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From one of Val’s friends and MWR volunteer, Natalie Bright:

“Val was a woman that I deeply loved and admired. Working along side her at MWR, I quickly learned she had a great sense of humor and was a woman of class. Very well respected, and rightfully so.

She always had a way of making me want to be a better person by loving all of God’s creations. When we worked at the hospital together, we would have long talks about her vision and the future of MWR… you know, when we hit the jackpot! Lol. We would laugh, sometimes cry, but mostly enjoyed each other’s company as we shared stories about our families and friends. She loved big, and she was my friend. She would often tell me she loves all her children and daughters-in-law, but if she ever had a daughter, she would want one like me. I would kid with her and tell her that she was just buttering me up to hurry and get that newsletter out!

When Val first got sick, she made sure we made our visits count. She wanted me to know she was going to be okay with what the future held for her. In true Val style, she showed me love and comfort even when she was the one that needed it the most. I will always remember our last prayer together as we held each other’s hands and gave our worries to God. She taught me that.

Every time I see a hawk or an eagle, I immediately am taken back to a place of comfort, knowing she is with me. My friend, Val.”

From one of MWR’s consulting veterinarians, Dr. Harsch:

“I have a pic of Val with a Bald Eagle that got dropped by MS Fish and Wildlife. This was the first eagle I treated with her. She called me, all excited, and I drove down from Memphis to her place to examine the bird. This was very early in our friendship, and I didn’t know Val that much, but I was very impressed the way she handled that massive and aggressive bird. Then I knew she was a special person, and I am glad to have been one of her friends until the very end.

Dr. Stefan Harsch”

Continuing from yesterday’s post, here is another remembrance of our founder, Val. This one is from her long time friend and MWR board member, Karen Brown.

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Crossed Paths

Looking back, I think it was ordained for Val and I to cross paths. Odds were against it, in normal conditions. My husband and I had recently moved to Coldwater, MS on 15 acres in very rural Tate County. There were a few trees on property requiring their removal for safety reasons. Unknown to us, a nest of Flying Squirrels was destroyed in felling one of the trees, resulting in 3 orphaned very young babies. The local veterinarian provided a phone number and name of ‘a lady who dropped by with a business card’ offering to take any wildlife in need of care. Traveling on unfamiliar back roads from Coldwater to Lake Cormorant without GPS was iffy but finally pulled up to Val’s house with the baby squirrels. We met in the driveway, shook hands and I asked her what she was doing and how. I was escorted into her house—past various small animal cages—and down to the basement which was OP Central of her efforts. I was impressed with her obvious caring and ability to minister to these needy bodies. Val explained she was hoping to grow her small rehab to enable more birds and animals to benefit from her knowledge. So, I stayed 2 hours and we began a friendship that would span 27 years until her death. Oh, and I did leave a donation which may have been why she initially liked me… At that point in time, she was doing almost everything herself—I believe there was one person she had trained to care for songbirds. Val needed help.

We began talking regularly and slowly I learned a bit of her history. Prior to moving to Lake Cormorant with her family, she was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis which left her immobilized at times and severely affected her eyesight. Val told me her grandmother was part Indian and passed her love and respect of all living things to her. She shared with me that one of her prayers was to find healing to allow her to care for her family and to rescue needy wildlife. I discovered she had immersed herself in “Rehab Classes” and learning State and Federal requisites and laws to become a legitimate non-profit animal rehabilitation organization. The first few years was a round of bake sales, yard sales, and begging cage materials to feed and care for a growing number of intakes. We were a Board of two for awhile, when Val’s prayers, perseverance, passion and vision came together and real growth began, slowly and steadily. That first grant gave us $2000 to purchase materials for cages to be constructed by scouts and organizations—a great win for the animals and MWR Inc. Rehab. Classes were held to recruit additional trained rehabbers and Board members added for a balanced organization.

Our friendship grew fast and firm almost from day one. Almost-daily talks became interspersed with multiple texts of everyday happenings and soul to soul. Lunches at AC’s in Hernando were a regular occurrence of 2 – 3 hours full of laughter and sometimes tears. Val had a way of making each of us feel we were her most special… and we were. She loved mightily her God, her family and friends, and MWR Inc. and in that order, I believe. I am so very grateful for her friendship and the love we shared, brought about by 3 orphaned flying squirrels. It has been an honor to be associated with Valery Smith through MWR Inc., to watch it grow and become forever friends.

