• Three wildlife rescue nonprofits received $25,000 each from the NextEra Energy Foundation and Florida Power & Light Company to support baby wildlife care during the peak season.
• Nonprofit directors emphasize their missions depend on corporate partners like NextEra Energy Foundation and FPL.
• The timely gifts plus supplies and food donations demonstrate the power of community partnerships.
• To help, visit Panhandle Wildlife Rescue, Wildlife Animal Sanctuary of Northwest Florida, Emerald Coast Wildlife Refuge.

PENSACOLA, Fla. — Staff and volunteers in the three wildlife rescue centers in Northwest Florida are tirelessly answering the chirps, coos and squeals of their most vulnerable patients.

Baby wildlife season is in full swing, and the centers are overflowing with tiny raccoons, birds, opossums, squirrels, owls, songbirds and hawks demanding unwavering attention from the small but passionate teams.

At this critical time when the centers are overwhelmed with sick, injured and abandoned baby wildlife, much needed support has arrived in the form of generous gifts from the NextEra Energy Foundation (NEE Foundation), a corporate charitable foundation of NextEra Energy Inc. and Florida Power & Light Company (FPL).

The NEE Foundation has provided each of the three wildlife rescue and rehabilitation nonprofits a gift of $25,000 to help them provide the urgent care needed during the spring influx of baby wildlife.

The recipients of the donations are:

• Wildlife Sanctuary of Northwest Florida in Pensacola
• Emerald Coast Wildlife Refuge in Navarre
• Panhandle Wildlife Rescue in Freeport

Pascal Robin, executive director for Emerald Coast Wildlife Rescue, emphasized the urgent need for the NextEra Energy Foundation’s donation.

“We’ve already cared for more than 850 wildlife patients this year at our center alone,” Robin said. “This generous support strengthens the medical care we provide for both juvenile and adult animals, while also enhancing the overall health of our region’s ecosystem.”

Robin expressed her gratitude to the NEE Foundation and FPL for their support of all three wildlife centers. “Together, we’re making a meaningful difference for the natural world,” Robin said. “As a frontline resource, we’re often the first to detect signs of disease or other concerns affecting local wildlife.”

Emily Holden, director of the Wildlife Animal Sanctuary in Northwest Florida, highlighted the grant’s crucial role to a growing demand for their services as natural habitats shrink with increased residential and commercial development.

“We thank NextEra Energy Foundation and FPL for the grant that will help us take care of the 4,000 animals we anticipate coming in this year. Way more than we’ve ever had,” Holden said. “We also are planning a future move to get us out of a flood zone, and this is a huge step in that direction to get us in a new home.”

Shelby Robinson, CEO of Panhandle Wildlife Rescue, expressed gratitude, saying, "The funds come at a crucial time, empowering us to rescue and rehabilitate an increasing number of injured and orphaned wildlife.”

Mostly rescued by wildlife-loving citizens, the native wildlife come from nearly every county in Northwest Florida to these three nonprofits that operate on donations or sponsorships. Each of the nonprofits will take in from 2,000 to 4,000 wildlife patients this year with the goal of releasing them back into their native habitats. 

J.T. Young, FPL vice president and general manager of the Northwest region, stressed that it’s vital to support the missions of nonprofits.

“We aim to demonstrate our unwavering commitment to powering stronger communities and supporting the causes that matter most to our customers,” said Young. “Wildlife conservation is a core value for many in Northwest Florida, and we are honored to support initiatives that align with these priorities.”

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