Give Our Future Wings Ohio Bird Sanctuary
Give Our Future Wings Ohio Bird Sanctuary Visitor Center Renovation Project
Give Our Future Wings The Ohio Bird Sanctuary offers the community and visitors to Richland County an up-close encounter with wildlife, environmental education programming and professional care for injured and orphan birds. In 2000, the Sanctuary employed one staff member, provided care for 8 educational birds and 75 rehab birds, and hosted 500 visitors a year. Currently, the Sanctuary s operations are run by 5 staff members, provides care for 48 educational birds and 265 rehab birds, hosts 10 weeks of camp and over 25,000 visitors a year. The Sanctuary recently purchase 38 acres to expand the nature preserve. A large building previously used as a scout camp dining hall is located on the new acreage. This building has the potential to serve as an educational building and a scenic venue for weddings, reunions and corporate retreats. Give Our Future Wings. Help us raise $300,000 for the renovation of this building. This building will serve the Sanctuary's growing needs, expand and improve its education and rehabilitation services, and create an opportunity for sustainability.
Why Why This Expansion? Why Now? Visitor Center The Sanctuary utilizes one 2,500 square foot building for administration, bird care, visitors center and classroom space. Renovating the upper building into a visitor center and classroom space will allow the Sanctuary to serve its growing programming needs by separating the bird care from the educational classroom and public use space. Tourism The Sanctuary s ability to serve coach tours and large audiences is currently limited. The renovation of the upper building will provide a large interior presentation space, additional restroom facilities and suitable parking for public events and buses. Community Resource The renovation of the dining hall into a suitable rental space will provide a one-of-a-kind outdoor scenic venue in Richland county. The Sanctuary offers an environment that is pristine and family friendly. Accessibility The new educational building will have restroom facilities that better serve individuals in wheelchairs. The large presentation space and classroom will also better accommodate this population. A walkway will be constructed through the front meadow that will connect with the existing brick walkway to make the cage displays, amphitheater and aviary accessible.
Sustainability Sustainability The Sanctuary annually requires $25,000 in additional income from private and corporate donations to cover operational costs. First Phase The Sanctuary can reduce its dependence on public and private donations and increase sustainability through rental income. The renovated building will have a catering kitchen, seating for over 300 people, ADA approved rest room facilities, and parking for 100 vehicles. It will be provide a serene, scenic venue for weddings, reunions and corporate retreats. Second Phase The Sanctuary is currently doing a feasibility study to install an interpretive zip line tour. The zip line will traverse the tree tops to platforms. At each platform a staff member of the Sanctuary will have an education bird native to that environment and give a short presentation about the habitat and species that live there. A portion of the tour will be adapted to serve children and individuals with disabilities.
Renovation Objectives Renovation Objectives Phase I: Winterize and install heating system Install handicapped accessible bathrooms Install warming kitchen and office space Phase II: Construct classroom space Upgrade acoustics in presentation area. Parking area and connector walkway Current Facility 2,500 square feet Visitors center, gift shop, bird care, administration and classroom 2 restrooms Presentation space 750 square feet Seating space for 35 Parking for 20 cars New Facility 6,570 square feet Administration, classroom, presentation/ banquet space, warming kitchen and gift shop. 6 restrooms Presentation space 3,285 square feet Large audience seating area for 300 people Parking for 100 cars and turn around for buses. Bird care isolated to lower building.
Budget Campaign Goal $300,000 Stage One Plumbing and fixtures $21,500 Electric and fixtures $32,500 Furnace for kitchen/restroom area $ 5,650 Restroom construction $21,500 Kitchen construction $18,500 Insulation and door replacement $ 7,500 Heating and cooling main area $17,750 Flooring for main area: $17,000 Permits and Fees: $11,250 Total $153,150 Stage Two Parking & Driveway $80,000 Classroom construction $15,000 Furnace for classroom $ 5,850 Walkway/accessibility upgrades $22,000 Office & storage space $ 8,000 Stone facing on entrance $ 6,000 AC for kitchen & restrooms $ 2,850 AC for classroom $ 3,150 Fireplace repair $ 4,000 Total $146,850
Timeline Campaign Timelines Goals Major Gifts June-Sept 2012 Wrap-up Campaign Oct Nov Begin Renovations March 2013 (Start of Stage One renovations based on 50% of goal achieved. Start of Stage Two dependent on receiving 100% of goal.)
