32 DECEMBER 2018 By Mallory Gleich Liberty Wildlife is a rehabilitation, education and conservation nonprofit organization that aims to “nurture the nature of wildlife in Arizona” through education and sustainability. The center was started in 1981 by Dr. Katherine Orr, a veterinarian who specialized in the rehabilitation of wild birds. Orr saw the need for a facility that would care for injured wild animals and started Liberty Wildlife as a not-for-profit that was dedicated to caring for wildlife and wildlife education. The current facility was opened in 2016 and is located at the Rio Salado Restoration area near 24th St. and Broadway Road. Before that, Liberty Wildlife operated out of Orr’s property in north Scottsdale. The organization only became public after moving to the Rio Salado area. Liberty houses a rehab center as well as a hospital for animals. Once the animals are rehabilitated, they are sent to enclosures and then released back into the wild when they are ready. There is also an educational facility on the site where some of the animals live. There are reptiles, mammals and birds who call the Liberty Wildlife building home. The public is welcome to come see these creatures during educational programming that happens on site. Staying true to its name, Liberty Wildlife hosts various wild animals, such as lizards, snakes, owls and eagles. There have also been California condors, terns, and even a pelican at the rehab and educational centers. At some point, Liberty plans on adding coyotes to the list. The educational aspect of Liberty is not limited to just on-site learning, but is also offered throughout Valley schools. “Part of our educational programming is bringing animals into the schools and teaching them about the natural history of the animals and the roles they play in the environment,” said Megan Mosby, executive director at Liberty. Trained handlers and teachers will go to classrooms, bringing with them raptors, tortoises and snakes, and teach kids with lectures and STEM activities. As of today, the facility has visited nearly 500 venues with the goal of teaching conservation and sustainability. “We have animals that are trained to go outside the facility and into schools and give kids an opportunity to see animals up close that you would normally never, ever get to see,” Mosby said. Teachers can schedule Liberty Wildlife to come to them, with presentations lasting up to 45 minutes. Liberty also hosts field trips where classes can come to the facility and see how the rehabilitation process works as well as learn about and see the animals that are on site. Kids are also invited to come out during the summer for Liberty Wildlife’s summer camp, which had its inauguration just this year. Students were able to learn about birds through hands-on activities, games and discoveries. Liberty Wildlife also holds public programs at its facility during the week. Each month focuses on a specific animal and the programming centers on education about that animal through lectures, speaker series, and events like movie nights. On Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays, folks can come out and take part in a bald eagle feeding. Director Mosby has been with Liberty Wildlife since 1984. She started as a volunteer and was appointed executive director in 1996. She believes that wildlife education should be a vital and important part of children’s education. “Kids are spending less and less time outdoors and they need to know the importance of nature,” Mosby said. “If there comes a day when they have to vote on whether or not to save something, they need to know the importance of saving it.” Liberty Wildlife is in the process of building a wildlife enclosure for mammals, as well as expanding its butterfly garden and rehab center. This year, Liberty Wildlife has taken in and rehabilitated almost 8,500 animals, including releasing more than 100 bald eagles back into the wild. For more: libertywildlife.org. Saving animals and educating kids throughout the Valley LIBERTY WILDLIFE CENTER On Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays, folks can come out and learn about the conservation and rehabilitation of eagles and other wildlife. In addition to teaching at its own site, Liberty will also send its trainers and teachers to Valley schools. To date, Liberty has brought its message to nearly 500 venues across the state. In 2018 Liberty Wildlife has taken in and rehabilitated almost 8,500 animals.

LOCATION 4647 E. Camelback Rd. Phoenix, AZ 85018 602.952.8080 BerridgeNursery.com HOURS Monday - Saturday 8 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Sunday 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. For All SeASonS Since 1938 Thank you for sharing your seasons with us. 1938 – 1952 x Jim Berridge Jr. opens Berridge Nurseries at the age of 20 x Located on the corner of Central Ave. & Earll Dr. x Plants and fertilizers brought in by train rail 1952 – 1980 · Moved to 16 th St. & Camelback Rd. · 3 acres retail space and 18 acres growing grounds · 1971: Phoenix’s 1 st 4-alarm fire burns structures and stock 1980 – 2018 · Final move to 46 th St. & Camelback Rd. · 1980: Seasons Holiday Shop opens with 4 themed trees; today it features 30 · Grow over 5,000 roses each year and offer 1,000 as bare root Founder Jim Berridge Jr. Berridge_Nurseries_2018.indd 1 11/14/18 11:11 AM