Caring for Our City’s Wild Neighbors: Grade 5 Learns About Wildlife Rehabilitation in DC

This week, our Grade 5 students welcomed a special guest, Sara Dollen from City Wildlife, Washington, DC’s first and only wildlife rehabilitation center. During science class, students learned how City Wildlife helps care for the many animals that share our city—from tiny songbirds and turtles to foxes and opossums—and what it means to be a responsible neighbor to urban wildlife.

Ms. Dollen explained that wildlife rehabilitation is the treatment and temporary care of sick, injured, orphaned, or displaced wild animals, with the goal of returning them safely to their natural habitats. Students were fascinated to discover that City Wildlife treats about 1,500 animals each year, representing more than 290 species found right here in the District.

The presentation also highlighted some of the challenges DC’s animals face, including window collisions, vehicle accidents, and habitat loss. Through programs like Lights Out DC—which helps reduce bird deaths caused by window strikes—and Duck Watch, which monitors local duck families, City Wildlife plays a vital role in helping the city’s ecosystems stay balanced and healthy.

Students were particularly surprised to learn how biodiverse Washington, DC really is, with over 400 vertebrate species and thousands of invertebrates, plants, and fungi. They discussed how this biodiversity supports clean air, clean water, and even protection from flooding—benefits that all city residents depend on.

Ms. Dollen also shared practical ways everyone can help local wildlife: planting native species, keeping cats indoors, turning off outdoor lights at night, and safely contacting City Wildlife when an animal needs help.

For our students—who live and learn in the heart of the nation’s capital—this presentation brought science to life and reminded them that the city’s parks, rivers, and neighborhoods are part of a much larger, living community and helped reinforce for them their roles as stewards of the environment and engaged global citizens.

As one student put it, “I didn’t realize how many animals live right here with us—and how much we can do to help them.”