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Our Story
Working under a state of Mississippi wildlife rehabilitation permit, Something Wild saves native wildlife, with a special focus on the North American Beaver. We provide the extensive, long-term, and specialized care this keystone species requires. Our 35-acre Beaver Sanctuary in rural Hancock County serves as a safe haven for orphaned infant beavers and injured adults. They receive the care they need to thrive before being released on the property. In addition to rehabilitation, under the direction of MSU’s Assistant Research Professor Dr. Holley Muraco, the beavers contribute to research including behavior, physiology, veterinary care, and ecology. We currently have outdoor animal enclosures to meet the needs of one subadult and one adult beaver under our care.
For this grant submission
We are asking for assistance with Phase 1 including the purchase of a commercial washer and dryer, running an electric line to the shed and barn, a tankless water heater, two additional cages and 1 additional pool.
Board of Directors
Holley Muraco,
CEO
Deanna Rowland,
CFO
Mike Muraco,
Director of Operations
Kyle Poole,
Director
The Beaver Sanctuary Project
The Beaver Sanctuary Project has three phases to ensure each beaver receives the specialized
care they need. The following describes our short and long-term phases, goals and objectives.
Phase 1.
Located within a reinforced perimeter fence, there are two 8×20 cages
with wire tops and bottoms and a 400-gallon metal pool with a drain. These enclosures provide a safe and secure place for young or injured beavers to grow and become healthy. Goals. Add one additional 8×16 enclosure with a 400-gallon pool to increase our capacity for beavers. Remodel an ~10×30 shed to create a small hospital and indoor animal care space. Remodel an 8-stall barn into additional wildlife holding areas, laundry facility and food storage. Objectives include increasing capacity to house up to 10 beavers as part of phase 1. Run electricity and water to the shed and barn in addition to a full restoration/remodel. Purchase commercial washer and dryer.
Phase 2.
We aim to convert ~5 acres of overgrown scrub brush and pines into a soft release site for beavers preparing for release. Goals. Have a soft release site that is close to the barn for observation and to continue daily feeding and care. Objectives. We need to forest mulch the area, grade the land, build a 0.5 acre pond and fence it in with reinforced goat fencing.
Phase 3.
We have a ~ 3-acre pond surrounded by wetlands and forests to serve as the release location. Goals. Have the release site be a demonstration site to show how non-lethal beaver mitigation practices can be effective, including a dock, small cabin, and trails. Beaver observation site. Objectives. We need to do some restoration around the pond, including some land grading and forest mulching, cut trails, build an observation dock, and eventually build a small cabin/airbnb that will be used for fundraising.
With Your Help, We are Making The World a Better Place
Join Us in Protecting This Keystone Species
The North American Beaver is a powerful ally in our fight against climate change and environmental degradation. At Something Wild, we are committed to protecting and understanding this incredible species through our dedicated efforts in wildlife rehabilitation and conservation research. By supporting our mission, you can help ensure that beavers continue to thrive and perform their essential role in maintaining healthy, resilient ecosystems.
The Beaver Sanctuary
Our Mission & Approach
Something Wild’s mission is to rescue, rehabilitate, and release Mississippi’s native wildlife, with a special focus on the North American Beaver. Through our commitment to research,
conservation, and outreach, we aim to foster a deeper understanding and appreciation of
Mississippi’s wildlife. Having healthy ecosystems and wildlife will benefit human health and
well-being.
Project impact
Although in its infancy, The Something Wild program impacts the local community and broader environmental health through its multifaceted approach to wildlife conservation, outreach, and research. The presence of our 35-acre Beaver Sanctuary in Hancock County offers a tangible, local example of how wildlife conservation efforts can be integrated into community life. With a rapidly growing online following across YouTube and Instagram, our work reaches and educates a wide audience about the importance of wildlife preservation and the intricate connections between healthy ecosystems and human well-being.
By focusing on the rescue, rehabilitation, and release of Mississippi’s native wildlife, particularly
the North American Beaver, we are not only safeguarding a keystone species but also
contributing to vital research that assesses environmental health—a critical factor influencing
human health.
How effectiveness is measured
Something Wild measures effectiveness via social media reach through Dr. Holley Muraco’s YouTube and Instagram.
YouTube Subscribers
YouTube analytics from the past 28 days include 1.5 million views, 43.8k hours of watch time, 7.3K new subscribers and 40,075 total subscribers.
Instagram followers
Instagram analytics from the past 90 days include 13.4 million accounts reached, 1.6 million accounts engaged, and 37.2K followers. The most popular reel has over 7 million views, and 9 posts have over 1 million views.
Understanding the Role of the North American Beaver in Combating Climate Change:
An initiative by Something Wild
The North American Beaver (Castor canadensis) is more than just an iconic species of North America’s waterways; it is a keystone species with a profound impact on ecosystems and climate resilience. As we face the escalating threats of climate change, wildfires, and the need for effective carbon sequestration, understanding the beaver’s role becomes increasingly vital.
Our nonprofit, Something Wild, is dedicated to advancing this understanding through wildlife rehabilitation and conservation research.
Climate Change and Carbon Sequestering
Beavers are natural engineers whose dam-building activities create wetlands, ponds, and riparian habitats that enhance carbon sequestration. Wetlands are among the most effective ecosystems for capturing and storing carbon, often called “carbon sinks.” By slowing down water flow and promoting sediment deposition, beaver dams help accumulate organic matter that traps carbon in the soil, reducing the amount of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere.
Furthermore, these wetlands support diverse plant life, contributing to further carbon capture through photosynthesis. Studies have shown increased levels of carbon storage in areas where beaver populations are thriving, which directly mitigates the impacts of climate change.
Wildfire Control
Beavers play an unexpected but crucial role in wildfire control. The ponds and wetlands created by beaver dams help maintain high moisture levels in surrounding areas, acting as natural firebreaks. During droughts or periods of high fire risk, these water-rich environments provide a refuge for wildlife and reduce the likelihood of fires spreading rapidly. Recent research has highlighted numerous instances where landscapes with active beaver populations experienced less damage from wildfires than those without these keystone species.
How Something Wild is Making a Difference
At Something Wild, we recognize the North American Beaver’s importance in fostering resilient
ecosystems that benefit both wildlife and human communities.
Our organization focuses on:
1. Wildlife Rehabilitation: We rescue and rehabilitate injured or orphaned beavers,
providing them with the care and support they need to return to their natural habitats. By
releasing healthy individuals back into the wild, we help maintain stable and thriving
beaver populations.
2. Conservation Research: We conduct research to better understand the ecological
impacts of beaver activity on local environments. This includes studying their role in
carbon sequestration, wetland creation, and wildfire prevention. Our research helps
inform land management practices and conservation strategies that leverage the
beaver’s natural behaviors for broader environmental benefits.
3. Community Engagement: We work with local communities, landowners, and
policymakers to promote the importance of beaver conservation. Through educational
outreach and collaborative projects, we aim to foster a greater appreciation for this
remarkable species and its role in climate resilience.
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Get In Touch
ADDRESS:
PO Box 789
Kiln, MS 39556
Email: [email protected]