Dear friends,
Piedmont Wildlife Center is turning 20 on January 1st, 2023! We are so excited to reach this milestone and celebrate with our community of nature lovers. I hope you will join us for our 20th Anniversary Celebration at the Durham Armory on Friday, January 20th from 7:30-10:00 PM to celebrate two decades of nature connection, catch up with friends new and old, and raise a glass to the next 20 years.
Looking back at my 11 ½ years here, I am grateful for how far we’ve come and everyone I’ve had the chance to work with, from campers to colleagues. Spending time immersed in nature has been my life’s passion, instilled in me by my parents as a child. When I take a breath and look at the trees, listen to the wind and birdsong, see fish swimming in the ocean, I feel a deep connection to all beings on Earth.
Watching the kids in our camp and conservation programs light up with curiosity, I see them beginning to connect with nature as I have. They leave happy and fulfilled, wanting to come back again and again. Their self-confidence grows, and they eagerly share what they’ve learned with their parents. Most importantly, I see these children growing into responsible stewards of our environment.
Today, our nature programs are reaching more people than ever before. This year, with your help, we:
Taught more than 11,000 kids, teens, and adults through outdoor camps, afterschool, homeschool, and conservation programs.
Brought up-close animal encounters to 275 students at 10 Title 1 schools.
Received 2 grants to run afterschool programs in 4 Title 1 schools in Orange County.
Welcomed 3 new full-time staff members and 4 new Ambassador Animals.
However, as demand for our programs grows, so do our waitlists. We are also rapidly outgrowing our physical space in Leigh Farm Park. As we prepare to enter our third decade, the biggest challenge we face is expanding our programs to make PWC accessible to all members of our community and meet the NC Triangle’s need for environmental education programming. Most of all, we need our own land.
Help us meet the challenges of our next 20 years - and beyond! Join us for our 20th Anniversary Celebration by purchasing tickets as part of your year-end giving.
Can’t make it to the party? You can also make a one-time or recurring donation through our secure website.
Remember… you are the reason so many people can come to PWC and develop a life-long love of nature, wildlife, and conservation. Your gift helps us make sure everyone has access to nature’s magic.
Thank you for being part of our community, and for every way you support us. With love and gratitude from our family to yours, we wish you happy holidays!
Karen McCall, Executive Director
