Ravensbeard Wildlife Center Forever Home

I am Ellen Kalish, Founder and Executive Director of Ravensbeard Wildlife Center.

Ravensbeard provides wildlife rehabilitation for injured and orphaned animals in Ulster, Rockland, Orange, Sullivan, Dutchess, Greene and Columbia counties to return them to the wild. We promote community awareness, education and appreciation for the natural circle of life, offering a hands-on opportunity to work with many species within the animal kingdom to experience their true nature. Through these endeavors, Ravensbeard hopes to foster a community dedicated to the cause of mutual respect and loving-kindness.

We are a not-for-profit 501 (c)3 and operate entirely on donations from our generous community –that’s all of you.

We are looking to purchase the property of Van Buskirk Road in Saugerties to be our forever home and emergency clinic for wildlife.

A little history:

AND, this year, 2022 - we are the inspiration for the Saugerties Chamber of Commerce, Summer Owl Street Art! Statues designed by local artists (and inspired by Rocky) will be auctioned off this September to help us raise funds for our forever home. We hope you all enjoy the art all summer!

BUT, Why are we important?

By 2100, up to 14 percent of all bird species may become extinct. And 7-25 percent (28-56 percent on oceanic islands) may become "functionally extinct." It means that the number of individuals within these species will become so low that the species will no longer play an essential role in their ecosystem. The impact of losing a single bird species is felt locally, nationally and globally (Ana Luz Porzecanski, Center for Biodiversity).

Ravensbeard has no corporate donors and no alliance with any political or social groups. We are all volunteers, and no one has an income— not even the executive director.

We are not a zoo and will not be open to the public.

We have educational birds of prey programs off-site at schools, libraries, senior centers, Scouts, State and County Fairs, where we educate the community about the environment, the interconnectedness of all life, and the reliance on each other for long-term survival. The birds used for educational programs cannot be released due to injuries that would be fatal if left in the wild. They have become ambassadors in wildlife education. I also work part-time at the Ashokan Center as an outdoor educator.

For 22 years, Ravensbeard Wildlife has worked relentlessly to foster community in the Saugerties area and to protect its animals. Now, more than ever, every call is important. Every living being deserves a second chance in life. Please join us in our mission to rescue and release all wild birds. We love the Hudson Valley and hope to continue our work for many years to come, but it only can happen through the ongoing generosity of others. We hope you will support us in our goal to raise enough funds to move into our new home.

Thank you all!