The wildfires of recent years have introduced many of us to the term, “Wildland-Urban Interface,” the rapidly expanding border where human habitation meets the wilderness. Fire is not the only thing humans are encountering more of: people and wildlife increasingly find themselves calling the same places home, leading to risks for both humans and animals. Ample open spaces mean that human-wildlife encounters are common in Marin. Wildcare’s mission is to make sure that all species can coexist.

Wildcare was formed from the 1994 merger of two respected Marin wildlife organizations: the Terwilliger Nature Education Center and the California Center for Wildlife. It pursues its mission through a two-pronged approach that reflects the goals of each of its ancestors: education and rehabilitation. It saves wildlife injured or orphaned through natural or human causes and teaches students young and old the essential interconnection among species.

Each year, WildCare’s Wildlife Hospital treats as many as 4,000 ill, injured or orphaned wild animals, consisting of more than 200 different species of mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians. Its educational programs reach more than 35,000 Bay Area children and adults and its volunteer staff answer thousands of calls on its “Living with Wildlife Hotline.” (415.456.SAVE)

According to WildCare’s Alison Hermance, by educating the public, “We’re in a position to help prevent people from injuring animals.” For example, you may not know that the transition off of daylight savings is a dangerous time for wildlife because human activity extends further into darkness and is more likely to encounter nocturnal animals. Or you may not know not to trim trees in the spring, as that is when and where many baby animals are nesting. Conveying information such as this allows WildCare to address the underlying causes of wildlife injury and not just treat the symptoms in its hospital. According to Hermance, “It’s one of our big advocacy messages – we can proactively make a difference!”

WildCare’s work to create a more sustainable ecosystem for us all is made possible by volunteers who give approximately 40,000 hours of their time each year treating and teaching. Volunteers have also been known to donate pro bono legal assistance from time to time! None of WildCare’s more than three-million-dollar budget comes from the government—it comes entirely from individual donations, memberships and private nonprofit foundations.

WildCare is open to the public seven days a week from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. In addition to attending on-site events, such as its “Summer Happy Hour,” the public can sign up for its Family Adventures Program – a free, bilingual series of hikes throughout Marin County. WildCare is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and you can learn more about its wildlife care and education programs, volunteer opportunities or how to donate on its website.

As the green and blue on our globe continue to disappear, it is critical for humans to maintain a sense of their place on it. WildCare believes that only by understanding the place of each other living thing – and helping to preserve it – can we find a future for us all.