We love to get out and explore! Our region has so many special and unique places. It’s my dream to get out and explore them all!
One special place this Villager would like to highlight is Speaking of Wildlife in Severn. This wildlife education centre was established in 1989 in Muskoka which operated out of the Muskoka Wildlife Centre. For many years, this was the primary leader in educational outreach for Ontario wildlife. In 2013, the centre closed, prompting the very dedicated and passionate staff to take over Speaking of Wildlife independently and relocating to Severn. Krystal Hewitt has taken up the helm and has continued the legacy of Speaking of Wildlife, along with several loyal staff and volunteers.
Speaking of Wildlife’s focus is on wildlife education. They host educational school programs, birthday parties, special events, community displays and tables and tailor programs to serve just about every audience! They also host many programs on-site such as their annual Hoot ‘n’ Howl at Halloween, Christmas Tree tours, Photography Events, and guided, private tours. Revenue from these efforts support the ongoing care of the animal residents at Speaking of Wildlife.
I have had the privilege of visiting the centre location for the Hoot ‘n’ Howl in the evening leading up to Halloween. It was so fun to see the animals at night and learn interesting facts about the species! I have also seen a school presentation and attended several community pop-ups. If there’s a community event, Speaking of Wildlife will probably be there! They have a heart for our community and a passion for animals. The centre is also home to several non-releasable Ontario wildlife, providing opportunities to educate audiences about the species and how to protect them. The animals are very well-cared for and genuinely loved by the staff.
Speaking of Wildlife greatly benefits from community involvement and contributions. There are so many ways our community can support the work being done there:
- Donations of fresh produce, fresh or frozen meat,
- Contributions of cleaning supplies such as dish soap, vinegar and dish detergent
- Financial giftings or shopping their Amazon Wishlist
- Volunteer your time at the centre for workbees and special projects
- Shop their online store, featuring adorable stuffies, clothing, assorted swag and art work, created by the animal artists, themselves!
Some children have hosted birthday parties with an emphasis on gifts for their furry friends, instead of themselves! They occasionally have specific requests, such as when their fridge broke, and the community comes through time and time again! Following along on the social media pages allows for updates and different ways to help out as needs arise!
If you are interested in supporting them in a tangible way, you can connect with Krystal via email to arrange a drop-off of items- info@speakingofwildlife.ca. She is very conscious of waste and wants food items especially to be utilized to benefit the wildlife residents.
To learn more about Speaking of Wildlife, check out their social media pages on Facebook and Instagram- @speakingofwildlife. You can also see the full list of programs and services on their website- speakingofwildlife.ca. Whether you’re looking for an outing, trying to come up with a unique birthday party idea, or find a meaningful way to contribute to our community, Speaking of Wildlife is the next place on your list to check out as you continue your Villager Ventures!
