Bring the wonders of Ohio's native wildlife to your classroom or event! Heights Wildlife Center’s interactive educational programs introduce students (and adults!) to some of our unforgettable animal ambassadors, spark curiosity about the natural world around us and inspire a lifelong appreciation for the wildlife living in our own backyards.
Curiousity. Creatures. Connection.
Discover the natural world
In addition to helping native species through our wildlife rehabilitation program, Heights Wildlife Center is dedicated to inspiring the next generation of wildlife lovers by introducing them to their wild neighbors. Our programs are customizable to your educational—or fun!—goals and can be adapted for age groups, education levels or setting.
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You may know Bugs Bunny and Peter Cottontail, but what do you really know about rabbits?
Learn about Ohio’s native rabbit, the Eastern cottontail! Discover their natural history, fun facts and why they are one of the coolest wild animals in the area. Explore how we help them in our rehab facilities. Best of all, meet HWC’s live bunny ambassadors, Daisy, Buttercup or Blossom! (Live animals available but optional. Cottontail-themed activity available. Can be tailored for toddlers through adults.) -
North America’s only marsupial has been around for 65 million years, but is often misunderstood. The truth, though? They are awesome!
In this program, learn about the Virginia opossum, their important role in our ecosystem, the things that make them unique and the differences between marsupials and other mammals. (Live animal not currently available. Opossum-themed activity can be added. Can be tailored for toddlers through adults.)
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We are batty about bats! More than just a Halloween decoration, bats are a critical part of Ohio’s ecosystem.
Learn about our native bat species and what makes them such a unique member of the animal kingdom. Natural history, folklore, and conservation intertwine in this informative, entertaining program. Bat population decline and how you can help can also be discussed. (Live animal not currently available. Bat-themed activity available upon request. Can be tailored to Pre-K through adults.) -
Even the most common animals in Ohio have some pretty wild things about them! A venomous bite? The most teeth of any land mammal? The ability to have up to 70 babies a year? There are some pretty crazy adaptations right here in our own backyards.
Learn about an array of native species and their unique characteristics, morphologies, bizarre defense mechanisms and how they have adapted over time. (Live animals available. Animal-themed activity can be added. Can be tailored for toddlers through adults.)
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Have a species, topic, adaptation or natural history lesson you want to focus on? We’ve got you covered!
In total, our educators have decades of years of experience crafting, customizing and giving educational presentations to groups of all ages. Whether you want to explore a specific species, the food chain, diets, evolution, the overall natural world—or anything else!—we can provide a program that meets your needs.
Volunteer Student & Community Projects
If you’re looking for a hands-on opportunity to support native wildlife, consider one of our creative projects! Perfect for scouting or senior projects, volunteer hours or a fun group activity, these projects directly benefit the wildlife rehabilitation patients at Heights Wildlife Center. Depending on the scope of the project, materials may be supplied or donated by program participants. HWC’s needs aren’t limited to these things, though, so if you are handy and have other ideas, please reach out.
Beginner: Animal Enrichment
Enrichment is very important for animals in captivity, as it keeps them busy while also teaching important skills. Create puzzle feeders, scent boxes and other enrichment items for the animals in our care to help them stay engaged and alert.
Intermediate: Hide Boxes
Wild animals in the rehab setting are often stressed by being so close to people and unfamiliar things. Hide boxes provide a safe place for them to hunker down, which reduces stress and increases positive outcomes. Build hide boxes for the rehab patients at HWC and help give an animal a second chance at life.
Advanced: Outdoor Enclosures
We get more calls on our wildlife rehab hotline every day, but we can’t take in animals if we don’t have anywhere to put them! These projects help us build large outdoor enclosures that can house opossums, woodchuck, squirrels or a range of other native species.
Custom Projects
We always have new needs for the animals in our care and could use people with skills and imagination to help bring them to life! Reach out if you don’t see a project here that you’d like to help with, but have ideas of other creations that may help!
We’re excited to share our enthusiasm for our native wildlife and the natural world! Please contact us for pricing, availability, program details and more. We look forward to helping your group or class make meaningful connections with the natural world!
Learn. Connect. Protect.