Humane Society Wildlife Land Trust

01/04/2024

The New Year is a time to reflect on what’s important. As an advocate for wildlife we hope that wild animals are at the top of your list. We look forward to a new year of protecting wildlife and wild places together!

11/23/2023

The passion and commitment from dedicated supporters like you helps bring the Humane Society Wildlife Land Trust's mission to life.

We are thankful to have such generous advocates who are committed to providing humane stewardship for critical wildlife habitat.

From our Trust family to yours, we wish you a very Happy Thanksgiving.

10/24/2023

09/21/2023

VICTORY FOR WILDLIFE: Wildlife hunting contests are no longer allowed on Oregon’s public lands. Read more below>>

Wildlife hunting contests are no longer allowed on Oregon’s public lands. The Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission voted late last week to prohibit contests aimed at killing large numbers …

07/07/2023

SANCTUARY SNAPS: A thirsty bear was recently spotted stopping for a drink at the water guzzler on our wildlife sanctuary in Oregon.

06/13/2023

We welcome a new Humane Stewardship Alliance member in Maine!

One of the newest members of the HSA is the White Wolf Wilderness Sanctuary in Sullivan, Maine. A little northeast of Coastal US Route One, which runs along the Schoodic Peninsula, Sullivan includes a portion of Acadia National Park. Landowners Maria Zwicker and her husband have managed their 210-acre property primarily for the benefit of wildlife since purchasing it in 1997, using only the area immediately surrounding their home and leaving the rest natural. Members of the HSA promise to follow humane stewardship principles in managing their land, so joining helps more prominently establish what is and is not permitted on the land. This is always helpful, and especially so in areas where hunting and trapping are prevalent and lands where wild animals are safe from these activities are few.

Home to indigenous peoples for over 4,000 years, including the Passamaquoddy and Penobscot tribes, among others, the area was formerly known as Waukeag, or Adowaukeag, which means “a horseback in a place where the tide runs out very strong.” Indeed, a great tidal stream flows from Sullivan Harbor and fills the bays of Taunton, Egypt and Hog, as well as Falls Point, where the glacial kame (an irregularly shaped mound formed over time as sand, gravel and till accumulated in a depression) crosses the river.

Much of the Zwicker property was previously clearcut by a prior owner, but it has mostly recovered. Secondary growth includes oak, maple, poplar, ash, pine and diverse, healthy undergrowth, as well as some areas of old growth trees that were not cut. With streams, vernal pools, bogs and an adjacent State-owned natural preserve, the sanctuary provides vital habitat for an abundant array of wildlife. Though bears and moose are somewhat fewer than they once were, they do still roam here, and deer, bobcat, beaver, snowshoe hares, coyotes, and both gray and red squirrels are often seen. Birdlife is diverse and abundant, as well, with loons, ducks, osprey, Canada geese, wild turkeys, numerous songbirds, hawks and the occasional bald eagle either nesting here or using the land as a safe stopover in migration.

The Zwickers established the land as a sanctuary when they purchased it, registering it with the State of Maine as the White Wolf Wilderness Sanctuary. “I have loved animals all my life and have always done what I could to help them,” says Maria. In addition to working for many years as an animal control officer, she has rescued wildlife and worked as an environmental and animal activist. She ultimately hopes to protect the land from development and other exploitation in perpetuity, so it will forever remain a safe home for wildlife.

06/01/2023

Our sister organization, Wildlife Land Trust Australia, has several exciting new projects and updates they'd like to share with us here in the United States. Check them out HERE>> https://ortto.app/-/m/view-online?k=BWhzaWF1AGR36Yswn3N8hz4GYGR37NaXrJXFD-7tCeAzvmQAMKtoOwfaG7vFHw

05/02/2023

NOTES FROM THE WILD: Trust staff just completed an inspection of our Modra Wildlife Sanctuary in New York. This tranquil 25-acre habitat is a safe haven for deer, raccoons, hares, rabbits and foxes. Numerous species of birds also call Modra’s vast forest home. Check out the flicks from our latest inspection visit below!

If you want to do more to help wildlife survive and thrive on your land, become a Humane Stewardship Alliance member today>> https://www.humanesociety.org/resources/humane-stewardship-alliance-private-landowners

Photo credit: Lin Huebner

04/22/2023

Happy Earth Day! Let's think about wildlife and their habitats as well today!

