Atlantic Wildlife Institute

The Atlantic Wildlife Institute (AWI) promotes learning and awareness about the direct links between environmental health and human wellness through its work in wildlife care and research.

At AWI, rehabilitation is viewed as an essential tool by which we can identify and highlight key issues for public attention and response. Our main focus is the development of a regional wildlife response network and building regional wildlife care expertise through training and educational programs.

Partners in Education

We realise that AWI cannot address all of the issues facing our regional wildlife populations, so our objective is to partner with other organisations and work together in protecting habitat and reducing wildlife displacement.

Our current focus is to develop a standard of care and treatment for injured and orphaned wildlife. This standard is constantly refined through discussions with professional associations and regulatory agencies. It is our intent to continue to develop sound, science-based standards from which interested training and education providers can base their program development.

The Wildlife Emergency Response training program is the basis of AWI’s current educational programming.

• Level 1 responders can identify local wildlife, understand the causes of displacement and know who to contact for more information. Level 1 responders come from all walks of life.
• Level 2 responders work within the emergency wildlife network of care and transportation to ensure safe and effective handling of these animals. Level 2 responders may work in veterinary clinics, work at a responder help line or are active outdoors enthusiasts, environmentalists or resource industry workers.
• Level 3 responders are typically professionals in the field of animal care, husbandry and veterinary medicine. Many of these already provide the initial treatment to injured wildlife.

AWI is developing a Web knowledge base so that all members of the network can have fast and easy access to the information they need to ease the flow of animals from identification to appropriate response, whether it be care, transport or leaving the animal alone. The training standards are based upon best practices and sound research and are available to all network members.

Please contact us if you are interested in sponsoring a program or partnering with AWI in education delivery.

Wildlife Learning Centre

Our recently completed learning centre, a 2,400 sq ft building, provides an excellent venue to conduct multiple types of learning activities. The building design is a basic shell that allows for various internal configurations.

Wildlife Learning Centre Interior

The learning centre features a central pond that will showcase local flora from the Tantramar River watershed. Space is available for hands-on activities as well as lectures and presentations. Internet access is available onsite.

Building Eagle Nests

There is space outside the learning centre for activities ranging from “predator versus prey” obstacle courses to building eagle nests. Other structures are being built to support “eco-size” physical fitness activities.

Please contact us if you would like to use the Wildife Learning Centre to
enhance your organisation’s learning activities.