ROCKFORD, Ill. (WIFR) – The Rockford Regional Wildlife Coalition (RRWC) holds its first birds of prey, mammal meet and greet on Saturday.

RRWC rehabilitators and more than 500 guests gathered at the Midway Village Museum to take part in the first RRWC community engagement event.

RRWC is a non-profit that offers rehabilitation to wild animals with the goal of returning them to the wild. Wildlife rehabilitators work with the public providing valued awareness of wildlife, assist and educate community member’s through public outreach and education.

“We created this coalition to be able to get people the help that they need with wildlife conflicts immediately,” RRWC member Lisa Beardsworth says. “We’ve been really blessed to be able to help the community. Just for people to be able to come out and meet us, learn about animals and what we can do to help them.”

Various actives and meet and greets with ambassador animals from Northern Illinois Raptor Rehab & Education and Randall Oaks Zoo were featured at the event.

For more information about Rockford Regional Wildlife Coalition, visit its website or contact

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