She is missed most exceedingly.

There are many “firsts” in rehab.

The first miracle recovery, the first patient of a species, the first time someone actually wins a literal “wild goose chase.” The first of many releases… and the first of many, many losses.

The first year without someone, the first year of the void where they once were.

Tuesday will mark MWR’s first year without our beloved founder Valery Smith. Val was a true hero for wildlife, a pillar of compassion whose work touched countless lives, both animal and human. Not a single day passes that we do not feel her loss keenly.

Yet even in sorrow, there is joy. As we approach the anniversary of her passing, we wanted to share memories of Val from some of her friends in rescue and conservation. If you were blessed enough to know her, we hope you find a piece of the joy she gave to you in these pictures and stories. And if you never had the chance to meet her, may you get a sense of who she was, and how deeply she loved.

From long time volunteer and educator, Kate Friedman:

Val and I were very close friends for almost 20 years. We talked almost every day and I always looked forward to seeing her name on my caller ID.

I first met her in passing a few times during the late 90’s. We later became close friends when I started working at Strawberry Plains Audubon Center in 2005. MWR was one of the top exhibitors in Audubon’s annual Hummingbird Festival. The first weekend we met, Val and I started talking about training her education birds. She was so eager to learn, and she already had the patience and ability to read a bird’s body language. She picked it up very quickly!

For years afterwards, I would help MWR with their booth at the Hummingbird Festival. Val would rent a cabin at Wall Doxey State Park for the weekend. Each day after the festival, we returned to the cabin and got all of our birds fed, watered and secured for the night. Then we would heat up something in the microwave and open a bottle of red wine. We stayed up late talking about birds and bird care. We shared stories about our past—some sad, and some happy. We shared hopes for our future, often tossing around ideas for the ARK nature center. Sometimes we talked for hours until we realized we really needed to get some sleep!

The last time I saw Val was a few days before she passed. I was traveling out of the country the next day, and sadly, we both knew that she would pass before I returned.

It was hard. We hugged. We laughed. We cried. We laughed and cried and hugged some more. Before I left her side, I told her that the MWR Board and I would carry on her vision for a nature center and wildlife hospital. She squeezed my hand, gave me a wink and a big smile and said, “I know you will.”

The month of March allowed us to catch our Rehab breath as we prepared for the upcoming baby bird season, our busiest time of year. Now through early summer eggs will be hatching and new birds will be emerging from their nests. Some will require human intervention, but many are just going through the natural process of learning to fly. In most cases the parent birds are the best suited to care for their young. Before you take up a baby bird you thinks needs help, please check out this useful information.

As the month came to a close, MWR was able to successfully re-nest 2 baby owls that were found on the ground, and we are anticipating being able to re-nest a third baby owl in the near future. Learn more here.

Spring is the perfect time to enjoy our ARK trails and check out the new Bee Hotel donated to MWR by Logan May as part of his Eagle Scout project.

Patient Update:

This month we admitted 13 new patients into care representing 11 different bird species.

Sponsor Thank You:

A big Thank You to the following people who answered the call to sponsor our rehab patients through Sponsorship Sunday this month.

• Jeff Leathers
• Lisa O’Connor
• Jordan Gatlin
• Christy Milbourne
• Jackie Williams
• Erika Hastings
• Theresa Hissong

Your gift is life-giving for these animals. Keep an eye out for upcoming Sponsorship Sunday opportunities.

Program update:

MWR started the month participating in the Cub Scout Spring Fest at Camp Currier. Scouts got to meet education ambassadors Mochni, Hulk and Hazelnut, hear their stories and learn simple ways they can help our native wildlife. MWR loves to support our local scout programs.

At Part 1 of our Backyard Wildlife Habitat series, a capacity crowd learned how to provide shelter as one io the essential elements of turning their own yard into a healthy natural habitat for native wildlife. Each participant was able to build a beautiful cedar blue bird house to take home. Part 2 of this series is coming April 20.

MWR was a fan favorite at TupeloCon where we were able to share our mission and vision with so many enthusiastic people. Everyone especially enjoyed meeting our animal ambassadors and having their photos taken with them. Keep an eye out for MWR at future festivals and events.

