Dr. Kathleen Ramsay, here talking about birds, will give a presentation May 26 at the Nature Center. Courtesy/PEEC

PEEC News:

What does it mean to be a wildlife “rehabber”, and what goes into this important work? Dr. Kathleen Ramsay, a New Mexico legend and founder of the New Mexico Wildlife Center, will give a talk on the topic at 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 26 at the Los Alamos Nature Center.

In her talk, Dr. Ramsay will discuss her career as a wildlife rehabber, and why this work is important to wildlife and to us all. She also will talk about how she cares for the animals, such as providing medical care, maintaining the cages, and special feeding considerations. There will be time for questions at the end of the presentation.

Dr. Kathleen Ramsay has devoted more than 30 years to animal care. After receiving her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Colorado State University, Dr. Ramsay opened her own veterinary clinic in Espanola. In 1986, Dr. Ramsay founded the New Mexico Wildlife Center located in Espanola. Although its mission was originally to care for birds, the mission and facility expanded.

In the early 2000s, Dr. Ramsay was appointed to the New Mexico Board of Veterinary Medicine, where she continued to serve until 2013. In the early 2000s, Dr. Ramsay had to leave New Mexico Wildlife Center to care for her ailing husband, but she still continued to provide rehabilitation to bears.

In 2012, Dr. Ramsay co-founded the Land of Enchantment Wildlife Foundation. Unlike New Mexico Wildlife Center, the Land of Enchantment Wildlife Foundation (LEWF) was formed to help wildlife rehabbers. Through donations and grants LEWF helps provide services, materials, and supplies to those individuals or organizations who might not have the ability to seek these resources on their own.

The talk will take place at the Los Alamos Nature Center at 2600 Canyon Road. It is free to attend, and no registration is required. For more information about this and other PEEC programs, visit www.peecnature.org, email programs@peecnature.org or call 505.662.0460.

The Pajarito Environmental Education Center (PEEC) was founded in 2000 to serve the community of Los Alamos. It offers people of all ages a way to enrich their lives by strengthening their connections to our canyons, mesas, mountains, and skies. PEEC operates the Los Alamos Nature Center at 2600 Canyon Road, holds regular programs and events, and hosts a number of interest groups from birding to hiking to butterfly watching. PEEC activities are open to everyone; however members receive exclusive benefits such as discounts on programs and merchandise. Annual memberships start at $35. To learn more, visit www.peecnature.org.