Letter writer: Wildlife education program takes animals to students

Graphic by Lori Deaton

I realize it may be to0 late to make the Animal issue of the Mountain Xpress, however, I believe we may be a unique wildlife organization that is serving Western North Carolina schools.

Mountain Wildlife Days is a two-day event held each July at the Sapphire Valley Resort, located three miles east of Cashiers. This past year was our 12th year that attracted over 625 children and adults from throughout the area and featured some of the top wildlife presenters in the Southeast. You can check out our website at www.mountainwildlifedays.com

For the past three years, during MWD, we raised and dedicated funds to take our wildlife education programs to schools and other organizations in WNC, including Asheville, Waynesville, Hendersonville, Brevard, Cashiers, Rosman, Highlands, Sylva and Cullowhee. We have provided approximately 12-14 programs (each year for the past three years) that have touched over 5,000 students and adults. The key involves “wildlife experts,” and in most cases highlighting live animals [as] a part of each presentation.

Our funds are limited; however, we are a positive voice for wildlife in Western North Carolina and are very pleased with the past success of Mountain Wildlife Outreach as well as Mountain Wildlife Days. …

— John Edwards
Director of Mountain Wildlife Days
Coordinator of Mountain Wildlife Outreach
Cashiers

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