Wildlife Center educational programs promote positive attitudes toward wildlife and emphasize how the personal choices we make affect the health of the environment. All programs (excluding Community Programs, unless by request) include meeting one or more of our non-releasable wildlife ambassadors. Presentations for school groups meet the Virginia Standards of Learning requirements.
If your program needs are complex, or you have a special request, please contact us directly at edu@wildlifecenter.org.
Group Tours
A visit to the Wildlife Center of Virginia is a truly unique opportunity for your class, club, or group. Learn about the inner workings of a wildlife hospital and take a tour of our resident non-releasable raptors, including hawks, falcons, an owl, and an eagle.
Length: One hour
Group size: Minimum of 6 people and maximum of 30 people per tour
Age: 1st grade through adult*
Cost: $10 per person (minimum fee of $100)
Availability: The Center is tentatively booked up through the end of October, with limited availability in November. December booking will open at the beginning of October. To request a program, please fill out the form below.
*Tours are not suitable for children under the age of five. The Center is a working wildlife hospital, and loud noises are very stressful for patients and resident ambassadors. We appreciate your understanding.
Tours typically start in our outdoor pavilion, which is accessible by stairs, and approximately 45 minutes of the tour is spent on uneven, non-paved, sloped terrain. Guests with mobility limitations or those who are unable to stand for long periods of time may have difficulty accessing the outdoor portion of the tour. Please contact an outreach staff member at edu@wildlifecenter.org for details.
Off-site Programs
The Wildlife Center offers off-site programs at libraries, community centers, festivals, schools, senior centers, and other special events.
Each presentation highlights the inner workings of a wildlife hospital and enables participants to meet one to three non-releasable wildlife ambassadors.
We can often tailor the content of our programs to meet the specific needs or format of your group or event. For example, we may focus on certain species or types of native wildlife in Virginia, their physical and behavioral adaptations, habitat requirements, and more.
Length: 20 minutes to 60 minutes, depending on the number of animals
Group size: Up to 150 people for best audience engagement, though this can vary based on the program setting
Age: 1st grade through adult
Cost: Program fees range from $200-$300 for a single program. The fee is dependent on the number of animals, number of programs, and travel distance.*
Availability: The Center is tentatively booked up through the end of October, with limited availability in November. December booking will open at the beginning of October. To request a program, please fill out the form below.
* Mileage fee: a $0.76 per-mile charge is applied to the round-trip distance from our location in Waynesboro, VA. Please note that our typical travel radius is roughly one hour from our location, though exceptions are made on a case-by-case basis.
Community Programs
Interested in having a Wildlife Center staff member come to your workplace, event, homeowners association meeting, or community gathering to speak about our work? Book a program on one of the following topics, or let us know a topic you'd like us to cover!
Community Programs do not include meeting an animal ambassador, unless by request and for an additional fee.
- Bear-wise: If you live in Virginia, you live in Bear Country! Increasing human development means that people and bears come into conflict with increasing frequency. This presentation covers ways to better coexist and live responsibly with Black Bears in Virginia.
- Wildlife Assessment and Rescue: At some point, most people are likely to come across a wild animal that needs help. But what do you do? How should you respond? Designed to equip you with practical knowledge, this presentation covers the common scenarios people encounter and the steps to take to rescue an animal in need of help.
- Wildlife Issues: Wild animals face a variety of challenges that can leave them vulnerable, orphaned, injured, or worse. Many of these challenges are caused by human activity and interactions, but most are preventable. This presentation highlights common wildlife issues drawn directly from the stories of thousands of wild animals admitted to the Center each year, including lead toxicosis, vehicle collisions, and interactions with domestic pets. We also discuss actions that everyone can take to minimize negative impacts and help keep wildlife safe.
- Owl Rehabilitation: Owls are popular—and sometimes mysterious—birds that always seem to captivate people. They are also frequently admitted as patients at the Center! This program delves into the fascinating world of owl rehabilitation, from rescue to release, and the unique adaptations that these birds have developed to survive in the wild.
- Living with Snakes in Virginia: Many people have a deep-rooted phobia of snakes; our cultural traditions and stories often portray snakes as the “bad guys.” However, snakes are some of the most harmless and misunderstood wildlife and are important members of our ecosystem as both predators and prey. This presentation covers snake identification, common misconceptions, and how to live side-by-side with snakes as neighbors.
Length: One hour
Age: High school through adult
Cost: $200 plus mileage*
Availability: The Center is tentatively booked up through the end of October, with limited availability in November. December booking will open at the beginning of October. To request a program, please fill out the form below.
* Mileage fee: a $0.76 per-mile charge is applied to the round-trip distance from our location in Waynesboro, VA. Please note that our typical travel radius is roughly one hour from our location, though exceptions are made on a case-by-case basis.