P.O. Box 188, Elkton, Florida 32033

(904) 692-1777

www.hawkewildlife.org

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Humane Association of Wildlife Care and Education) Inc. 501 3 non profit Wildlife Rehabilitation Center. HAWKE is the largest and oldest professional wildlife organization in N.E. Florida and is dedicated to helping injured and orphaned wild birds, mammals and reptiles. HAWKE is one of the few licensed for educational birds of prey used in environmental programs to local schools and organizations since 1980. We have excellent facilities to rehabilitate everything from river otters to bald eagles. I Have been a been a licensed wildlife rehabilitator since 1979. HAWKE receives no funding though the Federal or State Government, but depends mainly on donations and fund-raisers to care for injured wildlife.

I have always loved animals. As a child I was the person everyone brought baby birds to and I raised and released them. After living in Virginia and getting my degree college I married my husband Sam, we moved to St Augustine in 1976. My parents already lived here.

I was working with animals at the St Augustine Alligator Farm when I Co -founded the St. Augustine Wildlife Rehabilitation Center in 1979. I had my own rehabilitation & possession permits so when that group dissolved in 1987. I formed HAWKE and got my not for profit federal and state certificates.

HAWKE was originally on Anastasia Island, but due to the fact that we had to leave the barrier island when ever there was a hurricane, we decided to move to higher ground and in a rural rather than suburban area. After 4 hurricanes that one summer, we were glad we had moved.

HAWKE re-located in 1990 to Elkton, where it is zoned for wildlife and we have acres of land to expand our facility, it has taken 19 years to get all the cages built, and we have state of the art inside and outside facilities (all paid for with grants or donations.) The wildlife is kept far from the house with a hospital ICU room bathroom and more, we even have a tornado room (which is poured re-enforced concrete to withstand hurricanes like the rest of the main center). We have a generator and move the wildlife inside to the special concrete room and have power for the food and medical equipment. This room is a complete hospital for wildlife with incubators, nursery examination table, lab, medical supplies, and even a library on up to date publications on care and treatment.

Myself and volunteers and vet techs can do many basic procedures such as giving IV’s, tube feeding, shots, and more. HAWKE has a high success rate with wildlife also because of the dedicated help of the Doctors of St Johns Veterinary Clinic located on US 1 in St. Augustine. They donate their time to perform major surgery and do X-rays and other veterinary treatments. They also let people drop off wildlife at their Clinic and have built a separate private room just for wildlife patients. They also feed and care for the wildlife until HAWKE volunteers can pick them up.

The main on going problem for HAWKE is the constant struggle for a dependable source of funding. There is no state or federal funds for helping wildlife. We have to pay fees for our permits and for being a charity. Even though we have 3 major fundraisers each year, and have a spring and fall membership drive, and open house, the expenses keep mounting. It is difficult to raise the money and to keep good volunteers. Many volunteers have had to quit and move away, because housing and rent is so expensive in St. Johns County, that they could not afford to live here. With gas prices going sky high, it’s difficult to get people willing to drive and work for free. It takes at least 4 hours to clean and feed just the animals in the morning shift, and then it has to be done again in the evening. Thanks to a kind husband & wife, these members are funding a part time Mon-Friday morning worker, to clean and help feed. I now have more time to donate to patients, rather than cleaning in the morning.

There is so much work involved with running a nonprofit organization. I do most of the paper work, but I need more community and corporate support. I no longer have any funding for my education programs which include a DVD of wildlife we have cared for and how kids can respect and share concern about God’s creatures. I bring my trained HAWKS, OWLS, FALCONS, even turtles and flying squirrel. The children’s eyes grow wide and they can experience their beauty and see wildlife up close. Cathedral Parish School as well as the majority of schools in St Johns County have enjoyed many of HAWKE’s programs. My wildlife programs teach students respect and to care about wildlife. Many of HAWKE’s “Kids” have gone on to become Veterinarians or biologists. HAWKE’s facilities also provide a place for many students to get their eagle scout and golden awards. Two Boy Scout troops this summer completed projects for their eagle scout Badges. WE have had over 10 projects here.

HAWKE is especially busy from February through summer. With all the roads getting built and habitat destruction, more creatures need help. Melanie gets in small (under a pound) baby river otters. They are found near roads and anywhere there is fresh water. Often the mother is killed and the babies wander out of the den searching for food. They are usually very thin and needing intensive care.

It is illegal to have them unless you are licensed, and they are extremely hard to raise. A few hours can make the difference between life and death. A year of care, and thousands of dollars are involved in raising these animals. I am one of the leading otter rehabbers in the state, and am a published author on otters. I have attended international conferences on river otters. These babies have to be fed every three hours round the clock and need special formula, and kept warm and humid in an incubator to survive. They are eventually moved outside to be with adult otters that keep the otters wild and help them learn to swim and catch prey. They will be kept at the center for almost a year before they have all the skills for release.

On our web site click on “In the News,” there are years of newspaper articles and some video of our wildlife we have cared for. We are even in on an international wildlife TV Show called “Wildlife Nannies.” They came and filmed here for three days and followed me all around. The web site has info on this also.

HAWKE has cared for over 30 eagles over the years, we average 3-4 per year but one year we had over 13 eagles come in. We are one of the few centers in all of NE Florida that can care for dangerous and endangered species also. We recently released a bobcat and had the only Florida mink ever raised and released by a wildlife rehabilitator.

You can support us even if you do not live here. As a wildlife rehabilitator we receive animals from many areas. We are all part of God’s creation…. interconnected. Leaving behind my life as an artist years ago, I have chosen to dedicate my life to helping wildlife and teaching people to have compassion for all wild things and our environment.

