Hokie BugFest – Hokie BugFest celebrates the fun and exciting science of entomology, and the Virginia Tech tradition of learning and discovery, through outreach and engagement. This event highlights an ongoing youth education program hosted by the Virginia Tech Department of Entomology, Virginia Tech College of Agriculture & Life Sciences, Virginia Cooperative Extension’s 4-H program, and the department’s student-run professional organization, the W. B. Alwood Entomological Society.

October 7th, 2023
10 a.m. – 3 p.m.

The Wildlife Around Us – We will be at the Meadowbrook Library in Shawsville, VA with some of our education ambassadors to discuss the importance of wildlife conservation and the wildlife that we have living around us. This event is sponsored by the Shawsville-Elliston Ruritan Club. This is a public event!

September 30th, 2023
1 p.m. – 2 p.m.

Roanoke Explore Park Spooktacular – We will be at Roanoke’s Explore Park with some of our nocturnal education ambassadors like Virginia Opossums and various species of owls.

October 28th, 2023

10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Ambassadors will be present from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Night Owl O’Ween on the Town! – Mark your calendars for October 21st, 2023 for a fun and exciting evening at the Shenandoah Club in downtown Roanoke from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. We’re going to have music by The Kings, silent and live auctions (ending slightly earlier this year so we have plenty of time for dancing), delicious food, spooky cocktails, costume contest, education ambassadors, and much much more! There are a limited number of tickets are they $100/person. Buy them now: Purchase Tickets!

October 21st, 2023

6 p.m. – 10 p.m.

Donations at the Market (Postponed due to rain, hope to reschedule soon) – Check out our booth at the Vinton Farmer’s Market. Come see what we’re all about while enjoying some live music and delicious food! More information can be found HERE!

September 9th, 2023

6:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.

Kroger Fundraiser – We will be having a cookout fundraiser at the Cave Spring Corners Kroger. Please come join us for some good food, check out our education ambassadors, and help us raise some money for our amazing organization!

September 23rd, 2023

11 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Give A Hoot – Come see us at the Mill Mountain Zoo for an exciting day to celebrate Owl Awareness Day (August 4th). The zoo will have their exhibit owls on display and the Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center will be present with some of our education ambassador owls! We plan to do 2, 30 minute talks about the wonderful owls in our area. Admission is $10 for adults and $8 for children. For more information click HERE!

August 5th, 2023

11 a.m. – 3 p.m.

All About Opossums – Come join us at the Roanoke Explore Park to learn about Virginia Opossums. This amazing marsupials are often misunderstood but serve a critical role in the environment. Did you know they are immune to snake venom too?

August 12th, 1 p.m. – 3 p.m.

Wildlife Around Us – Join us at Claytor Lake State Park to get an up close encounter with several of our education ambassadors. There will be owls, turtles, opossums, and much more! We’ll share some stories, teach a little history, and have lots of fun! There is a $7 entrance fee for all cars.

August 19th, 2023

7 p.m. – 8 p.m.

Yoga with Wildlife @ In-balance Yoga – In-Balance Yoga in Blacksburg, VA will be hosting a yoga session where all proceeds will benefit the Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center. This event will showcase our ambassadors and you can come and do some yoga alongside them in the room. This will be be an all-levels class.

July 29th, 2023

11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Birdies Fore Birdies – Come join us and our ambassadors for our first annual Birdies Fore Birdies Captain’s Choice Golf Tournament at Hidden Valley Country Club! on Thursday, June 15th for an amazing day of golf, games, prizes, food, and drinks. If you want to participate, register online HERE!

June 15th, 2023

9:00 a.m. shotgun start!

BOCO Wild – We’ll be at the Buchanon Fairgrounds with some of our amazing ambassadors to discuss their roles in the environment and things we can do to help our local wildlife. More information about BOCO Wild.

Saturday June 10th, 2023

9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

GIVE Roanoke – GIVE Roanoke is our annual 24 hour giving day campaign. This event has become one of out most important fundraisers of the year. So, please mark your calendars and help us and our native wildlife by making a donation.

April 19th, 2023

12:00 a.m. – 11:59 p.m.

GIVE Roanoke 

Conservation Conversations  – Join us and some of our ambassadors for an exciting and interactive educational program at the Mill Mountain Zoo.

April 27th, 2023

11 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Owls!!! – Join us at  the Roanoke County Explore Park to learn some interesting facts about these fascinating and somewhat mysterious birds of prey. Find out which owls live in the Roanoke area and how to identify them by sight and sound. Learn how and why they raise their young in the winter. Discover the secrets of these intriguing birds, dissect an owl pellet to learn even more, and meet one or two of our owl education ambassadors! Cost is $7 and more information can be found HERE.

April 29th, 2023

1 p.m. – 3 p.m.

Pitas For Wildlife! – Join us at Pita Pit and support this wildlife friendly restaurant! 15% of the sales between 4 p.m. and 9 p.m. on March 24th will go toward saving our local wildlife! Please come out and support us and this wonderful local business. With strong community support we can make a big difference.

March 24th, 2023

4 p.m. – 9 p.m.

Nature’s Emporium – We’ll be present at Nature’s Emporium on Brambleton with our Education Ambassadors. So, come out and see what we’re all about!

March 4th & 5th, 2023

11 a.m. – 3 p.m.

In-balance Yoga – In-Balance Yoga in Blacksburg, VA will be hosting a yoga session where all proceeds will benefit the Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center. This event will showcase our ambassadors and you can come and do some yoga alongside them in the room. This will be be an all-levels class.

February 11th, 2023

11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Black Dog Salvage Holiday Open House:
We will be on site with our tables for the length of the day but our ambassadors will only be present from 12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
More information can be found on Black Dog’s Facebook page.

December 17th and 18th, 2022, 11:00 a.m. – 5.:00 p.m.

Betty White Day 2023:

In honor of the late Betty White we will be raising money for our wildlife in her honor.

January 17th, 2023

Roanoke Home and Garden Show: 

We will be at Roanoke’s 13th annual Home and Garden show at the Berglund Center. We’ll be there with some of our amazing ambassadors, discussing wildlife education, what you can do around your home to make it wildlife friendly, and much more!

February 3rd – 5th, 2023

Sycamore Snacks Christmas Market and Wishlist Drive- Sycamore Snacks will be at 1900 Dutch Oven Road with their food truck (which focuses on organic, local, and sustainable foods), 12+ vendors, and a small tree lot. In addition to this, they will be doing a drive the many items we need at the center from our wishlists.

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