Looking Ahead:

Summer is rapidly approaching, and we still have room in our Wildlife (June 24-28) and Nature Art (July 8-12) summer camps and we have REDUCED THE PRICE for each camp to $200. Plus, there is still time to apply for one of the Valery E smith memorial camp scholarships that will cover the full cost of the camp. Learn more at: https://www.mswildliferehab.org/events/

Part 2 of our Backyard Habitat Workshop series is Saturday April 20 at 10am. Learn how to provide food for native wildlife using native plants. We are excited to have Camp Creek Natives plant nursery sponsoring this workshop. Each registered participant will take home a custom native seed pack and select native seedlings to plant in your own garden. You can register for this workshop at: https://www.mswildliferehab.org/events/backyard-wildlife-habitat-workshop/

You can also visit MWR April 20^th from 9a-1p at the Desoto County Earth Day Festival located at the historic Desoto County Courthouse square in Hernando.

MWR is partnering with Jill Morris of Stars in Motion and offering a 3-week Yoga at the ARK program in the peaceful forest setting at our ARK Trails. This program starts on Friday April 26 at 8:30am. To register or learn more visit:

Other upcoming programs include:

Nature Photography Workshop with Melissa Gilbert, May 26.

and

The first annual MWR Golf Tournament, June 07. For team registration and sponsorship opportunities, go here.

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 appreciate one of our volunteers with a spotlight post.

Meet Stephanie Brock Allen,

Stephanie has volunteered with MWR since April 2022.

As a newcomer to the area with equestrian experience and a love of animals she applied as a volunteer and met with Wildlife Director Stephanie Hogan and late founder Valery Smith. It was an instant fit, and she began working with songbirds. Since then, she has learned to care for and handle our education birds as well. Stephanie also helps with events, birthday parties, administrative needs, maintenance projects, fundraising…………………………… Yep pretty much everything.

Stephanie says the reason she volunteers is, “I think as stewards of this earth we all have a responsibility to do good whenever we can. It is so rewarding when an injured bird that has been in our care recovers and can be released”.

Fun Fact: Stephanie has developed a strong bond with “Cornelius” the corn snake. She shared that most of here family thinks she is a little crazy to be so enamored with a snake but can’t help it because “he’s my main squeeze”.

Thank you, Stephanie, for all you do for 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 this application 

https://www.mswildliferehab.org/files/MWR-Volunteer-Registration-Form.pdf

and submit to volunteer@mswildliferehab.org  

February saw a slowdown in our patient intake, but MWR was still busy providing conservation and environmental education programs. Thanks to the hard work of local community members and MWR volunteers and board members we were able to open the closed sections of the ARK trails to the public. We encourage everyone to enjoy the early signs of spring on all 2 miles of our ARK trails.

MWR was invited to participate in the Horn Lake High School student career program. Executive Director, Mykl Wallrath, and Wildlife Director, Stephanie Hogan, were interviewed for their YouTube channel providing inspiration and useful advice for students interested in wildlife conservation and rehabilitation careers

Patient Update:
This month we admitted 12 new patients into care including 10 birds, 1 snake and 1 turtle.

Sponsor Thank You:
A big Thank You to the following people who answered the call to sponsor our rehab patients through
Sponsorship Sunday this month.

• Jeff Leathers
• Lisa O’Connor
• Penny Gallenbeck
• Tammy Hill
• Marsha Klimetz

Your gift is life-giving for these animals. Keep an eye out for upcoming Sponsorship Sunday
opportunities.

Program update:
MWR supported the US Army Corps of Engineers’ week long Environmental Stewardship training program, providing a tour of our wildlife hospital to 40 staff members from all over the country. One person came all the way from Hawaii. The highlight of the day was getting to meet our ambassador education birds. Black vulture Vinny was especially a crowd pleaser. MWR is so grateful for the valued partnership we have with the USACE.

Kids and adults alike were fascinated to learn all about Isopods in our February workshop. Thank you MWR volunteer Natalie Rodgers for sharing your knowledge and personal collection of amazing isopods. Participants got to set up their very own mini habitat and select from a variety of isopods species to take home and raise. See more at MWR’s Facebook post.

