This is a great organization that takes in injured and orphaned wildlife. They have lots of dedicated volunteers and a passionate knowledgeable staff that work hard to return the animals to nature. Those that cannot be returned due to injuries, live at the facility and the public can visit them. Great organization providing a very needed service in our community. I am proud to serve on the Board of this organization.
I have volunteered here for 10 months and have learned so much. BTN and everyone who works there dedicate so much of their lives to helping animals and it has changed my life for the better witnessing it myself and being a part of it.
I witnessed a bird fly into the window at the preschool I worked at. We called around and BTN advised us that we could bring the bird in for help. They identified it as a migratory bird and told us it didn't look good for survival. BTN asked if we would like to pick up the bird and bring it back to the preschool for release. Unfortunately the bird did not survive but we were impressed with BTN and their ease to work with and passion for helping animals!
I just love Back to Nature Wildlife, Inc. Every time I have brought in a injured animal, whether it was a bird, racoon, squirrel or opossum. They have always helped me with the animals. I don't know what I would do without them. I'd be lost for sure. They do so much more by educating the community about our wildlife. They are a necessity to our Central Florida Area with all the land being taken away from our wildlife. More injured wildlife is being seen.
Have been here multiple times and is always amazing seeing the animals and how well they are cared for. The people here work very hard while also being educational and compassionate. The tortoises are living their best lives with yummy salad plates see every time
I brought in an injured sandhill crane. It has fishhooks in it's legs, and was unable to walk or fly due to fishing line entanglement. Back to Nature took the injured bird in on a weekend, when I was unable to contact any wildlife care center. A real person answered the phone. When I arrived, I was met by Deb Helsel, curator of the facility. She carefully secured the injured animal out of the box that I had it in, and brought it inside, removed the hooks and line, cleaned the wounds, and administered medication. She was extremely knowledgeable and kind. A few days later, I called and got status updates on the bird. It was eventually released to Sea World of Orlando for additional care. Without the quick response and knowledge of the volunteers and staff at Back to Nature, this beautiful creature would have died because of fishing litter caused by humans. I am so thankful for BTN and their volunteers and staff for being a part of the solution!!
I have rescued Sandhill cranes, possums, songbirds and turtles and they are always there for me to take them there where they receive loving care❤️
This place is an absolute treasure. I’ve never been to their actual facilities but have had to call on them twice. Once I had a black racer get stuck in a glue trap in our garage and one of their volunteers helped me free them by suggesting I pour olive oil on them to get them loose. Another time I called out of concern for a young raccoon wandering our gated neighborhood and they helped assure me it was okay, just put searching for food and I alerted the rest of the neighborhood to help keep an eye out so it didn’t get hurt. An absolute treasure of people who truly want to help wild animals, very friendly and knowledgeable.
I've been a patron to the Back to Nature wildlife walk as well as concerned citizen with an injured, sick, or orphaned animal on a number of occasions. Every experience with staff members and the facility has been pleasant. The determination to make a real difference in our community is palpable during fundraising events, wildlife intake, educational experiences, and even during solo walks around the refuge. Back to Nature fills a great need in Orlando and does so with resourcefulness and humility.
We learned of Back to Nature years ago when my wife called me crying after seeing an injured young Sandhills Crane in the median of Heintzelman Blvd with the parents next to it on her way to work. I called Orange County Animal Control who referred me to BTN. They found and rescued the injured bird, nursed it to health and sent it to SEAWORLD to join others in the bird encounter for its life. We visited the old BTN location on Highway 50 in Bithlo to see the bird but it had already gone to SEAWORLD. We were fascinated with the endeavors of Back to Nature Wildlife Refuge in saving, caring and nurturing injured or abandoned wildlife. We joined as members a short time later and have visited many times with our children and grandchildren including a number of their special events and fundraisers. We have referred others with wildlife in need of care. We will continue to support BTN with our membership and continue our visits with our grandkids and friends.
Not only is Back to Nature Wildlife Refuge an amazing animal rescue, rehabilitation and release organization, but their efforts to educate the community about local wildlife, conservation and our environment is outstanding! From local festivals to educational classes and field trips, the refuge is a "must-see", especially if you have little ones!
