On September 21, 1996 a small group of wildlife
rehabilitators and a few concerned community citizens met to evaluate
the benefits of organizing a large centrally located wildlife
facility. The plan was to build the area’s
first state of the art wildlife hospital that would care for wildlife
and educate the public. Armed with only a dream, a plan, an operating
fund of zero and approximately 30 determined people, this newly formed
group set out to pioneer an organization that would aspire to build a
volunteer wildlife rehabilitation center. It would be complete with a
hospital, specifically designed to medically treat and care for sick,
injured, and orphaned wildlife.
Our main goal was and continues to be:
"reintroduction and release of our patients back into the
wild." The benefits of forming an organization in terms of quality
care, funding, and networking knowledge were obviously the most
efficient way of providing service to the community and the wildlife.
Today, Messinger Woods is a 501 (c) 3 not-for-profit organization. The
center’s name came about to show our appreciation to Mrs. Edith
Messinger and her family, who were responsible for the donation of our
first parcel of property. We have just exceeded our 6th year
anniversary since that grass roots
meeting,
yet Messinger Woods has accomplished the unimaginable.
Messinger Woods has a supporting membership base of
over 1000 people, 12 volunteer departments of approximately 200 people,
strong veterinary support, and two parcels of property exceeding 60 acres of
biodiverse habitat. Best of all, the funds needed to build our
wildlife hospital were met, and construction began in September of
2002. As we enter our sixth year as a not-for-profit organization,
the hospital is nearing completion. Our ribbon cutting ceremony
will take place this May 2003. It is important to note that
no
salaries are paid to any officers, directors, staff, or members. 100%
of all donations are used for wildlife care and the continued
development of Messinger Woods. We would also like to
acknowledge Mrs. Hilda Wheeler, who also
shares our goals toward the preservation of our natural world.
Mrs. Wheeler was responsible for
the donation of our second parcel of property. This beautiful unspoiled
acreage has been named "The Wheeler Site", to immortalize her
gift back to nature, and to once again demonstrate our appreciation.
To realize that a project of this proportion is
being carried out entirely and so successfully, on a volunteer basis, is
proof that our community is comprised of compassionate, hard working
citizens who have a genuine concern about life. It also projects a very
exciting and promising future for our organization. Messinger Woods is
still in its infancy, but progress and community support has been
nothing short of excellent. Our potential for growth, and the
fulfillment of our mission is more assured today than it was on
September 21st 1996. The Future of Messinger Woods is well rooted in
today. This organization is only possible because of people ... people
like YOU!
WHAT
MAKES MESSINGER WOODS UNIQUE?
Messinger Woods is a 501 (c) 3 not for profit
membership supported organization. It is operated by its Volunteer
Boards and Directors as well as its active member/volunteers. Truly the
most unique thing about Messinger Woods is its future for long term
operational longevity in Western New York. It is not a sole
proprietorship, but the corporation of Messinger Woods who own all
property. The Corporation and By-laws of Messinger Woods have been
carefully planned to insure the replacement of any officer or director,
should a vacancy necessitate such action. Messinger Woods is also a
chapter of the Erie County Disaster Preparedness Committee’s task
force, and is responsible for responding with County officials during
civil disasters involving wildlife and public health issues.
Back to Frequently Asked Questions
