November 2020 | Volume 14 | Issue 3
280LIVING.COM
THE 280 CORRIDOR’S COMMUNITY NEWS SOURCE
FOR THE BIRDS
Alabama Wildlife Center takes on rehab, conservation, education for feathered friends By LEAH INGRAM EAGLE Nestled up a hill in the woods of Oak Mountain State Park sits one of the state’s oldest and largest wildlife rehabilitation and conservation education centers. The Alabama Wildlife Center receives almost 2,000 birds from more than 100 different species that it helps rehab back to health and eventually release back into the wild. If a bird’s injuries prevent it from being released, it will become a permanent resident and possibly an education raptor. In the past, the center was mainly focused on rehabilitation, but it now has a dual focus on rehab along with environmental education, to create a greater appreciation for wildlife resources. It works to heighten the public’s awareness and appreciation of Alabama’s native wildlife. Founded in 1977 as a small, home-based, all-volunteer organization, the AWC has spent the past 43 years serving thousands of native birds and wild animals.
See AWC | page A30 A Eurasian eagle owl finds its balance on the glove of Andrew Arnold, the director of education and outreach, at the Alabama Wildlife Center at Oak Mountain State Park. The Alabama Wildlife Center’s Eurasian eagle owl — the largest owl species in the world — is one of the educational birds that was brought to the center after being kept as a pet. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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Sports.................B4 Events................B17 Metro Roundup...B26 Faith................. B29 Real Estate..... B30 Calendar............B31
Oak Mountain Missions continues its calling to help others in need By LEAH INGRAM EAGLE
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Mary Sue Ludwig moved to the community in 1992 to be a young socialite, but she says ‘it didn’t work out that way.’
See page B12
Located in a large brick building off Pelham Parkway in Pelham, Oak Mountain Missions exists to demonstrate the love of Christ by providing food, clothing, furniture and financial assistance to those in need in Shelby County and the greater Birmingham area. Oak Mountain Missions “works to bring love to those who feel they are not loved and share with the needy just as the Lord shares with us.” The mission assisted more than 6,900 families last year. Its total estimated cost for that assistance in 2019 was more than $1.6 million, done with help from donations and church partners.
See MISSIONS | page A29
Judy Murray selects bread varieties as she prepares bags of dry goods at Oak Mountain Missions Ministries in Pelham. Photo by Erin Nelson.