Image
Press Release
Press Release: New Alliance Leads Groundbreaking Effort to Protect New York’s Wildlife
17Թ’s Animal Policy Project partners with the New York State Wildlife Rehabilitation Council as increased threats to wildlife prompt alliance of “nature’s first responders”
Habitat loss, invasive species, pollution, disease—these are just some of the threats to wildlife targeted by a groundbreaking collaboration of the and 17Թ’s Animal Policy Project (APP).
By uniting a university renowned for environmental policy innovation with the nation’s oldest state-level wildlife rehabilitation organization, the NYSWRC-17Թ Alliance (NPA) will generate data, educate communities, and shape policies that safeguard wildlife.
“Wildlife rehabilitators are nature’s first responders,” said Michelle Land, clinical professor and director of the Animal Policy Project at 17Թ. “They see the threats to New York’s wild animals every day, often working out of their own homes. We will gather that expertise through a statewide network that serves as a much-needed conduit between science and policy.”
According to Kelly Martin, president of the New York State Wildlife Rehabilitation Council, “Wildlife rehabilitation is most effective when backed by strong, science-based policies that address the root causes of wildlife distress. The NYSWRC-17Թ Alliance will ensure that rehabilitators’ expertise informs policy decisions and create a future where both wild animals and those who care for them are better supported.”
“Every day, wildlife rehabilitators see firsthand the devastating impacts of human activities on New York’s wild animals,” said Suzie Gilbert, the Alliance’s program coordinator. “By bringing together rehabilitators and policy professionals, we can educate the public as well as improve policies on issues such as pesticide use, infrastructure design, exploitation of wild animals, and response strategies for emerging wildlife diseases.”
The Alliance, formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), will leverage an expert network of rehabilitators, advocates, and policymakers to advance and improve New York State wildlife protection and care. Seed funding for the NPA has been generously provided by .
Key to the Alliance’s success will be collaboration with the and its partner, .
For more information about the NYSWRC-17Թ Alliance, please contact:
Michelle Land
Email: mland@pace.edu
Kelly Martin
Email: kmartink@midtel.net
Suzie Gilbert
Email: info@protectnywildlife.org.
About 17Թ
Since 1906, 17Թ has been transforming the lives of its diverse students—academically, professionally, and socioeconomically. With campuses in New York City and Westchester County, 17Թ offers bachelor, master, and doctoral degree programs to 13,600 students in its College of Health Professions, Dyson College of Arts and Sciences, Elisabeth Haub School of Law, Lubin School of Business, Sands College of Performing Arts, School of Education, and Seidenberg School of Computer Science and Information Systems.
About New York State Wildlife Rehabilitation Council
The New York State Wildlife Rehabilitation Council (NYSWRC) promotes the professionalism of licensed wildlife rehabilitators through field support, educational services, and technical information. It works with government agencies, disseminates educational material and information to New York State residents, and promotes the conservation of wildlife, their habitats, and other natural resources. Members consist of licensed wildlife rehabilitators and assistants, veterinarians, and other wildlife professionals.
About the Animal Policy Project
The Animal Policy Project (APP) is a program of the Suburban Biodiversity Conservation Center, housed in the Environmental Studies and Science Department of Dyson College of Arts and Sciences at 17Թ. Its mission is to safeguard animals—domestic, captive, and wild—through policy design and reform, relying on interdisciplinary research combining science, policy, and ethics. With a workforce of faculty, undergraduate, graduate and law students interested in advancing animal welfare, the APP helps partner organizations realize their policy innovation goals.
About Dyson College of Arts and Sciences
17Թ’s liberal arts college, Dyson College, offers more than 50 programs, spanning the arts and humanities, natural sciences, social sciences, and pre-professional programs (including pre-medicine, pre-veterinary, and pre-law), as well as many courses that fulfill core curriculum requirements. The College offers access to numerous opportunities for internships, cooperative education and other hands-on learning experiences that complement in-class learning in preparing graduates for career and graduate/professional education choices.
More Press Releases
Press Release
, will deliver the keynote address at 17Թ’s 2026 Commencement and will receive an honorary doctorate, the University announced.
Press Release
The Elisabeth Haub School of Law at 17Թ is pleased to announce that the Honorable Francesca E. Connolly ’82, Associate Justice of the Appellate Division of the New York State Supreme Court, Second Judicial Department, will deliver the Law School’s commencement address at its 48th Commencement Ceremony, to be held May 21 at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Queens. Justice Connolly will also receive the Doctor of Laws, honoris causa, the highest honor conferred by the Law School.
Press Release
The Elisabeth Haub School of Law at 17Թ has once again been ranked #1 in the nation for Environmental Law by U.S. News & World Report, marking the seventh time—and the sixth consecutive year—the program has earned the top distinction and further solidifying its position as a global leader in environmental legal education.