The day is finally here!

The Wildlife In Need Center is moving to its new home!

After several years of searching, rasing funds and support, and negotiating leases, our more efficient, more green, more public-friendly facility will be opening on Monday, June 27th.

To accomodate for the moving process, the Center will not be accepting calls for phone counseling, nor will we be accepting patients to our clinic on:

Thursday, June 23rd

Friday, June 24th

Saturday, June 25th 

Sunday, June 26th

Click here for links to other area resources that can be of assistance if you've found an animal that you think needs help.

We will open the doors at our new facility at W349 S1480 S. Waterville Road Suite B on
Monday, June 27th.
Please note that our new phone number will be (262) 965-3090

The Final Push has Begun!

Well, we are in the final push to get the new facility completed and the activity level has reached a fevered pitch. One of the most important features of the new building is the use and conservation of water. Through the help of Joel Reinders, we have installed a system that will allow us to collect nearly all of the rain water from the roof of the new building. This water will then be used to help clean the outdoor enclosures reducing our dependency on the well water. 

Near the front entrance to the building a small water feature will serve as an example of the types of water conservation methods similar to our facility-sized system in the back that can be implemented by the average homeowner.

Additionally, our parking lot, walkways and patio are all constructed out of permeable paving bricks. This system created with these bricks, rather than traditional asphalt, allows water to pass through the paving and is then absorbed directly back into the ground. This eliminates the need to create large retention ponds. It also allows us to create various natural habitats for wildlife of all sorts.

These special pavers will help to reduce the amount of contaminated runoff collecting outside the parking area. Special care must be taken to keep them in good shape year after year, but the environmental impact is worth the effort.

Considering the surrounding environment was very important for us when we planned and designed this building. In addition to the water conservation efforts outside, the building is efficient in a variety of other areas, from the special heating and cooling system to the rain collection program. When the center opens to the public later this summer, people will be able to see how we have incorporated these various efficiencies into the design. They also will be able to see how they too can benefit from these programs in their own homes.



Natural materials and efficient heating, cooling, and electrical systems were used as much as possible as you can see here in the nearly completed front office area.

We look forward to seeing you all at our new facility in the very near future! Watch for updates in the coming weeks when we announce our long-awaited final move-in date!

This week and the following, one of the biggest projects going on at the site is the preparation and laying of the permeable paver parking lot. This system allows the water to filter through the parking area more naturally and return back to the water table rather than collecting the dirt and debris and becoming run-off like it would on a traditional black-topped surface.

The exterior of the building is nearly completed.

We hope to be able to make an official move date annoucement in the next few weeks!

April Showers Shall Bring May Flowers

As the spring finally arrives, the new WINC facility is really taking shape. When we set out to design the new center, we wanted to be a green as possible - not always an easy thing to do with a “medical” building. One of the more visible features of our green building however is that we are collecting 100% of the rainwater from the roof and recycling it for use in our outdoor enclosures. This water will be used to clean and water the enclosures throughout the summer. Additionally, a demonstration area has been built to showcase how ordinary people can employ the same techniques at home. Through visual aids and regular public programs we plan to illustrate how anyone can reuse water for irrigation and other outdoor needs. We will also demonstrate how by creating a natural way of filtration, you can create a wonderful outdoor habitat for wildlife that will continue throughout the year. Water conservation and water issues are important for all of us especially in southeastern Wisconsin. Our hope is that this educational model can help someday reduce dependence on well and city water throughout Waukesha County. 

As we move forward as an organization the intent at the new WINC facility will not only be to rehab our injured and orphaned wildlife, but to educate people in the community about ways they can help our surroundings – in turn helping wildlife themselves. 



 Just behind the building, between the library/meeting room and the outdoor enclosure area is the main focal point of the rear water retention system. This area will have a small fountain (much like the smaller size system in the front) that will help to keep the water filtered on a continual basis.





These blocks create the structure that holds the retained water. They have been buried underground and are strong enough to support the weight of the ground, rocks and living habitat that will be created atop them.





WINC volunteer and supporter, Joel Reinders, helps to lay out the foundation rock for the surface of the water retention system. This system will not only allow us to keep many thousands of gallons of water from going directly back into the area streams and groundwater, but will allow us to filter and reuse it as well - saving many gallons of water that would need to be used to properly clean and maintain our outdoor enclosures. This above ground fountain area will also serve as an ideal living habitat for native wildlife and a peaceful sight for staff, volunteers and visitors to the center.



This entire system and the beautiful landscaping that will cover it couldn't have been possible without the combined support of Reinders Inc, Dean Pipito Water Features, the Waukesha County Extension and our many dedicated supporters and volunteers. If you would like to make a monetary or in-kind donation to help us complete this project please contact us.

Spring is in the air

The central hallway is now mostly framed in; soon walls will be up and it will start to become a real building!

