Nature’s Nursery hosts groundbreaking, progress tours

By: 
Staff Writer

Nature’s Nursery Center For Wildlife Rescue And Rehabilitation is ready to dig in the dirt.
A groundbreaking will be held for phase two of their new facility at 7551 Dutch Rd., Waterville, Monday, March 6 at 3 p.m., and the community is invited to come celebrate the progress and see the almost-completed phase one interior space.
Nature’s Nursery purchased the existing building in Waterville in December 2021 and began the Phase 1 interior renovations to the space last July. The 5,700 square foot building that used to serve as a restaurant and carryout has been converted into a new facility for wildlife rehabilitation, as well as a public education center.
Nature’s Nursery received their occupancy permits in mid-February and has begun moving caging, furnishings and equipment into the building with the intent to begin admitting animals there in late March. “We had hoped to be open by the first of year, but this is a huge move for us, and we decided that slow and steady with proper planning and execution was the best way to go,” said Allison Aey, Nature’s Nursery executive director.
With the progress moving right along for the first phase, the second phase of exterior work is ready to begin. The second phase of the project is to develop the five acres of land behind the building into exterior wildlife rehab space as well as a public education area. The project will include a 60 x 30 pole barn with a community porch gathering area, over 30 cages for rehabbing wildlife, 20 habitats for the wildlife education animals and a flight cage. The exterior project is expected to take 4-6 months with a late summer completion.
After the groundbreaking ceremony, guests are invited to tour the interior of the building to see the completed renovations and the progress toward opening. Tours will be offered through 6 p.m. Although animals are not yet being housed at the new facility, Nature’s Nursery will bring several of their animal ambassadors to the event, and will have merchandise for sale, raffles and more.
“We are really excited about the progress of the overall project and ready to see the second phase come together so that we can provide the best care to the nearly 4,000 animals that we admit each year. Being able to invite the public into the facility to learn more about wildlife is going to really help us fulfill our mission as an organization and increase human appreciation for these animals” Aey said.
The project is being funded by grants and private donations. Over $1.5 million has been raised to date and additional funds are still needed to help support the continued work. Interested donors may contribute at natures-nursery.org or contact Aey at aaey@natures-nursery.org.
“This new facility is a project for the community, by the community. We have been in NW Ohio for 34 years completely supported by people who love wildlife, and we are counting on their generosity and appreciation for our work to help us continue to rescue wildlife in need,” Aey said.

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