What the Fox Wildlife Rescue Hits the Road with New Highway Adoption and First Community Cleanup

What the Fox Wildlife Rescue is taking its mission beyond the walls of its wildlife rehabilitation facility and into the community with the adoption of a highway stretch in Crystal River. The organization recently completed its first roadside cleanup, bringing volunteers together to help create a cleaner and safer environment for local wildlife.

Early in the morning, What the Fox volunteers put on their safety vests, grabbed their gloves and worked together to remove litter from the organization’s adopted stretch of highway.

“Wildlife rescue doesn’t always happen inside a rehabilitation facility,” said Kristi Hill, Executive Director of What the Fox Wildlife Rescue. “Sometimes, protecting wildlife means getting out into our community and preventing problems before an animal ever needs to be rescued.”

Litter Can Put Wildlife at Risk

Roadside trash can create more than an eyesore. Food scraps, fast-food containers, cups, wrappers and other discarded items can attract wildlife to areas near busy roadways.

Raccoons, opossums, squirrels, birds and other animals may be drawn to roadsides in search of food. When wildlife congregates near traffic, the potential for vehicle-related injuries and fatalities increases. Litter can also attract smaller animals, which may bring predators and birds of prey closer to busy roads.

By removing trash, What the Fox hopes to reduce these potential attractants while making the community cleaner and safer.

The highway adoption also supports the organization’s W.E.A.R. Program — Wildlife Education, Advocacy and Rehabilitation.

The cleanup represents the “A” for Advocacy in the program.

“Wildlife advocacy isn’t only about speaking up. It’s about taking action,” Hill said. “We can rehabilitate an injured animal and give it a second chance—but if we can prevent that animal from being injured in the first place, that’s an even bigger win.”

Volunteers Make the Difference

What the Fox Wildlife Rescue expressed its appreciation to the volunteers who participated in the inaugural cleanup, noting that their dedication demonstrates the important role community members play in wildlife conservation.

The organization plans to continue caring for its adopted stretch of highway and encourages members of the community to recognize that even something as simple as properly disposing of trash can make a difference for wildlife.

Residents who see What the Fox volunteers working along their adopted highway are encouraged to give them a wave—and remember: Don’t toss it. Don’t leave it. Wildlife may pay the price for it.

About What the Fox Wildlife Rescue

What the Fox Wildlife Rescue is dedicated to helping wildlife through education, advocacy and rehabilitation. Through its W.E.A.R. Program, the organization works to educate the community, advocate for wildlife and provide care and rehabilitation for animals in need.

The organization’s highway adoption is another way What the Fox Wildlife Rescue is putting its mission into action—working not only to help injured wildlife, but also to prevent injuries whenever possible.

What The Fox Wildlife Rescue is a nonprofit 501(3)cwildlife rehabilitation organization dedicated to rescuing, rehabilitating, and releasing injured and orphaned wildlife while educating the public about coexistence and conservation.