04/03/2023

Wild lands are under attack and wild animals are suffering. Help us put a stop to this by joining our growing network of safe places for wildlife to survive and thrive. Learn more our Humane Stewardship Alliance and become a member TODAY>> https://www.humanesociety.org/resources/humane-stewardship-alliance-private-landowners

03/15/2023

The Humane Society Wildlife Land Trust is celebrating 30 years of protecting wildlife by preserving natural habitats.

02/14/2023

Wishing our Trust family a day full of love and joy! 💖💗

02/08/2023

Wild lands are under attack and wild animals are suffering. Help us put a stop to this by joining our growing network of safe places for wildlife to survive and thrive. Learn more our Humane Stewardship Alliance, and join TODAY>> https://www.humanesociety.org/resources/humane-stewardship-alliance-private-landowners

01/19/2023

Nirvana Ridge Wildlife Refuge in Virginia joins us!

One of the Humane Stewardship Alliance’s newest members—
Nirvana Ridge Wildlife Refuge—is a 170-acre property in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Here, Karen Lamb, Refuge founder and a licensed wildlife rehabilitator, provides safe habitat for wildlife and essential care for orphaned, sick and injured native wildlife, preparing them for release back into the wild. Pledging to follow humane stewardship principles on her land affirms and amplifies her ongoing efforts and wonderful example of living in harmony with wildlife.

When Lamb purchased the land in 2000, no one had lived there since before the Civil War. She had a house built on the land and fenced its borders. In 2001, she enrolled 40 acres near the river and streams in the Conservation Reserve Program—a federal program aimed at improving water quality, preventing soil erosion and reducing habitat loss. Toward these goals, Lamb planted 6,000 oak trees in this area. Oak trees provide food and habitat for an amazingly diverse array of wildlife species, making them an ideal choice.

Nirvana Ridge Wildlife Refuge also offers helpful guidance to the public on wildlife concerns, promoting effective and humane solutions for coexisting with wildlife, making it another highly effective point of light in the Humane Stewardship Alliance.

Read more about the newest member of the Alliance here>> https://www.humanesociety.org/news/nirvana-ridge-wildlife-refuge-virginia-joins-humane-stewardship-alliance

12/31/2022

A brighter future for wildlife in 2023 starts with YOU! Make your LAST CHANCE year-end gift today to help us continue our lifesaving work for wild animals>> https://secured.wildlifelandtrust.org/page/83349/donate/1

12/27/2022

The passion and commitment from dedicated supporters like you help bring the Humane Society Wildlife Land Trust's mission to life.

We are thankful to have such generous advocates who are committed to providing humane stewardship for critical wildlife habitat.

12/19/2022

Did you know that you can support the Humane Society Wildlife Land Trust while shopping for last-minute holiday gifts? It's a great way to support wildlife while completing your holiday shopping list. Sign up NOW>> https://smile.amazon.com/

11/29/2022

Today, a generous gift can help us provide the protection and humane stewardship that the wildlife on our many sanctuaries deserve. Will you step up for wildlife with a generous gift this GivingTuesday? GIVE NOW>> https://secured.wildlifelandtrust.org/page/83349/donate/1

11/09/2022

Happy

10/06/2022

For wildlife on the beautiful 32-acre Legacy Springs Farm in Mount Airy, Maryland, life is sweeter—and safer—because of the pledge landowners Jennifer Bevan-Dangel and Andrew Dangel made to follow the Humane Stewardship Alliance’s humane stewardship principles in managing their land.

Most of the farm is a balance of wooded habitat and open pasture, providing for a range of species, and two small streams and a spring add to its value for wildlife. Jennifer and her husband often see white-tailed deer, Cooper’s hawks, pileated woodpeckers and red foxes on their land. The more secretive gray fox likely also lives here. Learn more about this exciting new property and how you too can help wildlife>> https://www.humanesociety.org/news/legacy-springs-farm-mount-airy-maryland-joins-hsa

09/21/2022

Wildlife Wednesday Fact: Burrowing owls are so named because they live in underground burrows that were dug by prairie dogs or squirrels.