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Wild Earth Conservancy
Building a New Model for Wildlife Conservation
Wild Earth Conservancy is creating an integrated conservation institution bringing wildlife rehabilitation, permanent sanctuary, endangered-species conservation, research, education, and emerging technology together within one organization.
We’re building it in phases—and Phase 1 begins with creating a permanent sanctuary for wildlife that has nowhere else to go.
(Coming Soon to the Carolinas)
Wild Earth Conservancy is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit building critical infrastructure between wildlife rehabilitation and permanent sanctuary. Our first phase establishes a permanent home for animals referred as non-releasable by licensed rehabilitation facilities, providing naturalistic habitat, longitudinal care, and structured reassessment.
This sanctuary is the foundation of a larger conservation institution. As WEC develops, the same infrastructure and professional network will support wildlife rehabilitation, endangered-species recovery, conservation research, education, and emerging conservation technology.
Campaign
We’re raising $75,000 to launch Phase 1 of Wild Earth Conservancy—the establishment of our first permanent sanctuary campus. This initial campaign will support land acquisition and the first-stage infrastructure needed to begin providing permanent care for wildlife that has nowhere else to go.
Every contribution is tax-deductible and directly supports the establishment of WEC’s physical foundation.
Phased Development
How Wild Earth Conservancy is Being Built
Wild Earth Conservancy is being built in clearly defined phases as funding, permitting, and operational capacity allow. The first phase establishes the foundation for a much larger conservation institution—one that will connect professional wildlife rehabilitation and permanent sanctuary with endangered-species recovery, conservation research, education, and emerging conservation technology.
Every phase is designed to build on the last, allowing WEC to expand responsibly while maintaining professional animal-care standards, ethical stewardship, and long-term environmental sustainability.
Phase One
Establishing the first WEC sanctuary campus and providing lifetime care for select non-releasable animals referred by licensed wildlife rehabilitation facilities, once land, facilities, staffing, and permits are secured.
Phase Two
Expanding into professional wildlife rehabilitation and release programs, creating the capacity to receive, treat, rehabilitate, and return appropriate native wildlife to the wild while building the clinical and operational systems needed for long-term growth.
Phase Three
Developing endangered-species recovery, conservation research, and education programs in partnership with wildlife professionals, researchers, conservation organizations, and academic institutions.
Phase Four
Establishing WEC as an integrated conservation institution where wildlife care, endangered-species recovery, research, education, and emerging conservation technology operate together to advance practical solutions for wildlife and biodiversity.
What We Do
Wildlife Sanctuary
For animals who cannot be returned to the wild, we provide lifelong sanctuary focused on welfare, enrichment, and dignity, allowing them to live safely while contributing to conservation education.
Wildlife Rehabilitation
Wild Earth Conservancy provides professional care for injured, orphaned, and displaced native wildlife, with the goal of recovery and safe release back into their natural habitats whenever possible.
Conservation Education
We engage communities through education and outreach programs that foster respect for wildlife, promote coexistence, and inspire long-term conservation stewardship.
Endangered-Species Recovery
We develop conservation programs focused on threatened and endangered species, including species recovery, managed breeding, population support, and partnerships with researchers and conservation organizations.
Conservation Research
WEC supports applied research that can improve wildlife care, conservation decision-making, species recovery, and our understanding of animal behavior and ecological systems.
Conservation Technology
We explore emerging technologies that can expand what conservationists are able to see, measure, understand, and accomplish—from new approaches to animal monitoring to tools that can bring more people into conservation.
About Wild Earth Conservancy
About
Wild Earth Conservancy is being built as an integrated conservation institution connecting professional wildlife rehabilitation, permanent sanctuary, endangered-species recovery, conservation research, education, and emerging conservation technology.
Our goal is to create an organization where these disciplines reinforce one another: where caring for individual animals can inform conservation, research can strengthen species recovery, education can connect people to the work, and new technologies can expand what conservationists are able to accomplish.
WEC is being developed in phases so that each program can be established responsibly, with professional animal-care standards, ethical stewardship, environmental sustainability, and accessibility built into the organization’s growth.
All areas of WEC are fully accessible, ensuring that visitors, students, researchers, and volunteers of all abilities can safely engage with our programs and wildlife. Together, these programs build the foundation for a dedicated, immersive wildlife conservation facility that serves both animals and the communities that surround them.
Proud member of 1% for the Planet and supported by Mighty Cause.
