Events


September 28th, 2021

Commonwealth of Virginia Campaign is underway!

Click HERE to donate (only Virginia state employees may donate)

 

Photos with Santa & Mrs. Claus

December 4th, 2021

10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Sign up HERE!

ONLINE AUCTION!

October 29th – November 13th

Click HERE to start bidding!

October 23rd, 2021

Owl Workshop

Come to the Explore Park and learn some interesting facts about these fascinating and somewhat mysterious birds of prey. Find out which owls live in Roanoke County 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 and dissect an owl pellet to learn even more! Children must be accompanied by a paid, registered adult.

Roanoke County Parks Explore Park, 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

 

October 16th, 2021

Adventure Saturday @ The Explore Park

-We will be part of Adventure Saturday in the nature activities section with a program called “Trees, and the animals that use them.”

Roanoke County Parks Explore Park , 12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.

 

October 13th, 2021

Pita Pit Fundraiser (they’ll be donating a percentage of their takeout sales to Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center)

301 S. Jefferson Street from 4 p.m. – 8 p.m.

Pita Pit 

 

September 25th, 2021

Vinton Public Library

Local Wildlife 101

This one hour program will feature 2-3 of Southwest Virginia’s Wildlife Center’s non-releasable animal ambassadors who will share stories, natural history, and information on how we can help the wild animals around us. Event will be held on the patio. Weather permitting. Space is limited. Register online.

Register HERE!

2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

 

September 26th @ 12 p.m.

Kroger Community Fundraiser

Cave Spring Corners Kroger

 

September 16th, 2021

American Kestrel and Green Heron Release

Wasena Park @ 3 p.m.

September 10th, 2021

Eastern Screech Owl Release

Mill Mountain Park overlook @ 6:00 p.m.

This Eastern Screech Owl was found as a baby lying on the ground covered in flies. After a couple months of rehabilitation with us it is ready to released to finally begin its life in the wild.

 

September 11th, 2021 (Saturday)

Fundraiser: West End Cruise In

1917 Chapman Ave S.W. Roanoke, VA 24016

10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

(rain date September 12th, 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.)

 

September 8th, 2021 (Wednesday)

Pints With A Purpose @ Parkway Brewing 

739 Kessler Mill Rd, Salem, VA 24153

5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Saltys Lobster Co will also be there and donating $1 from every Lobster roll sold!

 

September 9th, 2021

Canada Goose Release @ Virginia Tech

This Canada Goose was originally found stuck in VT’s drone cage having sustained a few injuries to the wings and legs. After a few months in rehab with us it is ready to be free once more.

Release will take place at the Virginia Tech Duck Pond near the gazebo at 4:30 p.m.

Haley Olsen-Hodges, staff naturalist and Virginia Tech Senior, will be on conducting the release.

 

August 18th, 2021

Chillin’ Shaved Ice will be donating 10% of sales and 100% of their tips.  They are located at 1318 Riverland Road, SE, Roanoke 24014

August 13th, 2021

Red-tailed Hawk Release at Fishburn Park at 3 p.m.

Sabrina Garvin, executive director, and Samantha Cline, senior staff, will be on hand to conduct the release and to answer questions.

August 10th, 2021

Samantha Cline, a member of our senior staff, will be releasing a Barred Owl at 7 p.m. The release will take place by the pond near what used to be Ballast Point Brewery

 

July 23rd, 2021

Tails and Tales Educational Program

Big Island Branch of Bedford County Libraries, 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Registration is open click here .

 

July 16th

First Fridays Roanoke

Downtown Roanoke 5 p.m. – 9 p.m. Live music, beer/wine for sale, food truck onsite, and proceeds help the wildlife center.

June 19th, 2021

Forest Branch of Bedford County Libraries – Event is full!

June 18th

First Fridays Roanoke

Downtown Roanoke 5 p.m. – 9 p.m. Live music, beer/wine for sale, food truck onsite, and proceeds help the wildlife center.

March 2nd, 2021

Red-tailed Hawk Release
We will be conducting a release of a Red-tailed Hawk in Danville, VA at 3:45 p.m at 900 Northmont Blvd at the Johnson Shelter (park). Kaitlyn Rankin will be present to conduct the release.

December 4th, 2020

Great Horned Owl Release – Salem, VA

This release was done by Sabrina Garvin.

 

Past Events:

We will be releasing a Great Horned Owl at the lower Pandapas Pond parking lot this Friday October 30th, 2020 at 5pm. The patient was found by Beth Lohman of Blacksburg, VA on September 12th, 2020 and was captured with the assistance of Dr. Greg Daniel, professor of Radiology at the Virginia Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine. Kaityln Rankin, a member of our staff, will be conducting the release. Kaityln recently graduated from Virginia Tech with a degree in Biology and a concentration in Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior.

 

We are releasing a Red-Tailed Hawk Saturday October 24th, 2020 at 12pm at Fishburn Park in Roanoke, VA. Timiah Palmer will be conducting the release and Sabrina Garvin, Executive Director, will be on site.

We are also releasing a second Red-Tailed Hawk Saturday October 24th at 3pm at 716 Blue Grass Trail, Newport, VA 24128. Haley Olsen-Hodges will be conducting the release.

helping hands logo

5985 Coleman Road, Roanoke, VA 24018

1-540-798-9836

swvawildlifecenter@gmail.com