April 25, 2025
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Oaken Acres receives funding for educational programs

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Thanks to the Horizons Unlimited Foundation, the DeKalb County Community Foundation and the Wanda Muntwyler Foundation, Oaken Acres Wildlife Center is able to bring their birds of prey to a variety of events and presentations. Pictured (from left) are Amilee Maher with Vinnie the vulture, Sarah Schwartz with Muggs the great-horned owl, and Nancy Kasinski with Hamlet the barred owl. (Photo provided)

How much does it cost each year to feed a great-horned owl? How about a turkey vulture?

Oaken Acres Wildlife Center has seven permanent resident education ambassadors that need their own cages, training and food all year round. It costs nearly $7,000 just for their food, housing and training.

In order for Oaken Acres to provide educational programs to the community, special funding is needed for this program and thanks to local foundations, most of those funds have been secured.

Horizons Unlimited provided staff members the ability to attend the annual National Wildlife Rehabilitators Association conference this year in Virginia. They attended numerous presentations on using birds of prey for education and had some one-on-one training with one of the most respected education bird trainers in the United States.

The DeKalb County Community Foundation helped fund the year-round expenses for keeping the birds healthy and happy.

The Wanda Muntwyler Foundation also has supported the educational program for several years.

Oaken Acres is grateful to these local donors for their support. Those interested in donating to the program can send a check to Oaken Acres at 12140 Aldrich Road, Sycamore, IL 60178 or call the center at 815-895-9666.