Looking Ahead:
There are still spaces left to register for our upcoming Wildlife Summer Camp and Nature Art Summer camp. And we are taking applications for 2 full scholarships to each camp in memory of our founder Valery Smith.

Part 1 of our Backyard Habitat Workshop series is this coming Saturday 3/9 at 10am. Learn how to provide shelter for native wildlife and build a bluebird house to take home. There is still time to register for this workshop.

Learn more about these great programs at our MWR events page.

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 Penny Gallenbeck,

Penny Gallenbeck

Penny has volunteered with MWR since March 2022.  She began volunteering because of her love for birds of prey and falconry. 

She helps in almost every area of the organization.  As a registered nurse Penny assists with wildlife treatment and rehabilitation as well as collecting and transporting injured patients.  She also helps with MWR educations programs and fundraising events.  And she trains and cares for our education ambassador birds, having formed a special bond with Mochni the Red Shouldered Hawk.  She especially enjoys providing enrichment for our education birds and learning more about wildlife rehabilitation. 

​

Fun Fact:  Penny was an avid skier/ bare foot skier most of her adult life.  She chose a ski boat over an engagement ring and says “I’ve never regretted that decision”

Thank you Penny for all you do for 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 this application 

https://www.mswildliferehab.org/files/MWR-Volunteer-Registration-Form.pdf

and submit to volunteer@mswildliferehab.org  

January brought ice, snow and frigid cold but that did not slow down MWR as we had another great month. We welcomed two new members, Alan Parks and Dane Chamberlin, to our Board of Directors. Learn more about Alan and Dane.

Recent changes to the Federal Animal Welfare Act now require facilities keeping birds to obtain a USDA license by February 21, 2024. Consequently, MWR had our first USDA compliance inspection this month. We are happy to share that our inspector was very impressed and complimentary of our operations resulting in an immediate approval of our new USDA license.

Patient Update
This month we admitted 17 new birds into care representing 11 different species. In 2023 we cared for 549
patients of more than 70 species.

Sponsor Thank You
A big Thank You to the following people who answered the call to sponsor our rehab patients through
Sponsorship Sunday this month.

• Dana Young Alvarez
• Lauren Harry
• Amber Lovell
• Chris Williams
• Lana Taylor
• Starlit Byrd Tomlinson
• Jeff Leathers
• Lisa O’Connor

Your gift is life-giving for these animals. Keep an eye out for upcoming Sponsorship Sunday
opportunities.

Program Update
On a chilly sunrise Wildlife Director, Stephanie Hogan, and volunteer, Penny Gallenbeck supported the
US Army Corps of Engineers at Arkabulta Lake with their annual Eagle Watch program. 12 determined attendees shrugged off the cold to catch a glimpse of our resident eagles and got to meet MWR animal
ambassadors Mochni the Red-shouldered hawk and Rufous the Eastern Screech owl. We are so thankful
for the partnership we have with the USACE.

At our Bioactive Terrarium Workshop, we learned about the delicate balance between living and non-
living elements in a natural system. Then everyone created their very own mini-ecosystem terrarium
complete with springtails and isopods.

MWR had a great 2 days at the Aces Exotic Pet Expo where our volunteers and animal ambassadors
connected with hundreds of people sharing our mission and inspiring them to support wildlife
conservation, education, and rehabilitation. A special thank you to volunteer Natalie Rodgers for
organizing this event for MWR.

Looking Ahead
MWR has announced our Wildlife Summer Camp and Nature Art Summer camp and are offering 2 full
scholarships to each camp in memory of our founder Valery Smith. We have also introduced a 3-part
Backyard Wildlife Habitat workshop series. And it is not too late to register for our Keeping Isopods
workshop on February 17. Not sure what an Isopod is? You will after you attend this workshop. Learn
more about these great programs at our MWR Events page.

February is often referred to as the month of love and if you are short of a Valentine to show some love to you have no need to worry. Mississippi Wildlife Rehabilitation, Inc. has got you covered. You can show some love to these sweethearts of ours with a $10.00 donation to go towards their care. If someone has done you wrong, you can secretly gloat how you had a mouse named after your ex fed to one of our education birds or snake. Or if love has you smitten, you can spread the love through your Valentine donation to the care of our education ambassadors.

Please donate HERE.