Bay Area's Lindsay Wildlife Rehabilitation - non-profit
The whole reason that Chef Barry and I decided to open a vegan restaurant was so that we could have a venue to create compassionate food and to make one small step for rebuilding community. We have a mission of compassion and that extends to everyone. Once a month, we host a benefit dinner on Sunday nights for local non profits. We had a benefit dinner for Lindsay Wildlife. - JenniferLearn more about what they do here.
Inspiration for Creating Lindsay
I've always loved learning about the natural world, and helping others learn about how to help our planet. As a child, I collected cans with my brother to recycle, and then used the proceeds to plant a tree in our Boulder, Colorado neighborhood. In high school, I worked as a summer camp counselor at a local park in the summer, catching bugs and wrangling kids. I studied Natural Resources at the University of California at Berkeley, and started working at the California Academy of Sciences soon after graduation. After landing in the development office at CalAcademy, I learned that fundraising is a wonderful way to help advance a mission and garner support for causes that you care about. Working at Lindsay Wildlife as the Development Director allows me to help further two causes that are very important to me—educating kids and saving our planet.
All About Lindsay
Lindsay Wildlife Experience is a 60-year-old organization that operates a public-facing education center and wildlife rehabilitation hospital under one roof. We have more than 50 animal ambassadors representing native California wildlife that can be viewed by families and school groups in interactive and dynamic exhibits. One of our exhibits is a window in our wildlife rehabilitation hospital, where we treat more than 5,000 patients annually. Visitors can watch an exam or procedure and learn about how we heal these animals.
Mission
Our mission is to connect people with wildlife to inspire responsibility and respect for the world we share. Our goal is to inspire the next generation of environmental stewards—children often teach their parents good behaviors and habits as much as the other way around. We want to help children connect with these animals so that they will be inspired to make small changes at home that, when added up, will create a more healthy and sustainable world for people and animals.
Anecdotes
I always thought that children got the most out of their Lindsay experience when they visited the exhibit hall with their classes or families. I've learned that bringing an animal in for treatment can leave just as lasting an impression. A friend of mine is about 30 years old and grew up in nearby Concord. He told me about a day he was playing with a slingshot and hit a squirrel. His parents made him come with them to bring the injured squirrel to Lindsay. He was so worried about the animal, and so grateful that there was somewhere to take it. He stopped hitting animals with his slingshot after that incident.
Any upcoming events
This summer is Camp Lindsay at Lindsay Wildlife. We have plenty of fun activities and programs themed for the next three months about how to enjoy nature—camping, hiking, and being outdoors—and safely sharing the space with our native wildlife friends. See More Special Events here.
How do your exemplify community and compassion?
Lindsay strives to build a community that supports animals and our environment. We do this through public events to raise awareness of our environmental issues; a membership community that comes together through shared experiences; and volunteer opportunities that allow committed individuals to heal animals, educate children, and care for the animals that live with Lindsay permanently.
Tips for living a more compassionate lifestyle
More than half of the animals that come to Lindsay's wildlife hospital are there because of human impacts, including the impacts that our pets have on wildlife. Simple things like cleaning up trash, fishing line, or leftover food from parks and picnics can make a big difference. More than 1,000 birds, lizards, and small mammals come in to our hospital each year after a run-in with a cat. Keeping your cats indoors is another simple change that you can make to help wildlife.
Interesting Facts
Raptors can be a great way to provide natural pest control for rodents. A way to support wildlife in your backyard is to build an owl nest box. This is a much better choice for our environment—and our pets and children—than rodenticides and other poisons.
How can you help?
Lindsay depends on donated produce to help feed our more than 5,000 hospital patients. We receive donations from grocers and food banks that can't give the food to people, but can give the food for our animals. Birds love berries, so if you have any leftovers from your garden, or a "bumper crop" that you can't make into jam in time, we would be happy to take it off your hands.Come visit Lindsay! We are located at 1931 First Avenue in Walnut Creek. With a new exhibit, What's Wild—What's Not, and our adorable new roadrunner, there is lots to see and explore.
Have a local non-profit that you think would be a great fit at Sanctuary Bistro....
Shoot us an email to be considered: Chefbarry@Sanctuarybistro.com, 3-Course meal: $50, Donation of 30% for the non-profit. We also blog about the non-profit and a live interview.