As we advanced our clocks ahead this past weekend, I know that spring is just around the corner. The only problem is that it sure doesn't feel or look much like spring right now. From the pictures I’ve added you can see some progress, but the real progress is in what you can’t see. First off, all the plumbing is in place and the electrical work will begin this week. The heating and cooling is going in as evidenced by all the duct work throughout the building as well. We now have a completed roof, and even the garage and flight enclosure are being finished up. Soon we will be knocking down the wall between the existing building and the new facility. This portion was waited on so that we could ensure the least amount of heat-loss possible. The good news; we are still targeting a mid May completion date. This will mean that we are planning our move for the first part of June. As long as the weather holds, and barring any unforeseen set-backs we should be able to stay on schedule. The next big step; walls!!!!

The front office will have space for all of our office staff as well as a reception and volunteer area.

The flight area is getting its roof! The area will be flexible allowing us the ability to split it into smaller areas for less flighted or smaller birds or open up all the areas for one long flight corridor.

The other good news is that we are nearing completion of our capital campaign goal! If you can help we would love to count you as part of our "flock." Visit our website or contact the Center for more information.

The roofing has been going up all week now that the weather has broken

Our builders are working hard to get the outside of the building completed so that work can progress on the inside

Thank you to our long-time volunteer, Bill, who generously brought in these photos to help us all keep up with the progress!

It was too early to say...

Winter has caught up with our new facility, slowing things down a bit :(

 In my last blog I think I jinxed us a little bit. I had said we were on schedule as January settled in and, of course, that’s when we got socked with all sorts of winter weather. For those of us who actually like winter and snow, it was nice to see, but for building purposes it is not a welcome sight. With the weather stabling again, we continue to make progress, but we have lost some time. Hopefully we can make up for this once we get closer to moving day.  

Looking into the new office area of the facility, the front door is just to your left

Now, to update you on where we’re at. The building is really taking shape; nearly all of the interior walls are framed. You can actually walk through the facility now and imagine what each room will look and feel like when complete. The workflow too, can be imagined; how things will operate and where things will go. Of course it never takes long to fill space and once we start admitting patients, taking on new volunteers, interns and researchers and inviting the public out for on-site programming, the days when it seemed so big will be long gone. Either way you look at it, the reality is that we will have a much nicer, roomier, more efficient workspace then we could have imaged ten years ago.   

The future looks bright!

On another note, our capital campaign continues to push on. We are well over three quarters of our way to our goal of $1.3 million. The support has been incredible and we are all so appreciative of everyone who has contributed. If you are interested in contributing to this great project, feel free to contact the center at 262-968-5075, or visit our website at http://www.helpingwildlife.org / http://www.helpingwildlife.org/aboutus/futurewinc.htm

Space is a relative thing

We have almost all of our walls in place!

 I was talking with someone about the size of the new facility when all we saw was the concrete slab. It looked not nearly as large as I thought it should. We discussed that, throughout the building process, there will be times that the space looks smaller then expected and then other times when it will appear much larger. 

The next time I commented on the size was when they were building the walls and the space looked enormous. A few weeks ago when the roof had begun to be installed it looked small again. Today, I went out to take some updated photos. I stood in what will become the gathering area that is now framed and thought to myself what a wonderful space for a group of students to meet and learn. I walked the halls of the new clinic area (virtual halls since the interior walls are not all up yet) and thought, “How are we ever going to fill all this space.” In the end, I am not worried about filling the space, as we all know you never have enough space because you can always find something to fill it with. 



In the Gathering and Kichenette areas - view of the Gertrude Sherman Building through the framing

 It seems with the snow on the ground and temps projected to fall into the single digits, that we may never see the completed project. But I’m assured that just in time for the spring melt we will have a wonderful new facility to call home. It really is taking shape and watching the progress and being a part of the growth is really something special. I’m happy to be able to share it with you.

M.G.

A New Year Begins

View from the west- you can just see the footings for the garage that will be built on this side of the building in the coming spring. It will serve as a utility storage area as well as a tool shop for various projects.

 As the January cold sets in we are making good progress on the building.  We are on schedule and things are beginning to look quite impressive.  As you can see by the latest pictures, the walls are being completed and the roof is almost fully installed.  Once we can “button up” the building we can start to work on the interior and then our future will really begin to take shape.  Everyone involved in the project has been working hard on making this dream a reality and I am grateful for it.  

View from the east- the Gertrude Sherman building (on right) will see some changes too when the buildings are joined together later this winter.

The capital campaign continues to be successful, and we are now starting work on a long-term relationship with UW-Waukesha and the UW System.  The program planning for the new facility has begun and the level of enthusiasm and excitement just continues to grow.  With the collaboration between UWW and WINC taking shape, the full impact of what we have been able to create using the new facility as our catalyst is very exciting. 



Capital Campaign Donor, John Peterson and Executive Director, Michael Guzniczak stand in the area which will become the new Board Meeting Room.

Thank you all for your well wishes and continuing support, we wouldn't be here if it weren't for you. M.G.