BACK TO THE WILD'S MISSION STATEMENT

BACK TO THE WILD'S primary mission: to rehabilitate and ultimately release into their natural habitat, injured, orphaned and displaced wildlife. Through this work, BACK TO THE WILD'S overall mission is to educate and foster in children and adults, awareness, appreciation and respect of our natural world. Children especially, are encouraged to become responsible caretakers of our earth, by becoming involved in conservation activities to preserve and protect wild areas and to understand our own interconnection with all living things.

DEAR FRIENDS OF BACK TO THE WILD

HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO ALL ! ! !

* 2009 UPDATE *

* * * 1990 – 2010 * * * 20 YEARS OF SERVICE!

20YEARS of WILDLIFE RESCUE !

20 YEARS of TEACHING YOUNG MINDS about our natural world !

20 YEARS of WORKING TOGETHER . . .

. . . Collectively, through 20 YEARS, because of YOU - our volunteers and supporters - we have been able to dedicate our minds, hearts and lives to BACK TO THE WILD'S mission of wildlife rescue, rehabilitation and education. Because of YOU, our doors have been open to the community for 20 years, to accept injured wildlife any hour of the day, every day of the year. Because of YOU, over 70,000 children and adults, this year alone, visited BACK TO THE WILD, or attended one of our programs where they were encouraged to respect, appreciate, preserve and protect our natural world. Because of YOU, we have been able to build an outstanding facility to share with people of all ages, from pre-schoolers to seniors, and a facility that allows us to do the best job possible "housing and healing" our injured wildlife patients! The fact that this organization has grown so fast and strong is proof that our work in wildlife rehabilitation and nature education is a much-needed service in any community and that YOU ~ our supporters ~ truly believe in our work! Thanks to all of you, we have once again rescued over 2,500 injured wild animals this year and have been able to return over 60% back into the wild!

Besides the thrill of releasing a wildling back into the wild and being able to play a part in opening a child's eyes to the wonders of nature, another favorite part of our everyday life here at the center is sharing it all with you, our supporters, and the thousands of visitors who stop by each year! We love giving you the opportunity to meet some of our permanent wildlife residents up close and to learn about their importance in the natural world. Many of you have had the opportunity to see some "behind the scenes"" help offered to our wildlife patients, although we are careful to protect them from human disturbance ~ to keep them wild!

This dual mission of BACK TO THE WILD ~ rehabilitation and education ~ is an overwhelming task on a daily basis. While the physical work required to rehabilitate injured wildlife is extremely labor-intensive and demanding, it is the least of our problems. We believe in and are fiercely passionate about our work, so we do not mind the labor aspect of it at all! In fact, the privilege of working with and helping these amazing and beautiful creatures of the wild is beyond rewarding! But our most daunting and least favorite part of this work is having to seek every way possible to find the funding required to "keep our doors open" so we can continue our mission.

To keep our doors open means that we need a staff on board every single day. A center this size requires a staff of at least 20 employees, but with our very limited financial resources, we are forced to operate with a skeleton crew that must care for over 2,500 animals throughout the year! Our modest crew of just seven employees achieve the work of a staff three times its size! Call and schedule a visit to see them in action! We are pleased to receive constant comments from visitors who have stopped in and wanted us to know that even though a staff member was very busy, they were extremely professional, kind, informative and accommodating to them.

We are so-ooo proud of our fantastic staff: Sarah Langdon, our Staff Supervisor, and Heather Yount are our only full-time employees; Libby Boros, Julie Bauerschmidt, Judy Robles, John Staugh and David Bauman are valuable part-time employees. College students, Melissa Dodge and Alyssa Oglesbee offered welcome extra help this summer! Finally, without our dedicated volunteers, we truly could not keep up! Always on call and more than willing to help are volunteers Martha Dykes, Doug & Debbie Haubert, Amy Bauman, Courtney Brennan, Jennifer Jackway, Cheryl Crosser, Jill Groves, Linda Goretzki, Sharon Parish, Shirley Gantt and Ben Dennis. In addition, we have dozens of other amazing volunteers and numerous high school and college students who help intermittently or seasonally. Along with our staff, they all do a fantastic job helping to run the center, answering endless phone calls, rescuing and transporting wildlife, feeding and caring for patients, making trips to the vets, picking up supplies, greeting visitors, providing dozens of tours daily, educating school, youth and scout groups here at the center and off-site, and CLEANING, CLEANING, CLEANING ! ! ! To say they are important is an understatement! Their dedication is amazing and they are our inspiration!