Organizational Standards
- Federally recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization
- Professional wildlife care and welfare standards
- Wildlife rehabilitation and permanent sanctuary
- Endangered-species recovery and conservation research
- Conservation education and emerging technology
- Long-term development of an integrated wildlife conservation institution
Leadership & Conservation Team
Wild Earth Conservancy is being built by wildlife professionals with experience spanning zoological care, wildlife rehabilitation, animal welfare, conservation, operations, and public engagement. As WEC develops, this core team will work alongside researchers, conservation scientists, advisors, institutional partners, and members of the WEC Founding Circle to build the organization’s programs and long-term capacity.
Timothy Mihocik
Founder & Executive Director
Timothy brings over a decade of experience in animal husbandry, wildlife rehabilitation, and zoological care. He has held professional roles at the Toledo Zoo & Aquarium, Lake Erie Nature & Science Center, Kevin P. Clinton Wildlife Center, and Santa Fe Teaching Zoo, providing rehabilitative care, neonatal support, diet preparation, enrichment design, and enclosure construction for a wide range of native mammals, birds, and reptiles.
Timothy has participated in federally coordinated bird banding and monitoring programs with the U.S. Bird Banding Laboratory and the Division of Migratory Bird Management, supporting critical avian conservation research. He holds a bachelor’s degree in behavioral psychology and completed advanced animal care training through the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance Academy. His conservation journalism has been published in National Wildlife Federation Magazine, BBC Wildlife, Earth Island Journal, The Revelator, Civil Eats, and Rewilding Magazine.
Seth Hochberg
Co-Founder & President
Seth brings over 15 years of zoological and wildlife experience to Wild Earth Conservancy. He is a graduate of the University of West Florida’s Zoo Science program and also studied Zoo Animal Technology at Santa Fe College and Zoology at Broward College. Over the years, he has worked with a wide array of species in roles at Montgomery Zoo, Palm Beach Zoo, Lubee Bat Conservancy, and Jacksonville Zoo, focusing on husbandry, enrichment, and animal behavior.
Through his expertise and lifelong commitment to conservation, Seth helps develop and implement Wild Earth Conservancy’s animal-care standards, rehabilitation programs, and public outreach initiatives. He plays a central role in shaping WEC’s approach to animal welfare and evidence-based wildlife care as the organization develops its long-term conservation programs and facilities.
Steven Herbst
Co-Founder & Secretary
With a diverse background spanning over 10 years of zoological care, wildlife handling, and public safety, Steven brings a steady hand and detail-oriented mindset to Wild Earth Conservancy. He began his career working with exotic species at ZooTampa and Santa Fe College, developing expertise in husbandry, diet preparation, and enrichment for a wide range of animals. His experience in security and corrections further strengthened his leadership, organizational, and risk management skills.
Steven now channels this expertise into building safe, efficient, and welfare-focused operations for the Conservancy. He oversees facility management, operational logistics, and program support, helping establish the systems and infrastructure WEC will need as it expands its wildlife care and conservation programs.
Get Involved
Wild Earth Conservancy is in the development phase and is building the people, partnerships, expertise, and infrastructure needed to establish its long-term programs. We welcome support from donors, institutional partners, wildlife professionals, conservationists, volunteers, and individuals who want to help shape what WEC becomes.
We’re also assembling the WEC Founding Circle—a group of people from wildlife conservation and from outside the traditional conservation world who want to help create WEC from the ground up. Founding Circle members will contribute in different ways according to their interests, expertise, connections, and availability.
Join the WEC Founding Circle
Help shape Wild Earth Conservancy from the beginning alongside wildlife professionals, researchers, conservationists, scientists, and other leaders committed to building a new model for wildlife conservation.
Volunteer & Contribute
Support wildlife care, habitat projects, and education efforts by volunteering your time and skills.
Skilled and community volunteer engagement.
Support Our Work
Your tax-deductible donation directly supports animal care, conservation programs, and facility development.
Tax-deductible contributions for program development.
Explore Partnership Opportunities
We collaborate with educators, conservationists, and organizations committed to protecting wildlife and ecosystems.
Strategic collaborations & institutional support.
Partnership Form
Contact Us
Wild Earth Conservancy welcomes inquiries from prospective Founding Circle members, donors, institutional partners, conservation professionals, researchers, media, and individuals interested in helping build the organization.
WEC is currently in its development and fundraising phase, building the partnerships, expertise, infrastructure, and support needed to establish an integrated conservation institution connecting wildlife rehabilitation, permanent sanctuary, endangered-species recovery, conservation research, education, and emerging conservation technology.
info@wildearthconservancy.com
Wild Earth Conservancy is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization being developed as an integrated conservation institution connecting wildlife rehabilitation, permanent sanctuary, endangered-species recovery, conservation research, education, and emerging conservation technology.
EIN – 39-4685053
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