The Eastern Shore of Virginia National Wildlife Refuge needs your help. We need volunteers to help transport injured animals to either Onley, across the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel, or spots further north.

Some of our injured wildlife goes to Tri-State Bird and Rescue Center in Delaware. In the past year, we have sent a Red-tailed Hawk, a Homed Grebe, a Great Homed Owl, and just recently, an Osprey. Tri-State has a reliable transport system from Ocean City to their center. We are looking to fill in the rest of the gaps, between the southern tip to Ocean City. A transport class can be arranged with Tri-State if enough people are serious about helping us and our local wildlife. More animals will be saved if they can get to Tri-state in a timely fashion.

In addition, we also send injured wildlife to licensed rehabilitators across the Chesapeake Bay. These rehabilitators will often meet us at the toll booth on the other side of the Bay. However, sometimes they can't. We need individuals to drive the animals to the rehabilitators’ homes so they can receive the proper treatment. A third option is to get animals from the refuge to the veterinarians in Onley or Virginia Beach. If you can help out the refuge with these valuable transportation options or in other capacities, such as manning the Visitor Center desk, working in the butterfly garden, and a number of other activities, please call Sheila at (757) 331-2760.

Sheila Faith, ESVNWR Outdoor Recreation Planner