Please call to schedule a time to meet our staff and volunteers! Visit and tour our center to learn more about our work! Find out many different ways you may be able to help us help wildlife! Join one of our educational presentations being given in our amphitheater almost every day in the spring, summer and fall. If you have not visited the center in the past year or two, you will be amazed at our newest exhibits and changes! Please plan to make it part of your family outings or stop in with friends, to re-visit and tour BACK TO THE WILD!

FOR TOURS AND VISITS, DONATIONS ARE MUCH-NEEDED AND GREATLY APPRECIATED!

* A call ahead will help our staff set aside special time for you! *

The following information is repeated from last year's letter, but we are continually amazed to find that many first-time visitors who drop off an injured animal, or stop in for a tour, are still unaware of BACK TO THE WILD and our real mission. We are always surprised to hear the following comments repeated time and time again:

• "I had no idea of the scope of what you are doing here." You might have to see it to believe it!

• "You should advertise more, because no one knows you are here!" There really are over a hundred newspaper stories, magazine articles and T.V. clips out there ~ both locally and nationally. We exhibit and educate at schools, youth camps, park districts, libraries, civic groups, the Ohio State Fair and numerous other events throughout Ohio each year.

• "You work for the State or the Park District, don't you?" BACK TO THE WILD stands alone. Although wildlife rehabilitators are required to hold both State and Federal Permits, we receive NO funding at all. We operate under very strict government regulations, are subject to inspections and must maintain accurate daily records detailing the reason each wild animal is taken in, the county it came from and its final disposition.

• "Your facility is so clean and well organized and your staff is very friendly and helpful!" Thank you so much for noticing and for your kind comments - it means a lot to us!

• "How much does the government pay you to do this?" The honest truth: Absolutely nothing! In fact, to renew our permits, there are State and Federal fees involved which allow us to have these wild animals in our possession.

• "Will any of your donations be used to pay "help" or to pay for "utilities?" Yes, of course, donations are used for all operational costs to run the center ~ how else would it be possible to feed and care for all the animals, build necessary shelters and pay the bills? However, Bill and I are volunteers and do not receive a wage.

• "How are you planning to keep this going when you can no longer do it?" I think they are politely saying ~ What happens when you are too OLD?! OH, BY THE WAY, WE DO HAVE A PLAN!

• "Aren't you interfering with nature by caring for wildlife?" Here is our chance to educate ~ we do not intervene in a wildlife situation, unless it is a human-related cause. Over 90% of the injuries to wild animals that are received at rehabilitation centers are the direct result of negative human impact on wildlife habitats and their food chain.

So with much chagrin, but with absolute necessity, I am once again pleading for our cause. We are counting on our faithful long-time and new-found supporters to help us continue our work at BACK TO THE WILD! We depend so much on caring citizens like you, who believe in the work we are doing here, to help make a difference! As you know, BACK TO THE WILD is a 501(c)(3) non-profit charity which receives no funding from tax monies or Federal or State Agencies ~ we depend 100% on donations from businesses, civic organizations, community foundations and gifts and bequests from private citizens like you, to meet our financial needs. It should come as no surprise to you to learn that BACK TO THE WILD has been facing a great financial challenge this year. Sadly, we have experienced a more than significant drop in donations the past two years, as have most charities, due to the stressed economy. This has created a crisis for us. We often receive apologies from some of our long-time supporters who are no longer able to give as much as they used to. WE UNDERSTAND. That is why it is all the more important for us to reach out to those of you who may be in a position to help. If you can, please consider us at this critical time!

Remember ~ your donations are tax-deductible!

We promise to continue to work around the clock ~ 365 days of the year ~ helping wildlife in need. We continue to receive hundreds of songbirds, herons, egrets, ducks, geese, hawks, owls, eagles, rabbits, squirrels, fox, opossums, skunks, snakes, turtles and other wildlings ~ each species requiring special diets, medication and housing. With limited staff and costly operating expenses, it is a great challenge to meet our work load here.

We believe we have made a deep commitment in dedicating our lives to help make a difference for wildlife in need. We believe through education, we can help children become responsible caretakers of the earth and not repeat the mistakes of past generations. We believe, with your help, we can and will continue our work here at BACK TO THE WILD and that we can make you proud to be one of our steadfast supporters!

We simply can't do it without you!

We regret that it is virtually impossible to name each and every one of our supporters and volunteers in this letter ~ we would if we could! A visit to BACK TO THE WILD, though, will allow you to see all your names acknowledged on plaques and pavers throughout the center! Our heartfelt thanks for your support ~ we are truly honored to know that you believe in our work! If you are able, please continue to remember the animals at BACK TO THE WILD and consider including our cause in your Holiday Spirit of giving to those in need.

We promise we won't let you down!

