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Press Release

Press Release: New Alliance Leads Groundbreaking Effort to Protect New YorkŮٱƵs Wildlife

Posted
October 16, 2025

ŮٱƵŮٱƵs Animal Policy Project partners with the New York State Wildlife Rehabilitation Council as increased threats to wildlife prompt alliance of ŮٱƵnatureŮٱƵs first respondersŮٱƵ

Image
 A juvenile red-tailed hawk photographed by Angelo Spillo of the Environmental Studies and Science Department at ŮٱƵ. The bird was rehabilitated by Green Chimneys and released on Pace property at the Suburban Biodiversity Conservation Center.
A juvenile red-tailed hawk photographed by Angelo Spillo of the Environmental Studies and Science Department at ŮٱƵ. The bird was rehabilitated by Green Chimneys and released on Pace property at the Suburban Biodiversity Conservation Center.

Habitat loss, invasive species, pollution, diseaseŮٱƵthese are just some of the threats to wildlife targeted by a groundbreaking collaboration of the and ŮٱƵŮٱƵs Animal Policy Project (APP).

By uniting a university renowned for environmental policy innovation with the nationŮٱƵs oldest state-level wildlife rehabilitation organization, the NYSWRC-Pace Alliance (NPA) will generate data, educate communities, and shape policies that safeguard wildlife.

ŮٱƵWildlife rehabilitators are natureŮٱƵs first responders,ŮٱƵ said Michelle Land, clinical professor and director of the Animal Policy Project at ŮٱƵ. ŮٱƵThey see the threats to New YorkŮٱƵs wild animals every day, often working out of their own homes. We will gather that expertise through a statewide network that serves as a much-needed conduit between science and policy.ŮٱƵ

According to Kelly Martin, president of the New York State Wildlife Rehabilitation Council, ŮٱƵWildlife rehabilitation is most effective when backed by strong, science-based policies that address the root causes of wildlife distress. The NYSWRC-Pace Alliance will ensure that rehabilitatorsŮٱƵ expertise informs policy decisions and create a future where both wild animals and those who care for them are better supported.ŮٱƵ

ŮٱƵEvery day, wildlife rehabilitators see firsthand the devastating impacts of human activities on New YorkŮٱƵs wild animals,ŮٱƵ said Suzie Gilbert, the AllianceŮٱƵs program coordinator. ŮٱƵBy bringing together rehabilitators and policy professionals, we can educate the public as well as improve policies on issues such as pesticide use, infrastructure design, exploitation of wild animals, and response strategies for emerging wildlife diseases.ŮٱƵ

The Alliance, formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), will leverage an expert network of rehabilitators, advocates, and policymakers to advance and improve New York State wildlife protection and care. Seed funding for the NPA has been generously provided by .

Key to the AllianceŮٱƵs success will be collaboration with the and its partner, .

For more information about the NYSWRC-Pace Alliance, please contact:

Michelle Land
Email: mland@pace.edu

Kelly Martin
Email: kmartink@midtel.net

Suzie Gilbert
Email: info@protectnywildlife.org.

About ŮٱƵ

Since 1906, ŮٱƵ has been transforming the lives of its diverse studentsŮٱƵacademically, professionally, and socioeconomically. With campuses in New York City and Westchester County, Pace offers bachelor, master, and doctoral degree programs to 13,600 students in its College of Health Professions, Dyson College of Arts and Sciences, Elisabeth Haub School of Law, Lubin School of Business, Sands College of Performing Arts, School of Education, and Seidenberg School of Computer Science and Information Systems.

About New York State Wildlife Rehabilitation Council

The New York State Wildlife Rehabilitation Council (NYSWRC) promotes the professionalism of licensed wildlife rehabilitators through field support, educational services, and technical information. It works with government agencies, disseminates educational material and information to New York State residents, and promotes the conservation of wildlife, their habitats, and other natural resources. Members consist of licensed wildlife rehabilitators and assistants, veterinarians, and other wildlife professionals.

About the Animal Policy Project

The Animal Policy Project (APP) is a program of the Suburban Biodiversity Conservation Center, housed in the Environmental Studies and Science Department of Dyson College of Arts and Sciences at ŮٱƵ. Its mission is to safeguard animalsŮٱƵdomestic, captive, and wildŮٱƵthrough policy design and reform, relying on interdisciplinary research combining science, policy, and ethics. With a workforce of faculty, undergraduate, graduate and law students interested in advancing animal welfare, the APP helps partner organizations realize their policy innovation goals.

About Dyson College of Arts and Sciences

ŮٱƵŮٱƵs liberal arts college, Dyson College, offers more than 50 programs, spanning the arts and humanities, natural sciences, social sciences, and pre-professional programs (including pre-medicine, pre-veterinary, and pre-law), as well as many courses that fulfill core curriculum requirements. The College offers access to numerous opportunities for internships, cooperative education and other hands-on learning experiences that complement in-class learning in preparing graduates for career and graduate/professional education choices.

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