DaLyn,

I am constantly amazed at the sheer number of animals you help, your dedication to your organization and it's mission and above all your selfless giving of your time, talent, blood, sweat and tears to help the birds and mammals impacted by humans.

We are incredibly fortunate to have you and your volunteers serving our community- doing what you do not for fame or fortune but because it's simply the right thing to do for the creatures we share this planet with.

Amazing how far you've come! From a small 300 sqft stinky/yucky shack at the Nature Center to this amazing rehabilitation/education center making it on your own and doing it VERY WELL--you're a SUCCESS WRCNU!!! I'm watching you grow and grow, becoming more than the "Largest Wildlife Rehabilitation Center in Utah" by changing how Utahans’ think and act when encountering our wild Utah and gaining the public following/support to match the size of the service you provide (almost 1,700 animals in 2010?—WOW!). Thank you for what you do!

You guys are awesome! You have done so much even when the odds were against you. I'm very proud to have worked along side you to help make a difference.

With the amazing work you've done, you've got yourselves a growing fan base, even all the way across the pond here in Ireland. :)

A Friend posted the following blog comment on The Wilderness Society's "Tell us about the Mama Grizzlies you know!" Thanks Hagen!

"Mama Grizzly" by any other

Submitted by Hagen on Wed, 03/09/2011 - 10:02.

"Mama Grizzly" by any other name would be DaLyn Erickson of Ogden Utah! DaLyn has devoted her life to first repairing the damage of the human impact on our native wildlife and then educating the public on ways to reduce the impact and bring about appreciation for the wildlife and wild habitat around us. DaLyn is the much underpaid Executive Director and Wildlife Specialist of a fledgling nonprofit: Wildlife Rehabilitation Center of Northern Utah ( www.WRCNU.org ). She has worked privately in the avian field for over 20 years and in 2001 found an opening at a local Nature Center caring for education animals as well as rehabilitation of native migratory birds. The nature center shutdown the program in 2009, but the need for her services was so great that a group of Founders spawned the WRCNU. 2010 brought almost 1,700 animals to WRCNU and as always DaLyn was there (365 days/year) working 10-16 hours each day with her loyal all volunteer group of over 145 youths to seniors. There is no greater dedication than that given by THIS MAMA GRIZZLY!

http://wilderness.org/content/real-mama-grizzly-blog

Hope you're all settled into your new digs. Congrats!

Deb

The Chevron Oil Spill is a perfect example of "the rich get richer while the poor get poorer". Hogle Zoo (the rich) will get all the publicity and money from their (albeit great) help and efforts in de-oiling many, many birds, but in the end, they will wash their hands of the birds by passing them on to rehabbers like WRCNU for the long-term more costly part of the rehabilitation process and WRCNU (and other rehabbers) will likely see little to no monetary benefits for their work. It's a labor of love (what they do) but sooner or later, for their very survival, someone needs to take notice and provide the monetary help and support to ensure we don't loose our only rehab center in Northern Utah. The oil spill like the one in the Gulf is a huge reminder/warning that Utah as a state needs to take more notice and action along the lines of the environmental/conservation/wildlife arena. Uthans are far too into the "use it up" mode, whether it be water, land or wildlife.

Great work ALL and not belittling the work Hogle has done, only the motive and the lesser need for the money and public support (bigger vs smaller).

Chief--you amaze me--and I'm not easy (any more)

Johnny G

Hello everyone, thank you so much for taking in little "Mayday" today! I know he will receive the finest care, and soon fly strong and free! I will post photos on my blog soon... and will call in a few days to check on him... I so appreciate all of you and your commitment to Nature and all of God's precious creatures, sincerely, Julie Marie Vicknair

Love the website and videos! Love working with you guys.

Sounds like tough times ahead for WRCNU with a "good news/bad news" scenario. The Brookside Facility has been sold (bad news for WRCNU, good news for Dr Penrod), the new owner is willing to lease a portion of the building (thru Fall 2010) which means downsizing and limiting what they can care for in 2010. The added cost of substantial rental fees, plus the utilities is huge, but it must be done to keep this vital service to N. Utahans going. Good news is a donor supplied 6 months of salary (a one time only commitment) for DaLyn. More good news, still looks like the Ogden Animal Shelter (1/2) will be WRCNU's new long-term home starting this fall--BIG THANKS to the City of Ogden! Bad news is the HUGE utilities bill to keep that facility going. One Day @ a Time WRCNU! With no State or Federal Funding they need the support of the community and local businesses/corporations to keep going. In less than a year they've done more than survive and are actually growing upwardly--this is an amazing group of dedicated folks who promise (with our support) to provide quality long-term education and wildlife care for all of Northern Utah and its surrounding area. Thanks WRCNU!

What a great thing you are all involved in, we need to remember that God loves even the smallest sparrow. The birds are wonderful and I love that they are released when rehabilitated. Keep up the great work.

Thanks to DaLyn, Buz and all the passionate volunteers who devote their time, energy and dollars to saving these amazing creatures. You make our community--and world--a better place for everyone!

You guys are amazing, I love your work!! More power to you, I look forward to working with all of you. Congrats on making it this far, I'm excited to see what happens.