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Caring for Critters provides support for Wildlife Center of Virginia education ambassadors

Rebecca Barnabi
wildlife center of virginia
Maggie the Peregrine Falcon is an education ambassador for the Wildlife Center of Virginia in Waynesboro. Photo: Wildlife Center of Virginia.

The education ambassadors at the Wildlife Center of Virginia are some of the most important members of the organization’s team.

The animals are permanent residents of the Center because of injuries or other limitations, which do not permit their release back into the wild.

But they have a very important job representing their species and the Wildlife Center, and help the organization teach important lessons about wildlife, conservation and environmental stewardship to curious individuals eager to learn more about wildlife. They help the Center’s staff to teach the world to care about, and care for, wildlife and the environment.

The Center’s Wildlife Ambassador team includes Buddy the Bald Eagle, Maggie the Peregrine Falcon, Athena the Barred Owl and Wilson the Woodland Box Turtle.

Through Caring for Critters, the Center offers the opportunity for individuals to “adopt” ambassadors and help support their ongoing care, and to learn more about their stories and what they teach about wildlife and conservation.

Rebecca Barnabi

Rebecca Barnabi

Rebecca J. Barnabi is the national editor of Augusta Free Press. A graduate of the University of Mary Washington, she began her journalism career at The Fredericksburg Free-Lance Star. In 2013, she was awarded first place for feature writing in the Maryland, Delaware, District of Columbia Awards Program, and was honored by the Virginia School Boards Association’s 2019 Media Honor Roll Program for her coverage of Waynesboro Schools. Her background in newspapers includes writing about features, local government, education and the arts.