WEC Introduces Children to the Wonders
of the Natural World with SCORE’s Help

 

            Wildlife Educators Coalition (WEC), an expanding group of exotic animal handlers with experience in the art of wildlife education is introducing children of all ages to the wonders of the natural world through personal experience with WECs animal ambassadors.

            WEC presentations give the audience an opportunity to learn how they can get closer to nature and how they can help to protect it through a uniquely interactive experience.  These programs also fulfill several of the New York State Educational Standards in Science. 

            Karin Fires, Executive Director of WEC is a long-time client of SCORE Rochester.  Karin became a client in 1991 and has worked with SCORE on four separate small business ventures.  “I have found SCORE’s assistance invaluable to starting a new business.  They are among the first people I turn to when developing a new business idea,” she says.

                                                               

                                                     Karin Fires and her bird "Hiawatha"       

  

            WEC is her latest project with SCORE.  In December, 2009, Karin brought her WEC program to SCORE and requested assistance in developing her business plan.  She adds that “SCORE’s knowledge of the steps necessary to success in starting a business and their ability to help us develop our business plan and market our programs is a key factor in our progress to date.”

                                                         

                                                                         Hiawatha

 

            The WEC motto is “Wildlife is the heartbeat of the earth” and they present specialized programs that focus on a specific family of animals with emphasis on commonalities and differences.  Marianne Smith, one of WEC’s animal owner/handlers and a WEC Board member explains,  “For example, WEC has a common marmoset and a black handed spider monkey.  One is big, one is small, one has opposable thumbs, one does not, both have long tails, but one is prehensile and the other is not.  One is threatened, and the other is not.” 

                                                     

                                          Donna Broadhurst and her Green Iguana - "Chief".    

         

                Discussions and interactive materials can address the differences, the adaptations, the commonalities and even diversity in the human family as well as in the primate family.    WEC also offers Story Book programs, where children read the book and WEC brings the animal, and Story Telling programs including Native American legends, Mother West Wind Stories and others.

Wildlife Educators Coalition can be reached as follows:

On the Internet at www.nywec.org

Telephone: 585-259-7112

USPS: 1824 Bronson Hill, Avon, NY 14414          

                       

 

            See archives of past Spotlights.

            If you have an existing business or are starting a new one, consider how your company may benefit from SCORE’s counseling. Call for a free counseling appointment at one of our many locations. While you are there, ask your SCORE counselor how you might tap into our 60-plus membership knowledge bank to further address your particular business and industry concerns.