Our Mission and History Our Mission and History The mission of the Ohio Bird Sanctuary is to preserve the biodiversity of Ohio through education, rehabilitation, and stewardship. The Sanctuary strives to fulfill the mission through the pursuit of three main goals: 1) Inspire individuals to be good stewards of the natural environment. 2) Create an opportunity for all people to experience the wonders of nature. 3) Provide humane and professional care for Ohio s native bird species. The Ohio Bird Sanctuary was founded in 1988, by Director Gail Laux. The Sanctuary was originally operated from the private farm of the Laux s. The Sanctuary outgrew the farm site and located an ideal piece of property in 1995 at the site of Boy Scout Camp Avery Hand. The Sanctuary leased 52 acres of the camp. Through public, private and foundation support the Sanctuary developed a public facility that opened the summer of 1999. The Ohio Bird Sanctuary purchased the 52 acres in 2009. In 2010 the Sanctuary purchased an additional 38 acres of valuable habitat upon the Scout council s decision to liquidate the camp. The development of the public facility occurred in stages. 1996-98 the board of trustees and volunteers created a trail system and conducted fund-raisers to renovate an existing building and construct a parking lot. This first phase opened the doors of the Sanctuary for summer camps and special events. In 1999 a visitors center was constructed with an interpretive lobby, resource library, classroom, receiving area for sick and injured birds, office space, and an outdoor display area for live birds. 2000-2003 A brick walkway, boardwalk and songbird aviary were constructed to make the facility accessible to all individuals. 2007-2010 A bird care area and additional display cages were constructed to house expanding collection.
Programs and Services Programs and Services Education is the cornerstone of the Sanctuary s mission. Outdoor Recreation and Education: The Sanctuary is open to the public year-round and is free admission. School Programs: The Sanctuary provides educational programs to over 20,000 school children throughout Ohio and in-school visits and fieldtrips at the 90 acres preserve. Public Programming: The Sanctuary offers weekend and seasonal programs to the general public such as: Bird Encounters, Creatures of the Night, Story time in the Nest, Christmas for the Birds, Fall Wildlife Festival, Owl Calling, Eggs-travaganza, Mohican Wildlife Weekend and Breeding Bird Surveys. Day Camps: Day camps are offered year-round to youth 6 to 12 years old. Wildlife Rehabilitation: The Sanctuary provides humane and professional care to injured and displaced birds. Bird care is staffed by a full time Bird Care coordinator, part-time veterinary technician, interns, and volunteers. The birds receive professional veterinary care through the services of Hull Veterinary Hospital.
Commemorative Opportunities Commemorative Opportunities In gratitude of your support the Sanctuary is offering a variety of naming opportunities. Leadership Gifts Classroom $25,000 Auditorium $30,000 Major Gifts are recognized through a plaque in the visitors center and by an engraved brick or paver in the brick walkway. Eagle $15,000 16 paver with art work Falcon $5,000 8 paver with artwork Owl $3,000 8 inch paver Cardinal $1,000 brick
Pledge Form Pledge Form I would like to make a leadership gift and receive the naming opportunity for the: Auditorium $30,000 Classroom $25,000 I would like to make a major gift. Eagle $15,000 Falcon $5,000 Owl $3,000 Cardinal $1,000 I would like to make my contribution as a one time gift of. I would like to make my contribution as a three year pledge of $ /year. Name as it should read on plaque or paver: Donor s Name: Address: City State Zip Phone Make checks payable to: Ohio Bird Sanctuary 3774 Orweiler Road Mansfield Ohio 44903
Financial Support Financial Support to Date $300,000 $275,000 $250,000 $175,000 $150,000 $200,000 $100,000 $75,000 $50,000