Travel News

Voluntourism Spotlight: Rehabilitate Wildlife in California

Wild birds, mammals and reptiles are the focus of this week voluntourism spotlight, where the Eastern Sierra Wildlife Care helps wildlife in need in addition to providing community outreach to local schools. Learn more about their work in this weekend’s broadcast of Peter Greenberg Worldwide and check back every Wednesday for more voluntourism opportunities.

Eastern Sierra Wildlife Care (ESWC) is a wildlife rehabilitation center dedicated to helping native wildlife (wild birds, mammals, and reptiles) who are injured or ill with the goal of re-releasing them to the wild.

The organization is run by Cindy Kalmer, a wildlife rehabilitator who–after moving to the Eastern Sierras–received many requests to help wild animals in need. The wildlife care center was formed when the demand for help for the animals grew, and volunteers and donations were needed to continue.

At the end of last year, this inspiring group of animal lovers has helped save almost 6,000 wild birds, mammals, and reptiles.

The organization relies heavily on their volunteers and welcomes all who want to help, just make sure you give them a call first! With the amount of wildlife they deal with there are always volunteers needed to help with administrative tasks, transports, and after a certain amount of training even helping with animal rehabilitation!

The center also focuses on community outreach. Free programs are given at numerous schools and organizations to educate the public and develop awareness that the trained staff at ESWC can help injured and orphaned animals.

If you love animals and want to be a part of a group who is doing all they can to help, please contact the Eastern Sierra Wildlife Center.

By Laura Lee Jurgens for PeterGreenberg.com