Another regret is that we cannot often share our many wonderful stories with you about our wildlife patients ~ our successes and losses. This is due to the great expense newsletter mailings create for us. Printing of literature and postage is simply too costly for us to absorb. So we feel that one very large "newsy" newsletter at the end of the year, seems to be the best way to update all of you on BACK TO THE WILD'S latest happenings and remind many of you to remember the animals throughout the winter months. We do have several other informative brochures we are more than willing to share with you and will gladly send at your request. We are often asked for our literature and feel it is important to circulate, since it frequently generates donations. We do post current events, articles, fundraisers, Open Houses and other information on our website at www.backtothewild.com. We make every effort to use our resources wisely. In handing out literature, we carefully monitor the success or failure it achieves in generating support! We apologize if you have mistakenly received our literature more than once and would greatly appreciate if you would kindly pass it along to someone who may be interested in our work!

You can help us spread the word !!!

* However, if you do not wish to receive our literature or no longer want to be on this mailing list, please do notify us and we will honor your request! We want to save trees, too!

WAYS YOU CAN HELP BACK TO THE WILD CONTINUE ITS WORK . . .

•	SEND A DONATION TOWARD FOOD, MEDICAL OR OPERATING COSTS
•	BECOME A REGULAR SUPPORTER
•	SPONSOR A WILDLIFE PATIENT AT OUR CENTER - Includes Certificate and Photo
•	PROVIDE AN ITEM OR TWO ON OUR WISH LIST
•	HOLD A FUNDRAISER FOR BACK TO THE WILD
•	HONOR A FRIEND BY PURCHASING AND INSCRIBING THEIR NAME ON A PAVER IN OUR PLEDGE FOR WILDLIFE WALKWAY OR OUR NEW WOODLAND WALKWAY
•	DECLARE YOUR SUPPORT BY PURCHASING AND INSCRIBING YOUR NAME ON A PAVER IN OUR PLEDGE FOR WILDLIFE WALKWAY OR OUR NEW WOODLAND WALKWAY
•	REMEMBER A LOVED ONE, IN OUR MEMORIAL GARDEN
•	HELP TO SECURE OUR FUTURE BY DONATING TO OUR ENDOWMENT FUND THROUGH THE SANDUSKY/ERIE COUNTY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
•	LEAVE A LEGACY ~ INVEST IN THE FUTURE OF YOUR GRANDCHILDREN BY BEQUEATHING A GIFT THAT WILL ALLOW US TO CONTINUE THIS WORK

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A VERY SPECIAL THANKS to JOHN D. FRANKEL, ATTORNEY, who has so generously and diligently helped direct us down all the right paths to help BACK TO THE WILD be what it is today, and to LISA DEWEY of DAY'S ACCOUNTING, who is always there for us to answer our many questions!

Our heartfelt gratitude to the following Veterinarians for their generous and kind support in donating their time, advice and expertise helping us "heal" our wildlife patients:

Marianne Socha, DVM, Fireland's Animal Clinic, Huron, Ohio

Lynn Arnold, DVM, Critter Croft Pet Clinic, Milan, Ohio

Jamie Lindstrom, DVM, Animal Clinic Northview, North Ridgeville, Ohio

Susan Orosz, DVM, Bird & Exotic Pet Wellness Center, Toledo, Ohio

ALSO, we are truly grateful for the great generosity of the following local Foundations, who have contributed towards numerous projects at BACK TO THE WILD, to help us serve the residents of our communities. We are honored to have our work recognized and supported by these very significant, philanthropic organizations. Their gifts have made our new Handicap Accessible Restroom, Handicap Accessible Acknowledgement Walkways and several of our Educational Exhibits possible:

· The Wightman-Wieber Charitable Foundation

· The Sandusky/Erie County Community Foundation

· The SECCF Youth Advisory Council

· The Sidney Frohman Foundation

· The Randolph J. and Estelle Dorn Foundation

· The Frost-Parker Foundation

· The Mylander Foundation

· First Energy Foundation

BACK TO THE WILD ACTIVITIES IN 2009

AND SINCE THE BEGINNING !

