Our Staff

The Alabama Wildlife Center is staffed by a dedicated group of animal enthusiasts.  They include:
 

Executive Director:

Elizabeth Wideman Bleiberg ( LBleiberg@awrc.org )

The Alabama Wildlife Center, a 30+ year-old rehabilitation hospital for orphaned and injured wildlife, announced June 16, 2008 the appointment of  Elizabeth Wideman Bleiberg [BLY-berg] to the position of Executive Director, effective immediately.  Ms. Bleiberg, a Birmingham native, has been active in nonprofit management and fund-raising in organizations in North Carolina, Kentucky, British Columbia (Canada), and Texas.  She returned to Alabama from Texas in fall, 2007 with her family, and was the choice of the executive search committee.  Ms. Bleiberg was formerly the Executive Director of the Heard Natural Science Museum and Wildlife Sanctuary in McKinney, TX.  “I am excited about the opportunities available for the Alabama Wildlife Center,” said Liz Bleiberg.  “My goal is to continue the mission of caring for Alabama’s increasingly vulnerable wildlife and to educate the people of Alabama about the state’s native wildlife, finding ways to encourage the involvement and support of people throughout the state.”
 

Animal Care, Education and Outreach Staff

Sandra Allinson, Director of Rehabilitation and Education

Sandra oversees the medical care program at the Wildlife Center and is responsible for planning and implementing animal care training for staff and volunteers.  Sandra also develops and coordinates the educational programming at the Center.  Sandra began working at the Alabama Wildlife Center in 1992 as a volunteer and has held various positions here, including Songbird Team Leader, Education Bird Coordinator and Assistant Rehabilitation Director.   She is a member of the National Wildlife Rehabilitators Association, the International Wildlife Rehabilitators Council and the International Association of Avian Trainers and Educators.
 

Katie Stubblefield, Clinic Manager and Avian Program Coordinator

Katie is responsible for the care of all avian species - other than birds of prey - during all stages of rehabilitation and she coordinates and oversees our Baby Bird Program.  Katie performs admissions evaluations and creates initial care protocols, manages intensive care and convalescent birds, and is responsible for release prep and planning.  Katie provides advice and assistance for hotline calls on a wide range of wildlife emergencies and works with other rehabilitation staff and volunteer veterinarians to create medical protocols for our patients of all species.  Katie works with a broad range of avian species, including wading birds, shorebirds, waterfowl and perching birds.  Katie has worked at the Wildlife Center since 2003.
 

Ariana Harris, Mammal Intern

Ana is responsible for the daily care of our mammal patients.  She performs admission exams, administers medical treatments, provides daily care and feeding for the animals and coordinates veterinary visits and release preparation plans.  Mammals routinely handled include white-tailed deer fawns, beaver, woodchucks, raccoons, bats, and red and grey foxes.  Armadillos, mink, otter, bobcat, coyotes, weasels and spotted skunks are received less frequently.  Ana has worked at the Alabama Wildlife Center since 2007.
 

Jessie Griswold, Raptor Program Coordinator

Jessie is responsible for the care of birds of prey during all stages of rehabilitation in order to prepare them to return to the wild when possible.  She performs raptor rescues and admissions evaluations, creates care protocols, manages intensive care and convalescent raptors, manages care of non-releasable raptors at Treetop Nature Trail and is responsible for release prep and planning.  Raptors routinely handled at the Center include Red-tailed Hawks, Red-shouldered Hawks, Broad-winged Hawks, Cooper’s Hawks, Sharp-skinned Hawks, American Kestrels, Black Vultures, Turkey Vultures, Great Horned Owls, Barred Owls, Screech Owls, Barn Owls, Peregrine Falcons, and Mississippi Kites, among others.
 

Lee McDonald, Outreach Coordinator  (LMcdonald@awrc.org )

Lee is responsible for managing the Center’s Wildlife Hotline, educating callers about proper handling of injured or orphaned animals, and coordinating the logistics of our raptor rescue program.  She is also responsible for scheduling and leading group tours, for scheduling volunteer work shifts, leading volunteer orientations, and for preparing our volunteer e-newsletter.  Lee has significant experience in our clinic; she assists with clinic operations when needed and is a member of our education bird team.  For a number of years, Lee has served as our volunteer shift supervisor for the clinic one night each week.  Lee began working at the Wildlife Center as a volunteer and has been on staff since 2003.  She is a member of the National Wildlife Rehabilitators Association.
 

Jan Bellows, Hotline Assistant

Gail McMahon, Hotline Assistant
 

Administrative Staff

Debbie Battles, Operations Manager

Debbie is responsible for managing the Center’s financial affairs, personnel files, and facilities.  She also works with our development staff to create and manage the Center’s annual calendar of events and serves as event coordinator for all of the Center’s fundraising events and activities.  Debbie has worked at the Alabama Wildlife Center since 2005.

Janet Byars, Development Assistant

Janet manages the Center’s day to day development and membership activities and communications and the Center’s website.  She also supports the Center’s grant related activities and assists with special events and public relations.  Janet has worked at the Alabama Wildlife Center since 1997.               

Pam Cooper, Administrative Assistant

Pam is a long time volunteer at the Alabama Wildlife Center who became a full time employee in 2007.  Pam is responsible for maintaining our records and calendars, managing office communications and assisting with financial management, events and outreach.  As a volunteer, Pam gained significant experience in our clinic and she continues to help with animal care as needed.  Pam also works with our education birds.