About
Wildmind Educational Programs offers school assembly programs that feature non-releasable animals as “wild teachers,” along with science programs, summer programs, and at-risk youth programs. Programs can include science units, school and community assemblies, and corporate programs that involve direct work with animals and their care. Activities for participants and volunteers can include upgrading wildlife habitats and enclosures, gardening, painting, cleaning, helping prepare daily meals for the animals, cleaning and maintaining enclosures, landscaping, and making enrichment toys for the animals.
Wildmind Educational Programs was founded in 1980 by environmental educator Steve Karlin and was previously known as Wildlife Associates. The organization is part of Conservation Earth, Inc., which is described as a nationally recognized non-profit conservation education organization that has educated over 8 million students since 1980. For more than 40 years, Wildmind has offered school assembly programs featuring non-releasable animals as wild teachers and has expanded its programs to include curricula for teachers, corporate events, and outreach to at-risk youth.
Wildmind’s mission is to provide lifelong, quality care for non-releasable wild animals and to work with them as teachers in innovative programs that engage, enrich, inspire, and empower people of all ages to become conservation stewards and leaders. The sanctuary is home to over 50 non-releasable wild animals that have found refuge there for over 38 years, including animals that have been injured, displaced, abandoned, born in captivity, or confiscated when kept illegally as pets. Programs use an interactive, whole-brain educational model in which the animals themselves are the teachers, and the stories of these animal ambassadors connect wildlife and conservation education with empathy.
The organization partners with 10 youth agencies to offer at-risk youth programs that are described as transformative and that give youth a place to heal and re-imagine their lives. These at-risk youth programs teach trust, empathy, and compassion for wild animals, for peers, and for themselves. Corporations bring groups of employees for corporate volunteer days that combine teambuilding with service activities such as habitat upgrades and animal care tasks, which have positive effects on the animals’ lives.
Wildmind is staffed by a dedicated team of expert wildlife handlers, educators, and office staff. Founder Steve Karlin is a former National Park Service ranger, a renowned environmental educator, and an award-winning environmental reporter. Over time, Wildmind has established itself nationally as one of the leaders in educating youth about the living world and provides nationally acclaimed wildlife education programs.
The organization describes itself as a close-knit community of friends, volunteers, donors, and staff. Teen volunteers may become mentors for younger volunteers after being part of the program for a significant period of time. One teen volunteer, Janelle, shared, “I was hoping to gain some experience working with animals. Along the way I learned so much about animals and a lot about myself.”
Last updated April 16, 2026.
Wildmind Educational Programs was founded in 1980 by environmental educator Steve Karlin and was previously known as Wildlife Associates. The organization is part of Conservation Earth, Inc., which is described as a nationally recognized non-profit conservation education organization that has educated over 8 million students since 1980. For more than 40 years, Wildmind has offered school assembly programs featuring non-releasable animals as wild teachers and has expanded its programs to include curricula for teachers, corporate events, and outreach to at-risk youth.
Wildmind’s mission is to provide lifelong, quality care for non-releasable wild animals and to work with them as teachers in innovative programs that engage, enrich, inspire, and empower people of all ages to become conservation stewards and leaders. The sanctuary is home to over 50 non-releasable wild animals that have found refuge there for over 38 years, including animals that have been injured, displaced, abandoned, born in captivity, or confiscated when kept illegally as pets. Programs use an interactive, whole-brain educational model in which the animals themselves are the teachers, and the stories of these animal ambassadors connect wildlife and conservation education with empathy.
The organization partners with 10 youth agencies to offer at-risk youth programs that are described as transformative and that give youth a place to heal and re-imagine their lives. These at-risk youth programs teach trust, empathy, and compassion for wild animals, for peers, and for themselves. Corporations bring groups of employees for corporate volunteer days that combine teambuilding with service activities such as habitat upgrades and animal care tasks, which have positive effects on the animals’ lives.
Wildmind is staffed by a dedicated team of expert wildlife handlers, educators, and office staff. Founder Steve Karlin is a former National Park Service ranger, a renowned environmental educator, and an award-winning environmental reporter. Over time, Wildmind has established itself nationally as one of the leaders in educating youth about the living world and provides nationally acclaimed wildlife education programs.
The organization describes itself as a close-knit community of friends, volunteers, donors, and staff. Teen volunteers may become mentors for younger volunteers after being part of the program for a significant period of time. One teen volunteer, Janelle, shared, “I was hoping to gain some experience working with animals. Along the way I learned so much about animals and a lot about myself.”
Last updated April 16, 2026.
Is this your business? There is no cost, but you will be asked to sign up or log in.