CAPE NEDDICK, ME – Kennebunk Savings is supporting the Center for Wildlife’s accessibility-focused expansion with a $10,000 donation. The nonprofit functions as both a wildlife rehabilitation and research facility as well as a community-focused center for nature-based education.
The Center for Wildlife (CFW) was founded in 1986 and recently relocated to a new facility at the base of Mt. Agamenticus. The new campus includes a nature center and outdoor exhibits and state-of-the-art wildlife treatment facilities, as well as classroom and function spaces. “The goal, now that we’ve secured our forever home, is to build up our physical and internal infrastructure and to allow community members to realize the benefits and need for humans to connect with the natural world,” said Kristen Lamb, CFW’s Executive Director. Plans for greater accessibility include free and sliding scale program fees to qualifying schools, families and other community groups, and sensory-friendly outdoor play areas.
Kennebunk Savings’ grant goes toward the construction of ADA-accessible nature trails and boardwalks behind the Center’s main building. “We have funded a number of these trail constructions and expansions in recent years. Accessibility, in every sense of the word, is a key component of our support strategy for these environmental programs,” observed Bradford C. Paige, the Bank’s President and CEO. “We want to make sure everybody gets to enjoy this.”
In 2019, Kennebunk Savings supported CFW’s new building campaign with a $50,000 contribution. Additionally, through the Huntington Common Charitable Fund, for which the Bank serves as steward, they fund educational outreach programs at local senior centers. Animal ambassadors and educators travel to the facilities for a unique learning experience. “One of the things I love about bringing our non-releasable ambassador animals to senior living facilities is watching the residents get excited about the animals that I also get excited about,” said Taylor Phillips, Schools and Libraries Team Lead at the Center for Wildlife. “I also love getting to hear stories that the residents remember after meeting the animals. Some reminisce about their days as a veterinarian, others about the birds that they used to see in their backyards, or turtles they caught as a child.”
Photo Caption: From Left: From the Center for Wildlife, Fern the Owl, Taylor Phillips and Kristen Lamb. From Kennebunk Savings, Liz Torrance and Bradford C. Paige.
