2018 - A Year in Review

2018 was an eventful year here at Safe Haven Animal Discovery Experience. We accomplished some major projects: completing several animal exhibits, establishing two beehives on property, and completing renovations on more outbuildings. However, we also experienced a major setback with a direct hit by Hurricane Florence. The wind damage ended up undoing some of our previously finished projects, meaning we lost a lot of time and money having to do things over again, but thankfully we learned a lot about things we were doing right and things we could improve on for the next hurricane.

We started off the year by building some more animal exhibits around the periphery of the petting barn area. A chicken barn and yard was first on the list. It was built using a foundation of pallets in order to reuse and re-purpose old materials for a more environmentally friendly construction project.

Starting with a load of pallets. We were able to pick these up from a local business and save them from ending up in the landfill.

Starting with a load of pallets. We were able to pick these up from a local business and save them from ending up in the landfill.

Laying the foundation. Once is was level, we were able to run some boards as the base then build the rest from the rescued pallets.

Laying the foundation. Once is was level, we were able to run some boards as the base then build the rest from the rescued pallets.

Walls are completed. Framing in the door.

Walls are completed. Framing in the door.

Siding and a roof going up.

Siding and a roof going up.

Nesting boxes are made of reporposed materials too. These old milk cartons make great spots to lay eggs as they’re the right size and easy to clean. Two of the girls were so excited to try them out that you can see them both squeezing into a box on …

Nesting boxes are made of reporposed materials too. These old milk cartons make great spots to lay eggs as they’re the right size and easy to clean. Two of the girls were so excited to try them out that you can see them both squeezing into a box on the bottom.

Chickens are ready to move in!

Chickens are ready to move in!

 

Next on the agenda was fixing up the old block building. The entire roof had to be replaced. We were able to upgrade from a shingle roof to a metal one for more long-term stability. The cinder block walls were scraped free of the vines that had grown up on the sides and the holes were patched with cement. We then began construction on the interior and exterior animal holding areas around the outside. We transformed what was a carport style porch into an insulated, lighted, and heated room for tropical birds with a shift door leading to a large outdoor aviary exhibit. It is the perfect exhibit for birds that need warmer winter housing because it allows us to not only keep them warm in the winter months, but allow them easy access to the outside when warm weather allows. And because we don’t have to move them to another area over winter, it’s a stress-free transition between seasons.

Transforming the porch into a climate-controlled room for housing cold sensitive species.

Transforming the porch into a climate-controlled room for housing cold sensitive species.

Poles for the aviary exhibit going in.

Poles for the aviary exhibit going in.

Wire and natural perching are installed.

Wire and natural perching are installed.

 

The tortoise yard was the next project completed. We house 18 Burmese mountain tortoises here at Safe Haven. They are a rainforest species that love the hot, humid environments like we have here in North Carolina. A shy species of tortoise as juveniles, they also prefer shaded areas. So we were able to give them an exhibit with two huge crepe myrtle trees to keep them move comfortable and out of the direct sun. The exhibit is connected to the block building, which allows us to run electricity to their barn. The tortoise barn is heated and has a light source, which means they can stay warm and safe in their habitat during the cold spring and autumn nights and winter months, yet still be easily let out, even in winter, on days that the temperature is warm enough for them to be out safely. They really enjoy cruising around the large space and the yard is so large that it’s sometimes difficult to spot a tortoise, even with so many in the exhibit.

Building the exterior of the tortoise barn.

Building the exterior of the tortoise barn.

Barn is fully electrified and insulated. Finishing some posts for the fence before the tortoises move in.

Barn is fully electrified and insulated. Finishing some posts for the fence before the tortoises move in.

Couldn’t resist this picture of the crepe myrtle tree blossoms dropping in front of the tortoise barn in the spring. Those trees create the perfect shaded environment that Burmese mountain tortoises require.

Couldn’t resist this picture of the crepe myrtle tree blossoms dropping in front of the tortoise barn in the spring. Those trees create the perfect shaded environment that Burmese mountain tortoises require.

 

Fencing the perimeter of the exhibits was the next important step towards getting open. It is necessary to have a secure perimeter fence as well as a visitor barrier in order to prevent visitors from accidentally coming too close to our animal ambassadors. We installed a 6 foot wooden perimeter fence around some of the bird aviaries that will ultimately be in an off-exhibit back area. We also got the guest barrier installed in front of the aviary exhibit, got the chicken yard fenced in, and got another barnyard exhibit area started.

