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!
Alex
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.
Gigi
Justin
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.
Petronella
I grew up on a farm in Sweden where my family grew strawberries and kept sheep, Hereford cattle, pigs, and chickens. For a few years, I had a Shetland pony who would only let me ride him bareback. He was one of my best friend.
When one of our sows had given birth, my friend and I would lie underneath the heating lamp in the pig enclosure, so all the baby piglets had to crawl up on us to get to the heat. We spent most of that summer playing with them, sitting in the apple trees and throwing fruit to the growing piglets down below.They were, of course, raised for meat and I became a vegetarian that year.
As an adult, I traveled the world for a couple of years and I met my husband Jeff in the Himalayas, Nepal. I came back with him to California and we bought a home in North Fork. We have two children, one in college and one in high school. I loved raising my kids and was super involved at their schools, but as they grew older, I started looking for something new and meaningful to do.
I have missed having animals in my life and therefore I was so excited when I learned about The Nature of Wildworks. When I visited, it was everything I hoped for: a variety of fantastic animals and plenty of work to be done. It is a gift to work with an organization where I can put everything else aside and be completely present with the animals and work at hand. I also think a practical workout is the best workout, so bring on the horse poop!
Kat
I have always been a lover of nature and animals. It has been a gratifying experience volunteering for Nature of Wildworks. The mission to care for these beautiful creatures and to educate the public is incredibly important to me.
Shaughnassy
I'm Shaughnassy, and I've loved animals my whole life! I've always loved insects, and I hope to become an entomologist someday! I'm here on weekends, and I'm always happy to help wherever I'm needed!
John
I knew I was destined to be a biologist of some species from at least the age of 8. While other kids were out playing on a Saturday, I was at home cleaning the yard for the dog, my aquarium and enclosures for my white rat, mourning dove, ring-neck snake, Flemish giant and Dutch gray rabbits.
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Undergraduate life at UCLA and a PhD in Biology at the University of Arizona so long ago my credential was recorded on papyrus. University lecturer, atrium plantscaper, and then self-employed environmental impact researcher until interest rates skyrocketed. (It
was the raccoon’s fault.)
Hence, the relocation to Oakhurst in 1982 to build the walk-in refrigerator for my parents who owned Old Corral Market on Bass Lake Road. Substitute warden at Green Meadows in Fish Camp where I met my wife of almost 40 years followed by a couple of dozen years teaching in alternative education programs in the Yosemite school district. In retirement tutored math, taught English (and prepared two students to be successful on their citizenship tests) through the Mountain Area Literacy Council, volunteered at the Oakhurst library for seven years and for a year at Ahwahnee SPCA until it went to paid positions, and now I have been at my new home-away-from since May. (But still go home to provide lap space for the three feline rulers of the domicile.)