Our Mission and Our Vision
Our mission is simple. Inspire kids to fall in love with wildlife using art and education. We believe the more you learn, the more you love, the more you protect.
Art has the remarkable ability to communicate the intricate beauty of wildlife and ecosystems in ways that words alone cannot capture. Whether it is a gifted student, one who doesn’t speak English, or a special needs child: they all benefit from art. Integrating art into our educational approach engages multiple senses, sparks creativity, and encourages a holistic understanding of the delicate balance that sustains life on our planet.
Our vision is to create a sense of wonder and appreciation for wildlife that can ignite a child’s lifelong passion for conservation. Our kids become true champions for wildlife and habitat.
Our Focus Is North America
Three wild red wolf pups at Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge. Phot: Nancy Arehart
Our focus is North America, where we can get students outdoors to see the animals and habitat we are teaching about. One of our key animals is the American red wolf, the most endangered wild animal in the US. Kids relate to wolves, especially when they close their eyes and listen to them howling.
In-person teaching is currently centered on Western North Carolina in grades K-8 using project-based learning. Topics include the American red wolf, hellbenders, bats, wildlife in my backyard and pollinators.
Our Founders
Loti & Dale learned it is never too late at a ripe old age. Meeting in their 60s, they fell in love at first sight. So then, what did they do? Well, they g0t engaged in 8 days and looked at each other and asked, now what?
Sharing a deep passion for wildlife and habitat, especially the underdogs, they founded our nonprofit in 2022. Originally called Weiler Woods for Wildlife, we renamed it Champions for Wildlife to better fit our mission of inspiring kids to fall in love with wildlife using art & education.
Dale started sculpting in his late 40’s and never looked back. He’s an artist, a navy pilot, an international consultant and an aerospace engineer all rolled into one. Dale still sculpts and donates all sculpture proceeds to our nonprofit.
Loti, a retired Insurance Executive, brings her love of native plants and habitat restoration, along with her business skills to the nonprofit as our Executive Director.
Both Loti & Dale serve on the Board and volunteer their time to make our nonprofit a leader in wildlife education with our unique twist of art.
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We Are Candid Certified!
P.O. Box 128
Lynn, North Carolina, 28750
Champions for Wildlife is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable organization.
EIN #87-4584220