PHOENIX, Ariz. -(Ammoland.com)- The Arizona Game and Fish Department manages more than 800 native species and the public is invited to meet several of them Saturday, Nov. 18, during Wildlife Day.
This free family friendly event runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Sportsman’s Warehouse, 19205 N. 27th Avenue in Phoenix (near Interstate 17 and the 101 freeway) and is designed to allow the public to meet their wildlife neighbors up close, while helping raise funds for the AZGFD Wildlife Center.
“The Wildlife Center is often the first stop for many wildlife needing lifesaving care,” said AZGFD Wildlife Education Program Manager Mike Demlong. “Wildlife Day helps us to educate the public about our diverse species and to leave people with a new respect and admiration for our state’s abundant wildlife.”
Staff and volunteers will be on hand to provide information about Arizona’s wildlife.
Visitors can also view and photograph live animals, including prairie dogs, a ringtail, reptiles, various owls, hawks and falcons. A number of preserved native mammal skins and skulls will be displayed.
The event is being held in collaboration with the Adobe Wildlife Center Auxiliary and Sportsman’s Warehouse. The Auxiliary will be selling wildlife-related holiday merchandise and raffle tickets for two drawings. Other nature-related vendors and organizations will also be present.
The Wildlife Center is operated by AZGFD with a small budget from the Heritage Fund, a voter-passed initiative that provides for wildlife conservation and education through Arizona lottery ticket sales. It also receives some financial and volunteer support from the Adobe Mountain Wildlife Auxiliary and the general public.
Monetary contributions will be graciously accepted from those wishing to support the relocation of the AZGFD Wildlife Center, outreach education programs, and the department’s efforts to care for wildlife treated at the Wildlife Center.
About The Adobe Mountain Wildlife Center:
The Adobe Mountain Wildlife Center was founded in May 1983 and functions under the Wildlife Education section within the Education Branch of Arizona Game and Fish. Its primary role is to rescue and rehabilitate Arizona wildlife and to educate Arizona residents and visitors about our unique diversity of animals.
Hundreds of animals pass through its doors annually. By providing temporary and long-term medical and rehabilitation services, the Center provides sick, injured or orphaned wildlife a second chance for survival. The Wildlife Center Auxiliary assists the Center in a number of ways, including many volunteer hours spent in daily care and maintenance of the facility (and its “residents”) and in fundraising.
Arizona Game and Fish is not funded by tax dollars. The majority of the budget comes from license fees, the Heritage Fund, and the Conservation Fund and private donations. AZGFD uses a portion of their Heritage Fund “Lottery Dollars Working for Wildlife” to provide the small operating budget for the Center. Often the needs outstrip the funds, and the efforts of the Auxiliary ensure the Center will have the necessary resources to support the day-to-day needs as well as provide the extra support during times of environmental disasters such as wild fires, floods and drought.