Our Volunteers
Rosemarie
Most people have been with their animal friends for years. My journey to becoming a volunteer with Wildworks is far from normal. As a young child, I learned I was allergic to all those fun warm blooded animals out there: dogs, rabbits, cats, horses and probably the ferrets!
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Growing up and as an adult, my companions have included fish, turtles, hermit crabs, two budgies and a conure parrot. I have vicariously reveled in helping family and neighbors pet-sit their horses, dogs and cats.
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When I heard that Wildworks was in search of volunteers, I jumped at the chance. I’ve always loved the largest cat in California the mountain lion; birds of all kinds; gopher snakes and the cute prickly hedgehog. I was delighted to learn that most of these animals — with more to come — were happily living in Coarsegold.
Karl
My love of animals started in Southern California with my canine best friends, then expanding to include cats and an iguana during six years in North Carolina. Over the last 20+ years I’ve lived in Coarsegold, raising chickens, fainting goats (they’re great!), dogs, cats, bunnies, a chinchilla, and my incredible animal-loving daughters. And now I have the good fortune to work with amazing animals (and wonderful humans) at The Nature of Wildworks. As a researcher on the processes of the mind and behavior, I’m fascinated by Wildworks' animal training techniques and the depth of intelligence of my animal friends. Knowing the value of gratitude practice, I regularly reflect on how grateful I am to be a member of the volunteer team and help care for a wide array of happy, loved animals.
Chris
Animals have always been a great interest of mine. Always enjoyed camping and backpacking and trying to see wildlife in their natural environment. I worked ten seasons with the USDA Forest Service and three with the CA Department of Fish and Wildlife. I got to work in campgrounds, programs to radio collar and monitor deer in Northern California, worked in a fish hatchery, and worked at a state wildlife area. I couldn't get a year-round job so I worked for a campground concessionare, mutual water system, private water system, and finally for Madera County in utilities.
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I volunteered for many years at the Santa Rosa Bird Rescue Center and then for a long time didn't live close enough to any wildlife rescue, rehabilitation, or education centers. I was very excited when The Nature of Wildworks came to Coarsegold and am now very happy to be volunteering every week. I enjoy all of the animals- hate to say any favorites, but I have to admit I'm leaning towards bobcats.
Michelle
I am a mom, animal lover and realtor. I grew up in Oakhurst, and actually my first job was at the local veterinary office in town. After graduating high school I moved around for a few years. Throughout the places I have lived, I have always found a home volunteering or working for different animal organizations.
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After settling in Visalia, CA -I spent 10 or more years with the Valley Oak SPCA, as a board member and volunteer. When my son came along, it was necessary for a break from all, as he consumed most of my time. In later years, when free time opened for me- I was ready to go back to do volunteer work with animals. I wanted to try something different than dogs and cats, but not sure what. One day I was reading the Coarsegold chamber of commerce newsletter. They wrote - The Nature of Wildworks had moved to Coarsegold. Hmm - I miss the mountains and thought this could be a good place for me to fill my need. I checked it out, and this has become my new home.
I have fallen in love with the animals, and look forward to my day there each week.
Sally
A lifelong California resident, Sally grew up in the Berkeley area but always longed to live in the country. That desire was satisfied 20 years ago when she moved to O’Neals. She has two horses and a cat. She joined Fresno Wildlife in 2016 and raised a deer, Dandy, until she was able to be released deep in the Oakhurst foothills. Dandy was with Sally for a year. She also supported the group by helping with some birds and a beaver. Due to the distance, it became less convenient to go to Fresno and Clovis for activities, so The Nature of Wildworks appeared at just the right time to allow transition from one organization to another. She also will be volunteering at the Ahwahnee SPCA when it opens to help out with the dogs and cats while they wait to find their forever homes. She likes to keep busy!
