wildlife in crisis as well as engaging and educating the public about native wildlife. Our ultimate goal is to save the lives of injured and orphaned wild animals and alleviate their suffering, ideally allowing them to return to the wild.

‘Time to Blossom’ Priorities and Plans
Volunteers - build internship program, expanding operational, volunteer, and development positions; recruit and train additional transport, triage, hotline, and administration volunteers.

Leadership - build Board and Advisory Council. Specifically seeking members that have experience in finance, real estate, construction and marketing.

Fundraising - expand donor base, increase levels and frequency of giving including Wild Sustainer monthly program for recurring gifts, pursue grant funding and new initiatives:
○ Wild Giving Circle - donors that commit to $X amount each year for X number of years.
○ Back to the Wild Program - sponsor animals to support the triage operations
Events - community give-back activities throughout the year, raffles and VIP Gathering.
Grants- Continue to research new grant opportunities, and strengthen existing relationships with foundations.

Appalachian Wild is opening the only facility of its kind in Western North Carolina and was Co-Founded by Savannah Trantham and Kimberly Brewster. Co-founder and Director of Development & Administration Kimberly is a business efficiency, marketing & performance expert, with over 19 years of experience working in all aspects of business operations including over 17 years in nonprofit management. Co-founder and Director of Operations Savannah is a state permitted Wildlife Rehabilitator and former Assistant Animal Curator at the WNC Nature Center. She has a B.S. in Biology from Lee’s McRae College with a concentration in Wildlife Rehabilitation. She is an active member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, Wildlife Rehabilitators of North Carolina, National Wildlife Rehabilitators Association, Southern Appalachian Herpetological Society, and the 4-H Youth Development Organization.

They are assisted by a complement of 80 volunteers and interns serving in various capacities of the organization including wildlife triage, transport, hotline, administration, outreach, marketing, facilities management, and development. Appalachian Wild also works with home-based wildlife rehabilitators and partners in the community. We have a list of partners on our website that include specialized facilities and organizations that are involved in wildlife rehabilitation. Those include the May Wildlife Rehabilitation Center, Carolina Raptor Center, Carolina Waterfowl Rescue, Wild for Life, and the Wildlife Comission of North Carolina. We also have strong relationships established with many of the veterinary offices in the area as well as Animal Control. The strong partnership with the WNC Nature Center continues and many other environmental organizations are engaging with the organization to help with getting education out in the community.

The development and fundraising is now being overseen by Kerri Conrad, who has several years of experience working in the wildlife rescue field.

First Steps: Achieved December 31, 2014
On October 23, 2014, the organization was incorporated in the state of North Carolina with the support of a founding Board of Directors and Advisory Council. The newly formed organization exceeded the initial fundraising goal by 106% for start-up expenses.

Establishing Roots: Achieved October 2016
In January of 2015, the organization applied for and received tax exemption status. The website was created and social media started to build awareness and start educational outreach. The Development and Facility Committees were created to help move the organization towards the goal of opening a Wildlife Urgent Care facility to serve Western North Carolina. In January 2017, a small area of leased land and a donated modular building were offered to open the Wildlife Urgent Care facility. Leadership decided to accept the donation, secure the lease and invest in repairs and renovations of the building which can be moved in the future to a permanent site.

Open Doors / Wildlife Urgent Care Facility: Achieved July 2018
In 2017, a small team of dedicated, hard-working volunteers completed the rehabilitation of the new Wildlife Urgent Care facility. Funds were raised along with donations of in-kind materials and supplies to complete the work. The first staff person was hired to lead the organization to get the doors open. In March of 2017, a post went viral that started the Wands for Wildlife ®
program. Appalachian Wild received attention from around the globe. Donors sent in mascara wands to recycle along with items from the website Wishlist. The program provided support at a critical time as the organization worked to establish and outfit the new urgent care.

Appalachian Wild is now running a very busy wildlife urgent care facility with over 5,000 (number is rising daily) admitted since opening in July of 2018. New volunteers are being recruited and trained to expand capacity and hours of operation. The hotline is receiving thousands of inquiries about native wildlife from the community. Appalachian Wild’s plan to further the mission through expanding capacity and working towards establishing a full-service wildlife rehabilitation facility:

Phase I: Time to Blossom
Grow the volunteer team for triage, rehab and 24/7 wildlife hotline
Raise funds to hire Operations Director to expand capacity beyond triage
Expand Wands for Wildlife program
Acquire Wildlife Ambulance and Rescue vehicle

Phase II: Preparing the ground
Initiate Feasibility Study for capital campaign to build full-service wildlife rehabilitation facility
Secure donated land - 10+ acres in or on the border of Buncombe County
Begin Capital Campaign for building

Phase III: Appalachian Wild Rehab Center
Complete construction of full service facility and begin operations
Expand research work
Build team, curriculum and plans for education programming