Whooo We Are...
The Blue Ridge Wildlife Institute is part of Lees-McRae College, a Non-profit Organization.
The Blue Ridge Wildlife Institute holds both state and federal rehabilitation and education permits.
Dedicated to: Wildlife Rehabilitation, Environmental Education, and Research
Our Mission
Meet Tundra!
Tundra is a partial albino grey squirrel and due to a severe spinal injury, she is non-releasable. Tundra serves as one of the Institute's Animal Ambassadors.
Recognizing that the planet and its life forms have an inherent worth, and that we have a responsibility to treat the earth and its processes with respect, The Blue Ridge Wildlife Institute is dedicated to the stewardship of the earth through environmental education, research, and the rehabilitation of sick, injured, and orphaned native North American wildlife.
Location
The Blue Ridge Wildlife Institute is located on the Lees-Mc-Rae campus in the new May Rehabilitation Center. The campus is near the Linville Gorge Wilderness Area and Pisgah National Forest.
We opened our doors on May 15, 1995 and we care for over 600 injured wild animals from the Western North Carolina Region annually, including songbirds, raptors, waterfowl, and small mammals.
The Blue Ridge Wildlife Institute conducts educational programs using non-releasable wild animals. In addition, it organizes and facilitates workshops and seminars for the education of rehabilitators, veterinarians, and environmental educators. The Institute publishes a newsletter and rehabilitators listing as networking tools for wildlife care-givers and educators. The Blue Ridge Wildlife Institute strictly follows the National Wildlife Rehabilitators Association standards and guidelines.
The Blue Ridge Wildlife Institute offers comprehensive internships for pre-veterinary and environmental education college students, providing them with a unique hands-on experiences as well as professional training on wildlife rehabilitation, medical procedures, species identification and anatomy, and much more.