Tamarack Wildlife Rehabilitation & Education Center

Helping Wildlife in Indirect Ways

By Carol Holmgren

Scientific research shows that climate change due to human activity is impacting the lives of wildlife. Climate change is considered by many leading wildlife organizations, such as the Audubon Society, nature conservancy, and the World Wildlife Fund to be the greatest threat to bird and other wildlife populations worldwide. Even as we at Tamarack strive to assist wildlife we recognize that our activities also result in the release of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere which contributes to climate change.
We are committed to reducing climate change and are taking steps to reduce energy use at the Center. This will be of benefit to wildlife (and humans) around the world. It also results in cost savings which allows Tamarack to be better stewards of funds.

In Pennsylvania, three major areas of our lives contribute to climate change:
1. Heating/cooling/lighting of buildings and homes
2. Driving
3. Purchase of food and other goods which require energy to produce and are transported long distances

Here are some of the concrete steps we are taking: Turning down the thermostats in the Education Center and the Sick Room while investigating installation of a programmable thermostat for the Education Center. Sue DeArment is having an energy audit done of the entire facility which will allow us to identify major areas where energy use can be reduced. As part of the energy audit, insulation of buildings will be examined and we will make improvements where needed. A high efficiency washing machine has been donated by Nancy Thall which reduces both water and energy use. Car pooling is encouraged, when possible, for workers coming out to Tamarack and on occasion, some workers enjoy biking to the Center. Feeding schedules are being reviewed to reduce food waste and promote optimal animal health.
We will continue to look for ways to better serve the wildlife that come to Tamarack while reducing our energy use and promoting the health of wildlife worldwide.