ABOUT
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Wands for Wildlife is a volunteer-run 501c3 nonprofit inspiring people to help wildlife and the environment through re-purposing discarded mascara wands. The organization engages people in ways to support wildlife caregivers and encourages greater mindfulness of the impact from human activities, including the use of plastics, on the environment. While we do not work directly with the animals, our programs provide wands and support to help wildlife partners and caregivers in the treatment and care of wild animals.
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What started as a program at Appalachian Wildlife Refuge, is now a separate nonprofit organization helping more wildlife caregivers and animals than we ever dreamed possible. And, with the large number of wands received, the initiative has expanded to include a Wand Art program.
Wands for Wildlife activities:
- Wandraisers – ‘Wanders’ (individuals and groups) collect used mascara wands.
- Wildlife Caregiver Resources – Wands and best practices shared with wildlife caregivers.
- Wand Art – Creative reuse of surplus wands turning them into art.
the team
This is all made possible by a small, brave team of volunteers who took on starting a new organization as a pandemic took over the world. Brought together because of a deep love for wildlife and our planet, the Wands for Wildlife team is dedicated to making a difference.
history
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On March 13, 2017, the first package of wands was received after a Facebook post went viral. Since then, wands have come in from 'Wanders' (wand donors) from around the world.
Wands for Wildlife began as a program at Appalachian Wildlife Refuge and grew into an organization with a global reach. It started in March of 2017, with a social media post asking for used mascara wands to use in wildlife rehabilitation efforts. The first wands were received within days of the post and packages have continued to arrive since. |
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The initiative grew and expanded to share wands with other wildlife rehabilitators across the state of North Carolina. After three years, it became clear that the program was beyond the mission of Appalachian Wild's focus on injured and orphaned wildlife in Western North Carolina.
At the beginning of 2020, plans began to turn the Wands for Wildlife program into a nonprofit. As the global pandemic spread, a small team of dedicated volunteers bravely pushed ahead and celebrated the establishment of the organization on June 29, 2020.
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Viral sensation
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Wands for Wildlife has been featured in Oprah Magazine, Good Housekeeping and People Magazine to name a few. Videos on large social media channels have been viewed millions of times and the hashtag #wandsforwildlife continues to trend.
The publicity and engagement Wands for Wildlife receives provides a platform to educate the community on sustainability, the impact our choices have on the environment around us and to direct support to those who commit their lives to helping the wild ones. Press inquiries, please complete the Contact Us form. |
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