Back to Nature Wildlife Refuge is an amazing nonprofit! They do great things here. I'm always so impressed every time I visit or attend one of their events. My kids also love visiting. The animals are well loved and the employees are very knowledgeable about each and every animal. My kids learn something new each time they visit. Not only is it a fun activity to do with the kiddos but also very educational. Keep up the good work!!
I have been involved with Back to Nature for the past 12 years. The staff of people that operate this program are the most passionate and dedicated group I have ever met. They have grown this refuge from a small plot of land next to a junkyard to a big, beautiful facility out near Moss Park. If you have not had the opportunity to visit the refuge, you are missing out on one of Florida's greatest adventures. Take the beautiful drive out to the facility and enjoy seeing the wide array of animals that the Back to Nature team have successfully rehabilitated. You will walk away with a whole new appreciation for our native wildlife.
This is an excellent organization who is passionate about rehabilitating wildlife. They have an excellent staff and volunteer base.
Back to nature staff and volunteers tirelessly work to rehabilitate injured wildlife so that they are able to be released back into the wild. They also tried to educate visitors and children on the benefits of preserving our wildlife resources.
Back To Nature is a wonderful organization with an amazing staff and volunteer group. They put an incredible amount of heart and passion into their mission of rescuing, raising, rehabilitating and releasing over 3,000 animals each year, which is a 24/7 responsibility. On top of this mission, they also serve as a permanent home to the animals that are unable to be released back to the wild due to their injuries. These animals serve as educational ambassadors that Back to Nature uses to educate the public about Florida's native wildlife. Visitors can see these educational ambassadors up close by visiting the refuge and taking a stroll along it's wildlife walk. Community involvement is also important to the organization and they hold many events each year that are designed to bring the community out to the refuge for a variety of fun and family-oriented activities. They even host a farmers market each Saturday morning. Back To Nature is an excellent choice for a local weekend outing! I am lucky to have the opportunity to volunteer for such an amazing group!
Back to Nature Wildlife Refuge rescues over 3,000 animals per year. They teach the community how to interact with nature and about nature. There are animal ambassadors that people can visit and learn about. An amazing organization, well loved by the community, with very dedicated staff and volunteers! Well worth a visit!
Back to Nature is an amazing organization. The dedicated staff and volunteers are absolutely devoted to rescuing, raising, rehabilitating and release injured and orphaned Florida native wildlife. They have a great variety of non-releasable animals known as educational ambassadors that help educate the community about our native wildlife. Take a stroll down the wildlife walk and you can see and learn about other species such as ring-tailed lemurs and even an arctic fox. What a great place to visit.
Dedicated staff and volunteers do an excellent job rehabilitating and releasing wildlife and educating the community about wildlife. They have a fabulous facility located on over 200 acres of conservation land. Where can you go to see a bobcat up close? You can here, they have 2! You can see the animal ambassadors (non-releasable wildlife residents) in their habitats, learn about wildlife, hike to Lake Hart or on the numerous trails on surrounding properties- Eagles Roost and Split Oak. Very family friendly and the kids will love it! I admire their dedication.
Working with animals including exotics for the last 10 years has allowed me to see a wide range of facilities. Back To Nature is one of the top facilities that I have come across in the state of Florida. Their dedication is unsurpassed in the rehab field. There facility is top notch.
I adore this group. They are very knowledgeable and dedicated to rescuing wild animals and releasing them back into the wild. They have a core group of fabulous volunteers and graciously teach schoolchildren about Florida's indigenous wild animals. If I lived closer, I'd volunteer there in a heartbeat.
I brought a baby armadillo in to the rescue yesterday and they took him right away to someone who has had experience with these delicate creatures. Later in the day our dog found his brother and again I drove him out to the rescue and they took him in quickly. I saw hard working volunteers who care very much about the babies and adult animals in their care. This is one of the oldest wildlife rescues in our area and I am thankful they were there for these and the other Spring babies.