Lake Erie Nature & Science Center names new wildlife director

Amy LeMonds was recently named the new director of wildlife at Lake Erie Nature & Science Center.

Lake Erie Nature & Science Center has announced that Amy LeMonds is the nonprofit organization’s new Director of Wildlife.

“Amy’s proven wildlife rehabilitation expertise and clear vision for the Center’s wildlife program point to an exciting future for our visitors, partners, programs and animals,” said Catherine Timko, Executive Director. “In a national search Amy stood out for the breadth of her hands-on wildlife experience, demonstrated leadership skills and credentials in her field.”

A Bay High School graduate, LeMonds earned a biology degree from Baldwin Wallace University and gained valuable experience at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo and Crossroads Animal Hospital before joining the Center as a wildlife rehabilitation specialist in 2005.

In her eight years with the Center, she established relationships with the board of directors of the Ohio Wildlife Rehabilitation Association; increased the Center’s educational outreach by directing programs for animal control officers, park rangers and veterinary technicians; and trained many of the Center’s wildlife staff and volunteers. In 2011, she was the first wildlife rehabilitation professional in Ohio to achieve certification from the International Wildlife Rehabilitation Council.

As Director of Wildlife, LeMonds will direct the organization’s entire wildlife program – caring for resident animals, coordinating the rehabilitation program and supervising staff and volunteers – and further developing the Center’s educational and outreach activities.

Lake Erie Nature & Science Center has been performing wildlife rehabilitation at no charge to the public since 1945. In 2012, more than 1,200 injured or ill wild animals were brought to the Center for examination and 908 were admitted into the rehabilitation program. Wildlife rehabilitation specialists are available to answer questions from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily by calling 440-871-2900. After hours questions can be left on the 24-hour voicemail.

Kathleen Shields

Kathleen Shields is the Media Relations Specialist at Lake Erie Nature & Science Center in Bay Village.

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Volume 5, Issue 11, Posted 9:50 AM, 05.29.2013