Virginia Wildlife Education and Outreach Programs
Bring Virginia Wildlife Education to Your Community
Roanoke Wildlife Rescue offers engaging wildlife education programs for schools, homeschool groups, libraries, camps, and community organizations. Participants have the unique opportunity to meet non-releasable native Virginia wildlife while learning about their natural behaviors, habitats, importance to healthy ecosystems, and the challenges they face in the wild.
Led by trained animal handlers, each program provides a safe, respectful learning experience designed to inspire curiosity, understanding, and responsible coexistence with wildlife.
Wildlife Educational Programs That Inspire Stewardship
Our outreach programs can complement Virginia Standards of Learning (SOL) objectives while fostering curiosity and respect for the natural world. Participants learn about:
Virginia’s native wildlife species and their habitats
The role wildlife plays in healthy ecosystems
Common misconceptions about wild animals
The real dangers wildlife faces and how people can help protect them
We customize each program for any age group, subject area, or time frame, making these experiences ideal for schools, homeschool groups, libraries, camps, and community events.
Who Are Our Wildlife Education Programs For?
Programs can be customized for different ages, subjects, and learning goals and are available for:
Schools and classrooms
Homeschool groups and co-ops
Libraries
Summer camps
Scout and youth groups
Community organizations and events
Retirement Communities
Wildlife Program Details
Length: Approximately 45 minutes
Group size: Fewer than 40 participants per session recommended
Sessions: Up to two sessions per day to accommodate larger groups
Program content: Programs customized for age group and subject area
Animals: Non-releasable native Virginia wildlife ambassadors
Program Pricing
Our pricing structure helps support the ongoing care of our education animals:
Local programs:
$200 for one session
$325 for two sessions
Travel outside the local area:
For locations 25 miles or more from Roanoke, we charge an additional $0.75 per mile
Animal Welfare Comes First
The health and well-being of our wildlife ambassadors always come first.
If a group becomes excessively loud or uncooperative, we will end the program to protect the animals.
We ask all participants to remain seated during the presentation to minimize stress.
Most animals are observation-only, allowing participants to learn while respecting natural behaviors.
By participating in our programs, you help promote wildlife conservation, education, and responsible coexistence — while giving students an experience they won’t forget.
Frequently Asked Questions
What animals will we meet?
Programs feature non-releasable native Virginia wildlife ambassadors. Animals may vary based on their health, welfare, and availability.
Where are wildlife education programs available?
We offer programs in Roanoke and surrounding communities, with travel available to locations farther away. Programs 25 miles or more from Roanoke include an additional mileage fee.
How long is each program?
Each wildlife education program lasts approximately 45 minutes.
How many people can attend?
We recommend fewer than 40 participants per session to provide a meaningful experience while minimizing stress on our animals. We can offer up to two sessions per day for larger groups.
How much does a program cost?
Local programs are $200 for one session or $325 for two sessions. Locations 25 miles or more from Roanoke have an additional $0.75-per-mile travel fee.