SYCAMORE – Kathy Stelford, founder and president of Oaken Acres Wildlife Center, has been elected to a four-year term on the board of directors of the National Wildlife Rehabilitators Association (NWRA). Stelford, along with director of operations Christy Gerbitz and board member Lisa Gurman, returned recently from the NWRA annual conference.

“This is a huge honor and challenge for me,” said Stelford. “I decided it was time for me to share my knowledge and experience learned in DeKalb County with other independent rehabilitators who started their own centers like I did with Oaken Acres."

The NWRA is the largest organization in the world dedicated to helping wildlife rehabilitators help wildlife. It was established in 1982 by a committed group of Illinois rehabilitators and boasts a membership of almost 2,000. Its main focus is to support wildlife rehabilitators through education, support and networking. The mission of the NWRA is to improve and promote the profession of wildlife rehabilitation and its contributions to preserving natural ecosystems.