A Place Called Hope
A Place Called Hope is a raptor rehabilitation and education center made up of trained wildlife rehabilitators and volunteers who are dedicated to the preservation of wildlife. Their goal is to rescue, re-nest, rehabilitate, and release wild birds of prey who have become injured, orphaned or ill with the intention of returning them to the wild after a brief stay at their center. Those who can not return, due to their injuries often become ambassadors or faculty staff members who then help them to teach the public through educational presentations how to better co-exist with wildlife within one's very own backyard.
They are located in Killingworth, CT on a nearly 10 acre lot. Their facility includes aviaries, with two that are suitable for bald eagles. A river runs through their lot! The facility includes 22 aviaries. They currently house three American bald eagles. There is also a medical building located on site.
In 2015 A Place Called Hope received their first eagle ambassador, Enapai the bald eagle. This brave ambassador is courtesy of the Raptor Rehabilitation Center of Quincy, IL. Enapai had crashed into the Mississippi River in Wever, Iowa and spent days in the water before she was pulled to her rescue. Due to injuries to her wing tip, Enapai can no longer grow flight feathers on her right wing making her non-releasable. She spent two years in the care of the Raptor Rehabilitation Center before coming to A Place Called Hope. There are now over 25 ambassadors at A Place Called Hope, including: hawks, falcons, vultures, eagles, owls, and corvids (crows, ravens, and bluejays).
The team at A Place Called Hope includes co-founders Christine Cummings and Todd Secki. Christine acts as president, rehabilitator, re-nesting crew, rescuer, educator, event coordinator, and first responder. Todd acts as the vice president, re-nesting crew, rescuer, educator, and first responder. Janet Colandrea has been with the teach since 2014 as executive secretary, website designer, and outreach coordinator. Shannon Schiesser serves as the treasurer. Although the Executive Board consists of four individuals, this organization has a steady crew of at least 12 dedicated volunteers that consist of folks who rescue birds in distress, transport birds, clean aviaries, assist with routine chores, re-nesting projects, and ultimately returning birds to their original territories.
Returning wildlife to their natural environment is the ultimate goal. Educating the public on ways to better co-exist with our wildlife is the next top priority. This is where the ambassadors shine. To look into the face of one of these magnificent beings is a way to be forever changed. For the better.
The goal of A Place Called Hope is to teach the public how to protect and respect wildlife, in particular Raptors. They are encouraged by people's reactions to their programs and their own personal stories about the Birds of Prey they have encountered.
A Place Called Hope’s Work
The following are a couple highlights of the impactful work of A Place Called Hope. They specialized in the care of Birds of Prey: eagles, hawks, owls, falcons, harriers, kites, and osprey. To find out more information regarding these projects and initiatives, click here to be sent to their official website!
Adopt a Bird
You can sponsor your favorite resident at A Place Called Hope.
With a $100 donation, sponsors will receive a Certificate of Adoption with sponsors name, a Photograph of bird chosen, the Bird’s personal story of survival and some general information about the Bird’s particular species.
On average it costs around $125 per month to feed one bird in their care. That comes out to a total of $1,500 per bird per year! They manage anywhere from 600-800 admits per year. You can imagine that it takes a lot of food just to keep this organization running!
Feeding Costs for Their Birds
Join us in supporting A Place Called Hope
75% of this month's donations will go towards this month's partner
This month and every month, Wild Boyz Photography will be partnering with one nonprofit. 75% of any donations that we receive during the month will go to the nonprofit. Help A Place Called Hope to provide high quality environmental education.