The Nature of Wildworks: Mollie Hogan

The Nature of Wildworks: Mollie Hogan founded the Nature of Wildworks in 1993 when an urgent need arose to place native animals from the Los Angeles Zoo’s “Wild in the City Show”. At the time, Ms. Hogan was an animal keeper and trainer at the zoo and had raised the show animals from birth. She was able to temporarily relocate them to the Moorpark College Teaching Zoo where she was also a part-time instructor. After applying for the proper permits and then founding the Nature of Wildworks, the zoo animals were awarded permanent housing at the Wildworks Topanga facility. The Nature of Wildworks now provides lifelong care for over fifty non-releasable wild, exotic and domestic animals, encompassing 34 different species that participate with our staff and volunteers in educational outreach programs for children and adults throughout Los Angeles and Ventura Counties. Most of the species represented are native to California and were either from zoos, confiscated as illegally owned "pets", or rescued as orphaned or injured wildlife.

The Nature of Wildworks has a dual mission. First, is to provide life-long care for non-releasable wild animals. Second, the organization builds public respect and concern for native wildlife and the California environment through student programs that meet school curriculum mandates. Wildworks is dedicated to assuming a key position of leadership in the education of the Southern California’s school children about our state’s native wildlife, their habitats and fragile status.

Description of program: Through transporting the animals to off-site locations, Wildworks creates a firsthand, inspirational personal learning experience for students. The Nature of Wildworks works with educators to ensure the materials meet Science Curriculum standards. Encounters with animals in the wild are becoming more common, yet the only references most people have are negative. As a result, responses to wild animals are often limited to the extremes of “fear” or “pet”. The Nature of Wildworks finds itself in a unique situation of being ready and able to fill an information gap, one which will dispel fear of animal encounters while engendering a more respectful stance in regional communities and urban population. These programs create an understanding and an appreciation of the natural world using a unique approach. Through the introduction and personal experience with live animals, children are challenged to think what they might do to improve the natural world for themselves and others.

Programs can be tailored to meet your Life Science Unit curriculum or can be designed to meet numerous additional areas of study.

Grades: preK-8

Other: Birthday Parties • Large Group Assemblies • Private and Corporate Functions • Special Occasions

CONTACT:

The Nature of Wildworks
Mollie Hogan
PO Box 109
Topanga, CA 90290

(310) 455-0550

E-mail: info@natureofwildworks.org

Web Site: www.natureofwildworks.org

	The Nature of Wildworks Specializing in Urban Wildife Presentations "Your program should be a standard program for all elementary schools. It is so important for young people to learn that we share this world with wildlife, even in the city environment.” Phillip Hollis, Principal, Marquez Elementary School *The Nature of Wildworks:* Mollie Hogan founded the Nature of Wildworks in 1993 when an urgent need arose to place native animals from the Los Angeles Zoo’s “Wild in the City Show”. At the time, Ms. Hogan was an animal keeper and trainer at the zoo and had raised the show animals from birth. She was able to temporarily relocate them to the Moorpark College Teaching Zoo where she was also a part-time instructor. After applying for the proper permits and then founding the Nature of Wildworks, the zoo animals were awarded permanent housing at the Wildworks Topanga facility. The Nature of Wildworks now provides lifelong care for over fifty non-releasable wild, exotic and domestic animals, encompassing 34 different species that participate with our staff and volunteers in educational outreach programs for children and adults throughout Los Angeles and Ventura Counties. Most of the species represented are native to California and were either from zoos, confiscated as illegally owned "pets", or rescued as orphaned or injured wildlife. The Nature of Wildworks has a dual mission. First, is to provide life-long care for non-releasable wild animals. Second, the organization builds public respect and concern for native wildlife and the California environment through student programs that meet school curriculum mandates. Wildworks is dedicated to assuming a key position of leadership in the education of the Southern California’s school children about our state’s native wildlife, their habitats and fragile status. Description of program: Through transporting the animals to off-site locations, Wildworks creates a firsthand, inspirational personal learning experience for students. The Nature of Wildworks works with educators to ensure the materials meet Science Curriculum standards. Encounters with animals in the wild are becoming more common, yet the only references most people have are negative. As a result, responses to wild animals are often limited to the extremes of “fear” or “pet”. The Nature of Wildworks finds itself in a unique situation of being ready and able to fill an information gap, one which will dispel fear of animal encounters while engendering a more respectful stance in regional communities and urban population. These programs create an understanding and an appreciation of the natural world using a unique approach. Through the introduction and personal experience with live animals, children are challenged to think what they might do to improve the natural world for themselves and others. Programs can be tailored to meet your Life Science Unit curriculum or can be designed to meet numerous additional areas of study. Grades: preK-8 Other: Birthday Parties • Large Group Assemblies • Private and Corporate Functions • Special Occasions CONTACT: The Nature of Wildworks Mollie Hogan PO Box 109 Topanga, CA 90290 (310) 455-0550 E-mail: info@natureofwildworks.org Web Site: www.natureofwildworks.org \| About The Directory \| Home \| Contact The Directory \|