18-21-NRWI FEATURE-222.qxp_MASTER: 16PP+ 2/11/22 5:20 PM Page 20
NEBRASKA WILDLIFE REHAB: HABITAT BOOST
nebraska wildlife rehab “We work with additional schools by request, too,” Supportive community Stastny said. “We also have our own high school A generous donor base and a caring community have science academy, which brings real-life biological field kept the organization thriving. experience to students before they enter college. Our “This center is more than what we could have ever university internship program will be accepting 24 hoped for,” Stastny said. “Our donors have been so interns this summer, as well.” generous as to give us one of the best facilities in the country. And now, it’s up to us to use the facility to its Currently, the organization is working on a new full potential. And I think, of course, we should be doing this in Omaha, in Nebraska. Not only do the animals collaboration with Omaha Public Schools. One of the projects that high-schoolers will assist with is growing deserve to have advocates working for them, but the and planting four native Nebraska gardens at the center. people of Nebraska deserve a resource and the opportunity to learn more and do more for our environment.” In the past, the organization has worked with Film Streams, the Joslyn Art Museum and many other Teaching others about wildlife, especially people with preconceived notions, and “watching the lightbulb go conservation-minded organizations. Additionally, Nebraska Wildlife Rehab is the wildlife partner for the off” is one of Stastny’s all-time favorite parts of the job. However, there’s one other moment that makes the top Nebraska Humane Society. of the list. Stastny said educating the public on wildlife is a critical “The day the animal is released is, hands-down, the piece of the puzzle. most rewarding aspect for us,” Stastny said. “We’re here to do everything we can to get wild animals who “A lot of people might think, ‘Why save a squirrel? There were injured, mostly due to human action, back into the are so many of them already.’ The most important thing wild so they can live the life they deserve.” we tell people is that more than 90 percent of animals Even when the hours are long, the work is dirty or that enter our care are injured, ill or orphaned due to smelly and the situations can be absolutely human action—either intentional or unintentional,” heartbreaking, Stastny said there is no other profession Stastny said. “Most incidents involve lawn mowers, cars, she would rather be doing—especially in such a one-ofor people finding animals and trying to help them when a-kind community. they don’t need help. Many attempt to trap and relocate, which actually kills the majority of them, and it’s illegal “We wouldn’t be anywhere near where we are today without the generosity of our donors and those who in Nebraska. Another reason animals enter our facility is allow us to do our work,” Stastny said. “We are due to animal cruelty. We’re not interfering with nature, looking forward to collaborating with the community but balancing the scale because of the impact humans moving forward, not only in Omaha, but across the have on natural ecosystems and wildlife.” state of Nebraska.” 20
mmAgAzIne • februAry/mArch 2022