Kevin
My love for nature, be it on the coast or in the mountains has always been a force that I feel connected to. The beauty of nature gives me peace and contentment and an acknowledgment that while on this earth, we should strive to protect it. Moving to Coarsegold 26 years ago has been a great experience. Our children participated in 4H and FFA, thus we raised pigs, sheep and turkeys on the property. We also raised three emus that had needed homes. Those projects have long been gone, but not the wildlife that we are blessed with living here that we see daily. I retired in 2020 and always remained busy and in 2023, I discovered The Nature of Wildworks. I jumped at the opportunity to volunteer there. Since my arrival at Wildworks, I have been involved in relocating enclosures, building new enclosures and building climbing structures for the animals housed there. I love the fact that Wildworks does not settle for the minimum size of enclosure, but provides a much more extensive enclosure. It gives me great joy in seeing these animals that cannot be returned to the wild, thrive in their forever home.
Audrey
Hello. My name is Audrey Johnson and I have lived with my dog and cat in Coarsegold for the last 4 years. Before that I had a ranch on the coast with my husband and son. We had dogs, cats, fish, birds, chickens, rabbits, and even a peahen. As you can guess, I love all animals. Many years ago I worked for a wildlife education and rehab center. I loved it! I had to quit when I hurt by back so I was very excited when The Nature of Wildworks moved to Coarsegold a couple years ago. The people here are great and all love animals as much as I do. Can you tell what one of my favorite animals is? This is Stella and she loves to hang out and play with her friends.
Vicki
I have lived over half my life in Cali. My husband and I bought a home up in YLP 4 years ago, came from Fresno. Did not want to own in the big city. It's a halfway point from the mountains, as my husband still commutes to Fresno. I am retired for the most part, except for a side business I've had for 9+ yrs.
We love living up here and we love animals. We had 5 cats at one point, (called crazy cat lady). However living in the foothills is quite different from city life. We love all animals give great pleasure in spoiling them. So for me, working at Wildworks is very rewarding. I think about these wonderful domesticated/injured animals that have a forever home to live their lives out in comfort gives me peace. I am very proud to be a part of that process and highly commend Molly, Meagan and Nicole for their dedication to Wildworks!
Ron and Brenda
My husband Ron and I learned about nature of Wildworks thru our dog groomer Samantha. We went to learn about it and fell in love with the animals, birds, reptiles and especially Bobby the bobcat. We love feeding them and doing other chores to make the facility run smoothly and assist the staff. We’ve made a lot of wonderful friends who work and volunteer as well. It’s so wonderful to see the ladies who run it, show their love and commitment to taking care of all the animals who will live their best lives here.
Pam
Eden
Diana
Richard
I grew up as a baby with my Boxer Buddy Duke. He was always by my side. I loved and rode horses from an early age. Some of my favorite memories are of riding into the Marble Mountain Wilderness on my Arabian horse Titan for 7-8 days. I have always been around the water and boats and was a USCG Licensed 200 Ton All Ocean Master when I retired. As a Captain, I shared my love of the Sea and its inhabitants with at-risk, low-income kids and also children with life-threatening diseases. I did this with a Non-Profit named the Pegasus Project out of Berkeley and later founded my own Non-Profit named Spirit of the Sea. I would take 20-30 children and some adults out into San Francisco Bay where they would see porpoises and sometimes whales and many kinds of birds and sea life. We taught them about Ocean Literacy - how what we do on land affects the Sea and all that lives in it and how the Ocean supports our being able to live (produces much of our Oxygen) We had gang members picking up cigarettes from Oakland streets so they would not be washed into “their” bay. When I retired and moved to the mountains, I was looking for somewhere to volunteer. I met Meagan at the Post Office and she shared with me all about the Nature of Wild Works. WE set up a time for me to come and it was complete Love at First Sight !! I just love caring for the wonderful animals there and learning about them. Being able to be so close to magnificent wild animals and birds is incredible. Mollie, Meagan, and Nicole are such wonderful, knowledgeable teachers. It’s been a couple of years now and I still look forward to coming there every time. Come join us or donate to help.
Rachel
