The willowbrook wildlife center will design and develop a plan to provide educational and action-oriented messages to address gaps in public understanding of the medical science behind wildlife…

The Willowbrook Wildlife Center received a $500,000 Project Grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the Museums for America (CFDA 45.301) federal grant program. The grant supports the design and development of a plan to provide educational and action-oriented messages that address gaps in public understanding of wildlife rehabilitation, the impact of human activities on wildlife habitat, and solutions for healthy coexistence between people and wildlife. Key deliverables include the creation of interpretive panels, curriculum-based school field trips, a classroom loan box, and a family discovery backpack. The project aims to encourage informed public action to prevent and respond appropriately to human-wildlife conflict and contribute to a sustainable future. The award period is September 1, 2023, through August 31, 2026.

The willowbrook wildlife center will design and develop a plan to provide educational and action-oriented messages to address gaps in public understanding of the medical science behind wildlife rehabilitation, the impact of human activities on habitat, and provide solutions to healthy CO-existence of people and wildlife that can contribute to a sustainable future. Project activities will include graphic design and production of interpretive panels for the visitor center and outdoor interactive trails experience; development of curriculum-based guided and self-guided school field trips; a classroom loan box with lesson plans, and a family discovery backpack for visitors; and evaluation of both the interpretive visitor experience and the curriculum-based and family learning materials. The resulting new visitor experience will encourage informed action so local and regional visitors can learn what they can do to help prevent and respond appropriately to human-wildlife conflict.