POWERGRAMS

5 offices in anticipation of bad weather, to caring for more than 1,000 injured and orphaned baby birds in the spring and summer – most requiring hand-feeding every 30 minutes for 16 hours a day, the work seems never-ending. "The care and commitment of the volunteers and staff is extraordinary, and contributes to the center's very high release rate," Adair said. The center holds a volunteer orientation on the first Sunday of each month. From hands-on animal care, to education, carpentry, information technology, event planning and office work, there is something for everyone. "We're very much a volunteer organization and we're always searching for great volunteers," Adair said. "We want to encourage more people to come to the wildlife center to visit us, to find out firsthand what we do and who we are. We're a resource that can take care of injured animals and get them back into the wild where they belong, and we teach people what they can do to help conserve and protect the wildlife resources that we're blessed with. That's what we're all about." To learn how to donate or get involved, visit alabamawildlifecenter.org, call 205-663-7930, or follow AWC on Facebook, Twitter (@ALWildlifeCtr) and Instagram (@alabamawildlifecenter). The AWC is open every day. Admission to the center is free: However, the park has an entrance fee; adults (age 12+) $5; children 6 to 11 $2 (children 5 and under free); and senior citizens 62+ $2. • Bird Patient Admission: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. • Wildlife Help Line: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. (205-663-7930, ext. 2) • Visitors: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Great horned owls and a red-tailed hawk share perch in Freedom Flight mew funded by the Alabama Power Foundation. An injured barred owl being spoon-fed.

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