The Case for Elevating WildCare
WILDCARE’S $24 MILLION CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS CAMPAIGN
Elevating WildCare: An Urgent and Heightened Need
After nearly half a century of repurposing, repairing, and remodeling the physical structures that are essential to our operations, WildCare needs a new facility to continue operations and further realize our mission as a world-class wildlife medicine teaching hospital, wildlife advocacy organization, and environmental education center.
Questions about WildCare's Elevate Campaign? Email elevate@discoverwildcare.org or call Nicole Trautsch, Director of Advancement at 415-453-1000 x310.
WILDCARE PROPOSES TO REDEVELOP THE EXISTING WILDCARE FACILITIES AT 76 ALBERT PARK LANE IN DOWNTOWN SAN RAFAEL
The scope of new construction includes the restoration and relocation of the historic building currently housing the WildCare Museum, and the construction of a new, attached, three-story wildlife animal hospital, with suitable workspace for staff and volunteers, all on the existing property.
The project will include on-site development of a new courtyard to host our educational Wildlife Ambassador animals along with educational gathering spaces along the front of the property. All existing caging and hospital facilities will be demolished.
We estimate that it will cost $24 million to complete our mission-driven, board-approved capital improvements plan by approximately 2025. We aim to generate project funding through a volunteer-driven philanthropic campaign that will run until the project's completion.
Help us soar into the future!
“Community-based wildlife work is critical to teaching the community about our animal neighbors. [WildCare’s] presence at Albert Park is iconic and their facility is well loved by children, locals, and visitors.”
- JD Bergeron, Executive Director, International Bird Rescue
“No other organization in Marin County currently has the capacity or skill set to offer the essential wildlife rehabilitation services in the same way that WildCare does. …WildCare’s partnership ensures that wildlife in Marin’s protected natural spaces has increased opportunities
to survive and thrive. WildCare should have every resource possible to continue its mission.”
- Sheila Coll, Program Director, Friends of China Camp
“I am so appreciative of all that WildCare does to support our local wildlife, both in terms of the education you provide along with the rehabilitation efforts at your facility. Our students have benefited over the years from learning from your amazing and talented volunteers about habitats, ecosystems, sustainability and all the amazing benefits that our animals bring to our community.”
- Jim Hogeboom, Former Superintendent, San Rafael City Schools
Transition to New Beginnings
In preparation for construction, WildCare has relocated to a temporary site while continuing full operations.
Our wildlife patients are already benefiting from improved enclosures, and our Terwilliger Nature Education programs are running successfully.
Our demolition permit has been received, marking a pivotal moment in this project’s advancement.
WildCare's Design Passes the Design Review Board
On December 6, 2022, WildCare and architects Jessica Fairchild and Cheryl Lentini from Fairchild Broms Design went before the City of San Rafael Design Review Board with the preliminary designs for the new WildCare facility.
The design was received with rave reviews! Watch the presentation and the Board's questions and comments below.
On March 7, 2023 received unanimous approval from the Design Review Board. Watch that meeting here. The WildCare approval begins at four minutes in.