Leonardo da Vinci

Message From the President Project Wildlife's Accomplishments  by Ruth Hayward, President

Newsletters (PDF format) Spring Summer 2006 Spring Summer 2005 Winter 2004-2005 Winter 2003-2004 Fall 2003 Spring 2003 Adobe's free Acrobat Reader is required to view and print PDF documents.

People familiar with Project Wildlife are extremely proud of and impressed by the selfless work our volunteers do to provide the County's wildlife a second chance at life. Over 350 PW volunteers donate 300,000 hours of their time yearly to carry out our mission. Then there are our members and supporters: immeasurable gratitude and thanks go to those who donate to our cause and make our work possible. 

Most of Project Wildlife's hours are spent for the direct care of animals, but behind the scenes the Board, Staff and a cadre of volunteers are tackling other issues. We often are asked, "What else is happening?" To answer that question, I'd like to list some of the major accomplishments and tasks completed during the past 18 months. As you will see, we're building a strong foundation for the organization, now and for the future. 

Governance

• Established standing and ad hoc board committees for: Animal Care; Training (for volunteers); Finance; Resources; Facility Planning; Infrastructure; and Nominating
• Formed an Advisory Board composed of respected San Diego Professionals
• Re-established PW's welfare exemption with the State Board of Equalization and the San Diego County Tax Assessor

Updated, wrote or rewrote major governing documents

• The Articles of Incorporation (adhering to current nonprofit law requirements)
• The Bylaws (to current statutes, providing protection for the organization)
• The Policies and Procedures for liaisons, team leaders and volunteers (people that work directly with wildlife)
• The Employee Manual
• Employee job descriptions

Training and Education

The following PW training classes have been approved as continuing
education by the California Department of Fish and Game. These and more were offered to PW volunteers and staff:

• International Wildlife Rehabilitation Council's "Basic Wildlife Rehabilitation" — Area Coordinators, Team Leaders, Assistant Team Leaders, Training Team and Staff
• A professional management consulting group, Focus, presented "Leadership" — Area Coordinators, Team Leaders, Managers and Assistant Managers
• Given by Diana Orr of Wildlife Rescue, "Rehabilitation of Wild Rabbits" . Rabbit Team Members and Assistant Managers
• By Jane Meier, DVM, "Basic First Aid for Wildlife" — open to all volunteers
• Given by Tyco/Kendall Healthcare "Advanced  Wound Care" — Team Leaders
• By Jane Meier, DVM, "First Aid and Zoonoses" — for
  Training Team
•  By Training Team, two classes "Fluid Therapy and
  Injections" — open to all volunteers
• By Training Team, two classes "Dosage Calculations
  and Medications" — open to all volunteers

Money Saving/Generating Measures

• Accounts payable brought in-house, saving money and providing oversight
• Envelope stuffing for mailings done at office by volunteers; eliminated mailing house
• Restructured employee health insurance, saving money for employees and PW
• Became an approved member of eScrip cash donation program
• At Project Wildlife's request, LEAD San Diego organized a purchasing co-op for SD County animal organizations

Grants and Awards Received

• $5,000 from The San Diego Foundation — to purchase laboratory equipment for the Care Center.
• $40,000 from San Diego County Supervisor Pam Slater — for new fixtures, computer and repairs at the Care Center; rehabilitation equipment, cages and education materials for teams
• $10,000 from County of San Diego — to produce a video documenting PW animal rescues to air on County Television Network (CTN)
• $15,000 from San Diego County Supervisor Ron Roberts — for architectural and consulting services to produce a conceptual rendering for a new Care Center 
• $10,000 from The Ellen Browning Scripps Foundation — for PW programs
• . $4,800 Total from Boeing Corporation, Capital One Financial and TRW, to be used for operating expenses

Expanding and Improving Services

• Established a partnership with San Diego County to park Project Wildlife's Mobile Care Unit at North County Animal Services, across from Palomar Airport, during baby season (Approx. 600 animals received in 2003). This provides a place for the North County community to bring wildlife needing help
• PW will have a dedicated rehabilitation room in the new North County Animal Services facility, opening 2005
• Process begun to research and plan a permanent home
  for Project Wildlife 

A note about the Grants and Awards: All the monies received, except the $4,800, are "restricted funds", i.e., the money is for a specific purpose such as caging, education, and similar needs. The $4,800 is unrestricted and can be used for operating expenses such as utilities, vet expenses, medications, or rent. One operating expense that recently caught us by surprise is the bill for Employee Compensation Insurance (Worker's Comp). PW's bill is $6,632, certainly high for our small number of paid staff. 

This brief outline is intended to show the progress PW is making to insure that our business, personnel, and animal care practices conform with the legal and administrative requirements

Ruth Hayward, President

Do We Have Your Current E-mail Address?

We'll send you advance notice of special events, remind you when it's time to renew your membership, send invitations to members-only lectures, and more! Eventually, we will even be able to send you the Back to Nature newsletter electronically!

Please take the time to give us your e-mail address either by visiting our web site at www.projectwildlife.org. 

Thanks for your help!

Back to Nature newsletter is published quarterly by:
Project Wildlife
4343 Morena Blvd., #7
San Diego, CA 92117

Project Wildlife is a nonprofit, nonpolitical, volunteer organization dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation and release of San Diego County Wildlife. Project Wildlife is also dedicated to the education of San Diego County residents on local wildlife and how to coexist with local mammals and birds.

To get in touch with Project Wildlife, see our contact page

Ways to Give:
Endowment Program
United Way Donations
Flowers for Wildlife
Protectors of Wildlife

Programs:
Education Department and Programs