Representatives from Ash Grove Cement Co. and Nebraska Wildlife Rehab, Inc. (NWRI) announced plans recently for NWRI’s first Wildlife Education and Rehabilitation Operations Center in the former site of Ash Grove’s original Nebraska office building located near the Omaha metro area in Louisville. Ash Grove is allowing NWRI to use the 4,500-sq-ft historic office on a long-term basis at a nominal rate. NWRI will use the office building to answer wildlife hotline calls from the public, coordinate wildlife rescues and care, organize volunteers and supplies, create new and innovative education programs for children and adults, and host wildlife training and certification events. NWRI also will use the space to collaborate with other environmental and education organizations throughout our area.
“Ash Grove’s support will allow Nebraska Wildlife Rehab to grow and help more animals while also meeting our mission to educate children throughout the region,” said NWRI Operations Chair and Board Member, Laura Stastny. “The new Wildlife Education and Operations Center will allow NWRI to take a giant step forward in our efforts to rehabilitate and release orphaned and injured wildlife and through education, preserve and protect the natural habitat and species indigenous to Nebraska and the Great Plains.”
“Ash Grove is proud to support the important work of Nebraska Wildlife Rehab. We are especially pleased that the local community will continue to benefit from our company’s historic, original office building,” said Ash Grove Louisville Plant Manager David Dorris. “Ash Grove Cement Company is committed to supporting area organizations that are important to our employees and our customers throughout the region.”
Ash Grove has been a part of the Nebraska landscape for more than 80 years and a leading supporter of Nebraska community organizations, including local youth recreation, education and community events. The new Wildlife Education and Operations Center also will be used to plan and implement these innovative education programs for students in Nebraska and Iowa, such as the organization’s successful Outdoor Science Classroom which was completed in partnership with the Underwood Hills Focus School in Omaha in 2010.
