About Us
A Dedicated Team- educators, organizers, influencers, custodians
Our amazing team of volunteers – yes, volunteers – is committed to helping our native Idaho wildlife. We take our passion for wildlife conservation and turn it into action. Click the upper corner for a drop-down menu including our contact page for more information! BUT THE NEED IS PRESENT TO DO MORE! We need your talents to build the first IPNW nature center with a wildlife hospital and paid staff.
In 2024, the Idaho State game department rejected any future acceptance of white-tailed deer fawn patients by licensed professionals. Prior to that, the IDFG commissioners refused authorization allowing care for orphaned North Idaho black bear cubs. In 2025, Idaho state politicians voted to deny the relocation of wild animals. Idaho Fish and Game regional managers denied issuing new permits for qualified citizens and refused to renew permits for those expired. The state also refused permission to care for several native species including bats, skunks, raccoons, and foxes. The state has taken a stand against protecting native nongame species, focusing solely on animals from which they can profit, while ignoring the pressing need for professional rehabbers.
Fact: 90% of patients are human-caused. It is not 'nature' that creates the suffering. There are more groups in Idaho which 'dispatch' / 'manage' / kill native wildlife than those that attempt to save injured individuals and promote wild animal awareness and cohabitation.
Fact: Eight women – most without pay, some simultaneously working full-time jobs – are dedicated to caring for the thousands of injured or orphaned native Idaho wild animals each year.
Fact: AIRforWILDLIFE.org is the association of Idaho rehabbers for wildlife. This website provides the names of these eight groups, the types of animals each group has experience with, and the regions they operate in.
Fact: Without community support and involvement, there will not be a professional to call for help or even answer your questions. If you love where you live, prove it! Become part of a team that is actually saving the lives of our native neighbors every single day.
Fact: A broken habitat is harmful to all. Caring about wild animals should not be a childhood hobby. Extinction is not an archaic term of the past.
AHWF will continue the mission of conserving local native wildlife through education and by providing services related to wild animal habitat conflict and cohabitation consulting. Call 208.266.1488 to schedule an appointment. Email ahwf@sandpoint.net.
Keep discovering more by going to the next page(s) and viewing assorted PDF documents.
Our History
A.H.W.F. is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization and an Idaho State nonprofit incorporation. We had wildlife rehabilitation permits from the Department of the Interior U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Migratory Bird Department and the State of Idaho Fish and Game Department. We work closely with nearby licensed raptor and ungulate specialists.
Our lead animal care volunteer (and co-founder) has been a member of the National Wildlife Rehabilitators Association, the International Rehabilitation Council, the American Association of Zookeepers. Additionally has completed extensive course study in various aspects of wildlife as well as experience from five animal facilities across the nation.
AHWF began from a vision the founder had in 2001 and continues to day because of the belief of the community of wildlife enthusiasts. The goal is to create the first nature center in the panhandle. We have acquired the required state and federal permits allowing possession of assorted animal artifacts to be used as teaching items on our Nature Walk and during educational outreach presentations.
North Idaho's wildlife is our mission
American Heritage Wildlife Foundation worked towards the preservation of all wildlife through rehabilitation for 2 decades and continues community education. This takes place because of thousands of volunteer hours.
We are working to create the first Inland Pacific Northwest Nature Center.
Required federal and state permits have been acquired allowing the use of animal artifacts as tracing devices. We anticipate the grand opening of the Nature walk - guided pathway on Earth Day 2020.
Find out how you can get the involved on our contact us page.
Membership
Lifetime
Contribute one time and make a lifetime of difference for Idaho wildlife, enhancing wild animal awareness and supporting wildlife conservation efforts.
Mountain Bluebird
$500
Cougar
$1000
Wolverine
$5000
Lynx
$10,000
Caribou
$15,000
Annual
Help us maintain the beauty of North Idaho by promoting Idaho wildlife and fostering wild animal awareness, all while supporting wildlife conservation efforts.
Grizzly Bear (business)
$100
Black Bear
$50
Wolf Pack (family)
$30
Wise Owl
$15
Wise Owl program (for those over 65) aims to enhance Idaho wildlife knowledge and promote wild animal awareness, contributing to wildlife conservation efforts.
Youth Group (under 18)
$5 per child (minimum 5 individuals)
Are you a group of 'little stinkers' or 'coy coyotes' maybe you are a 'flock of rock doves'. chose your special name.
Individual
$20
When you give, they live. Together, we support Idaho wildlife and promote wild animal awareness. Join us in our efforts for wildlife conservation in North Idaho. Find the membership forms and more in the downloadable files sections.
help local native wildlife by reading
BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS (7 created exclusively for AHWF)
American Heritage Wildlife Foundation inc. was founded in 2001 with the mission of providing rehabilitation for the injured, sick, and orphaned animals as well as provide education on topics of vital importance including cohabitation. AHWF is still the only 501c3 charity which is providing such an inclusive mission. For over 20 years, we have rehabilitated thousands of animals, including bird species (except eagles), non-game mammals including carnivores, and both reptiles and amphibians. READ about these experiences in DIVINE CALLING and IMAGINE. Enjoy the adventures in the series of four young reader books and unwind with the activities book titled fun times with logger - this is a collection of crossword puzzles, word search, hidden object, dot to dot and more. Find these 7 books on 'support us', lulu.com, amazon or wherever you find your next read. Including local independent bookstores & the public library!
IF WE ARE TO KEEP ID WILD; we desperately need you to support the capital campaign to build the first native wildlife hospital and nature center. More than 90% of all patients arrive because of human cause. More than 4000 hours are needed every year. Nearly 500 telephone calls, emails and social media messages are received from caring citizens who are seeking information or help for a native neighbor. We are dedicated professionals with experience and are licensed animal care specialists. .
Sponsor a Patient
$20.00
Will you help pay the cost of care for our native wild animals be they furred, feathered, scaled or skinned who are needing rehabilitative care for injuries, illness, & other life threatening traumas? AHWF is 100% community supported - you are vital . Average cost $200 per patient.