Perimeter and chicken yard fencing going up simultaneously.

Perimeter and chicken yard fencing going up simultaneously.

Public barrier going up in front of some aviary exhibits.

Public barrier going up in front of some aviary exhibits.

 

Throughout the winter and into spring we had participated in a local beekeeping course. At the end of the course, our co-founder took and passed the state exam making her a Certified Beekeeper in the state of North Carolina. Then in the early summer, we set up two hives on property and welcomed two colonies of honey bees to Safe Haven. These wonderful insects will not only help pollinate many plants within a five mile radius, but they will also be a valuable teaching tool by acting as ambassadors for their wild cousins when discussing the importance of insects and pollinators in our environment. Plus, the honey we will eventually harvest can be used as enrichment for the animals we care for.

After installing our first hive, the new bees are getting acquainted with their new home. The grass is used to plug the hole right as the bees are added because it discourages them from absconding yet is only temporary and easily removed by the bees.

After installing our first hive, the new bees are getting acquainted with their new home. The grass is used to plug the hole right as the bees are added because it discourages them from absconding yet is only temporary and easily removed by the bees.

When you inspect the hive, one of the things you are looking for is the presence of your queen. She’s present and accounted for during this inspection. She’s the one with the red dot on her abdomen.

When you inspect the hive, one of the things you are looking for is the presence of your queen. She’s present and accounted for during this inspection. She’s the one with the red dot on her abdomen.

 

September 2018 was a trying time here at Safe Haven Animal Discovery Experience. We got word that Hurricane Florence might be making landfall in North Carolina and started storm prep and keeping an eye on the radar. Sure enough, it looked like it was heading our way and we started implementing our hurricane preparedness plan in earnest. Animals were moved inside into sheltering areas, windows were boarded up, water was collected and stored all around the facility, generators were brought out, and our ride out team prepared to stay during the storm, and on the night of September 13th we received a direct hit from the hurricane that stalled over the property for two whole days. We lost power for four days. We were unable to travel off the property as roads all around were impassable. Gas stations were closed. Cell phone towers were down. The wind ripped pieces of roof off of our two big barn buildings, pushed down some of our fencing, and toppled trees. Yet thru it all, our staff and animals remained safe, due to our storm emergency planning.

There is a lot of cleaning up to do. And it’s not just us, the whole county will need time to recover from the devastating storm. It could take months to get insurance adjusters and contractors out to our property to give estimates and get claims processed. It was a huge blow to our momentum as we were now having to backtrack and replace things that may have just been built the months and weeks before. But in the end, we learned quite a bit about insurance processes and what things we needed to adjust with our coverage plans going forward. We also fell in love with the community even more after seeing their resilience and watching everyone come together to pitch in for the recovery efforts and are excited to be able to open and serve this unique and amazing community in the future.

Roof damage on the newly completed petting zoo barn.

Roof damage on the newly completed petting zoo barn.

Long barn damage - roof and posts were lost with this one.

Long barn damage - roof and posts were lost with this one.

Leaning perimeter fence which will need to be straightened.

Leaning perimeter fence which will need to be straightened.

Exciting Progress and Completed Renovations!

It's been quite the year here at Safe Haven Animal Discovery Experience!

We have made some exciting changes to the grounds, clearing up the landscape to make way for pathways and exhibits.  The overgrown weeds and brush that had overtaken the property have been removed and we've been tending the fields to encourage grass growth.  We've also started a compost pile so that we can reduce our carbon footprint, keep some trash from going to the landfill, and add some of the finished compost to the sandy soil in garden beds to grow our own browse and produce for the animals.    We also had to complete the renovations on the home that is on the property, so that we could finally get moved in here and no longer have to commute back and forth.  Once all those things were done, we finally got to move on to making some tangible changes to structures and buildings which will hold animals and exhibits.    

The biggest completed project, and the one that we're most proud of, is the completion of our Petting Barn renovation.  

Photo from March 2017, pre-renovation.

Photo from March 2017, pre-renovation.