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UPCOMING H.A.W.K.E. EVENTS

There is still room for our dinner this Friday

We are having our annual dinner at (Raintree Downtown St Augustine ) it is the same price as last year $65 per person and includes everything even the tip! Of course you pay for your own wine and or mix drinks. I give a live birds of prey program. The dinner is in the upstairs private dining room for us only! You must send in an advance payment( you can also pay on line at our website) . Email and let me know if you can come or any questions.

helphawke@windstream.net or call me 904 692-1777.

Here is the menu we can have a vegetarian substitute just ask in advance. Check out our website www.hawkewildlife.org People can pay on line just go to membership and put other and put $65.00 and say dinner but let me know first!

The Raintree Restaurant Presents the 12^th Annual Dinner for H.A.W.K.E Friday November 6th 2009 at 7.00 p.m.

Margarita Bruschetta

Mixed Baby Green Salad

Served with Sesame Soy Shrimp and Calamari

Chicken Zingara

Baked Chicken Breast, Tarragon. Port Wine, topped with Prosciutto Ham

And Provolone Cheese. Served with Seasonal Vegetables

Bourbon Street Bread Pudding

Served with Vanilla Ice Cream and Caramel

Tea or Coffee

Cash Bar Available for Alcoholic Beverages

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2009, from 1 to 4 PM, “MEMBERS ONLY” OPEN HOUSE. Bring your family for a holiday treat they will remember for a long time. For guests or people who want to join that day, it’s only $25 for Single membership. For families (their kids 18 & under, not extended family) it is only $35. Come out and meet the volunteers and officers of HAWKE, and take photos of all our Adopt-a-Critter buddies. Waiting for your visit will be the new, improved turtle pond/butterfly garden, Liberty, the red-tailed hawk, owls (Barney, Twiggy, and Hedwig), and Felicity the fox. See our baby box turtles. Visit with our playful river otters, Opie, Charlie, and Andy, as they perform their antics in their large pool. Our patient room, feed room, ICU, and outdoor animal housing facilities will be open for tours. We extend this special invitation to current members, individuals who have volunteered, and those people who have donated advertising, money, services, or supplies including silent auction items, St. Johns Vet doctors and staff. Guests are welcome if they plan to join HAWKE that day. Enjoy soft drinks and homemade goodies under the moss-covered oaks. For the protection of the animals, however, wildlife under rehabilitation will not be on display. Call Melanie at 692-1777 to get directions or for more information. We hope to see you there. If you are a major contributor ($500 and up) and cannot attend Open House, call Melanie for a personal appointment tour. We will have plants and other items for sale. Membership includes a spring Open House.

Saturday, February 27, 2010, from 6:30 to 10:30 pm. DO NOT MISS the 22^nd Celebration of HAWKE and Music for the Birds Benefit Concert to be held inside the St. Johns County Agricultural Center, located off SR 16, across from the St. Augustine Outlet Mall. You will not want to miss the unique Florida sounds of Bob and Joline, the Friends of Mine Band, and other wonderful musical artists who donate their talents to help wildlife. Check out Bob & Joline’s website at www.bobandjoline.com. Sit and relax, listen to the music, and meet some of HAWKE’s critters. Bring a checkbook—the event also includes a silent auction. If you care to donate a tax-deductible item or gift certificate, call HAWKE at 692-1777. Brochures and business cards will be placed with the item. Watch our website for updates. Refreshments will be available but are not included in ticket price. Get your advance tickets early! The cost is only $12.50 for adults, starting January 15 at St. Johns Vet Clinic and Music Matters, or for $15 on our website, or by mail with a self-addressed envelope: HAWKE, PO Box 188, Elkton, FL 32033. Parents can pay $10.00 at the door for children under 12. Adult tickets at the door will be $15.

SATURDAY, MAY 8, 2010, is the 16^th ANNUAL Dine on the Wild Side Benefit at the St. Augustine Alligator Farm and Zoological Park. Your ticket includes: a full day’s admission to the St. Augustine Alligator Farm and complete BBQ or vegetarian dinner. You can come to the park early and stay for the event, starting at 5:00. Food will be served at 6:00; Jerry Stalvey cooks and serves his famous BBQ chicken (complete with baked beans, slaw, rolls, tea, and dessert). Vegetarians will enjoy food donated by Gypsy Cab Company: tofu sautéed with vegetables, and pasta cheese stuffed pastry shells donated by Jim’s Place. Music will be provided by the talented Jamie Defrates (check out his website, www.jamiedefratesmusic.com). HAWKE will have exclusive use of the Park from 5:00 PM until 9:00 PM. Enjoy a guided tour of the bird rookery to view thousands of birds, including endangered wood storks. From the boardwalk, get close-up photos of birds in all stages of life, from courtship to nesting. Bring your camera for unique photographic opportunities. Melanie will have the Wildlife Nannies TV program featuring HAWKE, in the education room for you to enjoy. Advance tickets will be on sale starting April 10, only $35 for ages 12 & up; kids 5 to 11, $20; purchase in St. Augustine at the Alligator Farm, Music Matters (Riverside Plaza), and St. Johns Vet ( north of Target on U.S. 1). Kids 4 & under do not need a ticket if they share your meal. You can also purchase tickets online for $40 until May 4 via HAWKE’s website, www.hawkewildlife.org. We are happy to announce that some expenses, such as posters, will be paid for with a grant from the Tourist Development Council. Thank you, TDC and County Commissioners, for helping us get the word out about this wonderful event.

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