The Ottawa-Carleton Wildlife Centre (OCWC) has been working on behalf of wildlife for over 30 years. Our initial mandate was caring for orphaned and injured wild mammals. In 2005, focus was redirected to public education and outreach. Our current programs are ​built on years of first-hand experience in caring for over 16,000 orphaned and injured wild mammals, ranging from flying squirrels to river otters, and resolving more than 100,000 challenging human/wildlife conflict calls.

Our programs are directed at helping people of all ages better understand and appreciate wildlife and to protect wildlife and their habitat. Through our School Program we work with about 1,000 students each year in grades JK-8 to teach them about local wildlife.

Introducing children to nature enriches their lives. Having a connection and appreciation for the natural world also fosters stewardship and ensures that they will value and protect our natural world in the future. 

However, our programs go much further than this. We take the opportunity, wherever we can, to help people better understand and appreciate wildlife. Our programs include a range of activities such as giving presentations to community organizations about progressive solutions to resolving conflicts with animals, bringing government agencies and the community together to update wildlife policies and implement stewardship initiatives, working with residents in implementing site-specific solutions to help them coexist with wildlife, serving as a resource for people wanting to protect habitat and wildlife, and holding Nature Discovery Workshops at the Centre to expose people to the wonders of nature.

We work with people to encourage the mindset that wildlife are a vital part of our landscape. We have to start looking beyond a single issue or a single species and look at the bigger picture. We need to value all wildlife, and recognize that all species play a vital role in maintaining healthy ecosystem, not just those species that we have put at risk. Rather, we need to alter the circumstances that have caused species to become endangered in the first place.

We need to realize we are a part of nature, not simply an outside observer who can manage and manipulate it without cost or consequence. This is where education is key.

Wildlife Education School Program

Visits schools to  get kids excited about wildlife and nature. Courses consist of a presentation packed with great photos and videos, hands-on materials, and educational games.​

Pilot Projects

Works with residents and community groups to provide the tools and assistance to implement innovative ways to coexist with nature.

Community Outreach

Participate in a range of events to educate and engage people about biodiversity issues, coexisting with wildlife and habitat conservation.

Tree Planting

Help restore local ecosystems by planting trees.

Nature Discovery Workshops &
​Wildlife Education Programming

Host workshops at the Centre to connect people of all ages to nature. Or have us come to your community group to host a workshop!

Promoting Peaceful Coexistence with Beavers and Wetlands

Raising awareness about humane alternatives for living with urban beavers and wetlands.
The Ottawa-Carleton Wildlife Centre is a registered Canadian charity (#13224-0284-RR0001). Click here to make a tax-deductible donation.