During the past decade, RWRC has grown to be the largest rehabilitation and education center of its kind in Texas, serving more than 100 counties. In 1999, through a collaborative effort between the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and RWRC, a closed 260-acre landfill was reclaimed and the wetland habitat restored. As a result, RWRC relocated its rehabilitation and education center to Hutchins, Texas, and now serves as a home to thousands of birds each year. Our primary educational objective is to promote links between wildlife habitats, schools and community organizations.

RWRC serves as a permanent home to birds that, due to injuries, cannot be released back into their native habitats. In 2006 RWRC received 5,107 birds needing care. Of those, 3,737 were protected by state and federal laws and 88% were rehabilitated and released back into their natural habitat. Additionally, RWRC received 283 birds of prey; 77% were returned to the wild. We also received 1,087 non-protected birds, of which 429 were domestic fowl. Birds we care for live in habitat-specific settings and are included in our educational outreach programs. At any given time, RWRC houses more than 600 birds that are nurtered year-round, seven days a week, by our dedicated staff and volunteers.

RWRC sits on the banks of the Trinity River at the edge of the Great Trinity Forest. The Trinity River runs through Texas and ends at the Gulf of Mexico, providing a wonderful water route for migratory birds. In August 2006, Texas Parks and Wildlife added RWRC to its Prairie & Pineywoods Wildlife Trail. RWRC is listed in the Texas Discovery Loop along with such other renowned Texas attractions as The Dallas Arboretum, Texas Discovery Gardens and the Leonhardt Lagoon at the Dallas Museum of Natural History.

RWRC offers a variety of educational programs from Pre-K through 12th grade that teach natural history and conservation. Our overall goal is to foster respectful curiosity for wildlife that will lead to a life of conservation. Each year, hundreds of schoolchildren and various scouting organizations visit us to learn about Texas wildlife and the environment. Live, non-releasable birds are included in our curriculum, along with appropriate visual teaching aids to reinforce our lesson plans. Follow-up activities and suggested reading accompany all programs. Educational classes are conducted onsite or at school and are designed to compliment existing science curricula.

RWRC is located at 1430 E. Cleveland Rd., Hutchins, TX 75141, and we’re open Monday through Saturday from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm and Sunday 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. For more information about our rehabilitation and educational programs you may visit our website at www.rogerswildife.org or call us at (972) 225-4000.