As you can see, renovating the barn was a huge undertaking.  Luckily for us, while the outside structures looked a little rough, the building had "good bones" and a solid foundation.  Posts and beams were solid, the roof was salvageable, and the floor to the hayloft was in good condition.  Other then that, almost the entire barn got a makeover.  

We started by removing all the old timber boards on the outside of the building.  Next, we mapped out the first enclosure, put posts in, and installed the fencing.  We also replaced or reinforced exterior supports so that we could add the new walls back on.  

May 2017, walls and fences going up.

May 2017, walls and fences going up.

Once we got the new walls put up, we installed barn doors, a brand new sliding hay loft door, windows, and a fresh coat of paint.  We also replaced the missing tin on the roof and patched up all the holes in the existing metal.  All in all, the renovation took us about 6 months, as we were working nights and weekends to get the job done.  We couldn't have asked for a better result and are excited to move on to the other two buildings on the property that are in need of renovation.  

October 2017, finished Petting Barn renovation.

October 2017, finished Petting Barn renovation.

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We would like to give a huge Thank You to some of the local businesses that have donated to help make this possible: Walmart of Leland, Lowe's Foods, and Tractor Supply.  Your donations of food to help feed our animals has freed up funds to help make this renovation possible!

We Officially Received Our 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Status!

After weeks of filling out paperwork and months of waiting on our confirmation letter, we are excited to officially announce that the Safe Haven Animal Discovery Experience has been recognized as a non-profit organization by the IRS.  By being registered as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, all of the donations made to Safe Haven are tax deductible.  It also recognizes our mission to spend every dollar submitted towards the improvements on the facility, the maintenance of the animal exhibits, and the education objectives we have in the community.

Fundraising efforts for Phase One of development has officially kicked off.  Be on the lookout for Safe Haven Animal Discovery Experience representatives to be reaching out to members of our community for support in our mission.  Phase One includes basic but necessary facility improvements including the building of our perimeter fence, animal kitchen and food storage, new animal quarantine facilities, and hay, grain, and equipment storage facilities.  Phase One also includes the animal exhibits and attractions we plan to have available to the public on opening day, including but not limited to our Children's Petting Barn featuring friendly livestock, the Budgie Aviary with hundreds of free-flying birds, our Amazon Gardens exhibit with colorful macaws and tropical tortoises, and our Primate Complex with large, enriching exhibits for our simian friends.  Donations to any specific exhibit can be made directly on our webpage under the Sponsorship tab and all exhibit donors will be recognized for their contributions on a plaque on or near the exhibit upon completion.  

We have already made many connections within the zoological industry and have animals lined up, waiting to meet the Brunswick County community and call the Safe Haven Animal Discovery Experience home.  The first step is to get their homes ready for them.  

A big "Thank You" to everyone in the community who has expressed interest and support so far.  We are ready to get the ball rolling on our mission to Inspire, Empower, and Conserve!

Wild Regards!

 

Introducing the Safe Haven Animal Discovery Experience!

Safe Haven Animal Discovery Experience is pleased to announce our plans to bring a new, family friendly zoological experience to Brunswick County, North Carolina.  Located conveniently off of highway 211, between Southport and Supply, we have officially broken ground on this exciting project.  

Safe Haven Animal Discovery Experience invites visitors to "Step into the SHADE," where we encourage guests to be inspired by the natural world, empowered to make a difference in it, and contribute directly towards our conservation efforts with our Quarters for Conservation program.  

Mario and Meri Lawrence and bringing their combined experience of over 25 years in the animal industry home to North Carolina, as Mario grew up right here in Brunswick County. Mario's experience in zoological operations and formal primary education combined with Meri's experience in animal training and wildlife education presentations will bring a unique, hands-on educational opportunity to both locals and tourists alike.  A place where everyone's inner child can marvel at the natural wonders of our world and leave with a desire to make our planet better for future generations.  

We invite you to follow our progress on this journey.  Those of you wishing to donate to facility construction can do so directly on our webpage.  We also offer sponsorship opportunities for those wishing to contribute directly to a certain species or exhibit.  

Be sure to "like" us on Facebook to follow our progress there as well!

Thanks so much for checking us out.  We hope to see you soon.  

-Safe Haven Animal Discovery Experience-

Inspire.  Empower.  Conserve.