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African Safari Wildlife Park donates to local conservation efforts ahead of Earth Day

African Safari Wildlife Park donates to local conservation efforts ahead of Earth Day

Common Gallinule Photo: Crawford County Now/Tony Everhardt & Friends of Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge


PORT CLINTON, OH (CRAWFORD COUNTY NOW)—In anticipation of Earth Day on April 22, the African Safari Wildlife Park has made a generous contribution of $600 to local organizations dedicated to protecting native Ohio wildlife and ecosystems.

Wildflowers (Photo by Black Swamp Conservancy)

The following nonprofit organizations each received a donation of $200:

  • Friends of Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge, Oak Harbor, Ohio – An organization dedicated to conserving the Lake Erie marshes through habitat restoration, infrastructure improvements, and educational programming.
  • Back to the Wild, Castalia, Ohio – A group committed to rehabilitating orphaned, displaced, and injured wildlife for release into their natural habitat.
  • Black Swamp Conservancy, Perrysburg, Ohio – A conservancy focused on preserving natural habitats and family farms through land stewardship.

The recipients were selected by the Park’s conservation committee, composed of employees Ashley Hamrick, Seth Hojnacki, Kelsey Keller, Makayla Kopriver, Sophie Nader, Brandon Ramsey, Dylan Shea, Danielle Tran, and Elliot Zirulnik.

The contributions were made possible by Guardian of Wildlife, the Park’s 501©(3) organization that exists to promote and support wildlife conservation. Funded primarily by donations from Park guests, Guardian of Wildlife has gifted more than $28,000 to nonprofit organizations around the world since 2016. Donations to Guardian of Wildlife can be made at the Park’s website.

“We are fortunate to live in a region abundant in amazing wildlife and unique ecosystems, and we are just as lucky to have these incredible community organizations in our backyard,” said Park director Kelsey Keller.

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