All posts by : mwr-admin

Volunteers are the hands, feet and heart that power the MWR mission. We cannot exist
without their generous contributions of time and talent. So each month we will be
appreciating one of our volunteers with a spotlight post.

Meet Charlie Crews,

Charlie began volunteering with MWR on October 31, 2013. As a longtime wildlife
enthusiast, Charlie found MWR on the internet and it peeked his interest as an
organization he would enjoy working with. And we are so glad that he did.
As one of our longest serving volunteers, Charlie has helped to build and maintain
animal enclosures and was part of the team that renovated the current wildlife hospital
at Arkabutla Lake. He even encouraged Home Depot to support the renovation. He
continues to help MWR with education programs, rehab rescues and releases.

Fun Fact:
Charlie shared that one of his most memorable experiences with MWR was “when we
got a call about a chicken running in traffic on Goodman Road, we were having to stop
traffic to try and get it and people were laughing at seeing us chase a chicken all over
Goodman road.”

Thank you, Charlie for your many years of dedicated service to MWR.

MWR is currently in need of dedicated volunteers to help in the following areas:

• Social media coordinator
• Wildlife Rehabilitation/ Animal care
• Baby Bird Brigade (Spring and Summer)
• Education programs
• Rehab patient transport

If you are interested in volunteering with MWR please complete the application form and submit to volunteer@mswildliferehab.org

Congratulations to MWR Wildlife Director, Stephanie Hogan, for her recent renewal as a Certified Wildlife Rehabilitator. This rigorous certification, administered by the International Wildlife Rehabilitation Council, recognizes rehabilitators who achieve the highest standard of wildlife care through academic excellence.

Stephanie first achieved this designation in 2021 and is the only IWRC Certified Wildlife Rehabilitator in the State of Mississippi. Renewal is required every two years and involves completion of approved continuing education courses in the wildlife rehabilitation field.

Stephanie was personally chosen by MWR Founder Valery Smith as her successor for the Wildlife Director position. We are proud and honored to have Stephanie leading our daily wildlife rehabilitation program.

The Board of Directors of Mississippi Wildlife Rehabilitation, Inc is pleased to announce the hiring of our new Executive Director, Mykl Wallrath.

Mykl brings a wealth of professional experience from all over the United States in leading environmental conservation and education. He was brought in to advance the mission of MWR and to lead the effort to build a state of the art Nature Center and the Valery Smith Wildlife Hospital.

“Valery Elizabeth Smith dedicated her life to saving thousands of animals and inspiring our community to protect wildlife,” says Mykl. “It is my honor to carry on her mission of caring for wildlife, inspiring our community, and leading MWR to accomplish her goals of a wildlife hospital, nature center, and flight cage.”

Please join us in welcoming Mykl to the MWR team!

Respectfully,

The MWR Board of Directors

• Wayne Spell
• Karen Brown
• Kate Friedman
• Donnie Chambliss
• Russ Kicker
• Brett Hogan

Thank you to Mark Randall at Desoto Times Tribune for the great article!