*What happened*	*in 2009*	*since 1990*
Total # of . . .
. . . rescued wild animals	2,500+	36,500+
. . . animals returned to the wild	1,500+	23,220+
. . . Bald Eagles admitted to center	12	43
. . . miles to rescue injured wildlife	23,000+	370,000+
. . . telephone calls	15,024	240,000+
. . . cages built to house injured wildlife	3	87
. . . Eagle Scout Projects completed at BTTW	1	20
. . . College Students completing unpaid internships	6	144
. . . full-time and part-time paid staff	7	21
. . . educational programs given	544	6,797
. . . children and adults attending programs	70,000+	886,000+
. . . training conferences and seminars attended	3	48
. . . freezers and refrigerators in operation	9	15

MOST RECENT HIGHLIGHTS & ACCOMPLISHMENTS

· A spacious Songbird Aviary in a natural wooded area, housing numerous species - 2009

· A Handicap Woodland Walkway leading to Songbird Exhibit and Wildflowers - 2009

· An insulated Winter Quarters attached to Wetland's Exhibit - 2009

· Animal Barn roof reshingled and ceiling and walls insulated - 2009

· A Wetland's Facility for Herons, Egrets, Bitterns, Loons, Grebes and Waterfowl - 2007

· Extension to Clinic area for Recovering Wildlife and new Staff and Storage Area - 2008

· New Barn for Lumber Storage and Workshop Area - 2008

· Handicap Accessible Restroom - 2008

· Handicap Walkways (with inscribed pavers) to Amphitheater, Eagle and Wetlands Exhibits

· 100 ft. Extension Wing to existing Eagle Flight Cage - 2007

· Indoor Viewing Room overlooking Outdoor Exhibits and Gardens - 2008

· Ten new Picnic Tables to seat Students during Field Trip lunch hours - 2008

· New BACK TO THE WILD Sign at road - 2008

· Addition of Two new Parking Lots to accommodate Busses and Visitors - 2008

· Purchase of a Cargo Van to Transport Animals to Programs - 2008

· Large Bird Feeding Station in Butterfly/Hummingbird Garden - 2008

· Received Six Bequests:
Marjorie Owings, Louise Stanek, Norma Elmlinger
Drew and Rita Jones, Bud Coakley, William Cullen
We are truly honored.

· Endowment Fund set up through the Sandusky/Erie County Community Foundation - 2007

OUR FOUR HANDICAP ACCESSIBLE WALKWAYS, INSULATION, SHINGLES AND UPKEEP OF ANIMAL CARE AREAS AND EDUCATIONAL SUPPLIES HAVE BEEN FUNDED THROUGH GRANTS GIVEN BY: THE SANDUSKY/ERIE COUNTY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION, WIGHTMAN-WIEBER FOUNDATION, THE MYLANDER FOUNDATION, FROST-PARKER FOUNDATION, SIDNEY FROHMAN FOUNDATION AND THE DORN FOUNDATION. ALL LUMBER NEEDED FOR CONSTRUCTION OF THE SONGBIRD AVIARY WAS DONATED BY PATTI BRADEN IN MICHIGAN, IN LOVING MEMORY OF HER HUSBAND JIM. ADDITIONAL FUNDS MAKING THIS EXHIBIT POSSIBLE WERE GIVEN IN LOVING MEMORY OF JOYCE HEYWARD AND GEORGE ICSMAN. WE ARE OVERWHELMED BY AND FOREVER GRATEFUL FOR THE GENEROSITY, KINDNESS AND SUPPORT OF THESE CARING PEOPLE, WHO BELIEVE IN OUR MISSION.

CAN YOU HELP ?

BACK TO THE WILD is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization which receives no funding from state or federal agencies or tax monies of any kind. We are completely self-funded and depend solely on volunteers and support from private individuals and community organizations. Please consider lending your support in any way you wish, to allow BACK TO THE WILD to continue its work. Your tax-deductible donation can help in many ways and would be gratefully appreciated. You may choose that your donation be used to directly cover the food and medical care of injured wildlife here at the center, take part in our animal adoption program, or donate specific items on our wish list. There is also a constant need to purchase materials for new cages or to repair existing ones.

BACK TO THE WILD is truly grateful for your support. We are willing to do the work, but cannot continue to operate this rapidly growing center without your continued financial and volunteer support! Please visit us to see the work being done here or attend our OPEN HOUSE and FUND-RAISERS! Be sure to visit our website at www.backtothewild.com for updates!

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PRINT A DONATION FORM

I would like to support the efforts of BACK TO THE WILD !

Enclosed is my tax-deductible donation in the amount of $______________

I WOULD LIKE MY DONATION TO BE USED IN THE FOLLOWING WAY:

O	Food & medical care of wildlife at the center _______
O	Take part in our animal adoption program _______
O	Supply an item on our wish list _______
O	Construction & maintenance of new cages _______
O	Utilities, vehicle and other operating costs _______
O	Printing costs for literature _______

Please make checks payable to: BACK TO THE WILD

MAIL TO:
MONA RUTGER, DIRECTOR

P. O. BOX 423

CASTALIA, OHIO 44824

WITH SINCERE APPRECIATION FOR YOUR GENEROSITY AND SUPPORT !

THANKS SO MUCH FOR HELPING US HELP WILDLIFE ! ! !