COMMUNITY
The future for Oaken Acres is incredibly
exciting. Just this year, Stelford was
approved for a special permit to care
for endangered and threatened species
based on her experience and facilities.
Gerbitz’s efforts include developing
offsite public educational programs,
rejuvenating programs previously done
by Stelford who now devotes energy
elsewhere within the organization.
Christy Gerbitz with Stinky, the screech owl, who was rescued by a Waste
Management worker. With damage to both eyes from head trauma, he’s
unreleasable and is used for Oaken Acres’ educational programs.
to continue to serve DeKalb County, lots
of changes were needed. Admissions
were increasing yearly and the caging at
Oaken Acres required some much-needed
rehab. A more efficient clinical center to
care for the 500-plus orphans each year
was a necessity. More staff, along with
interns and volunteers, was necessary.
Gerbitz said, “Updating and expanding
Oaken Acres is a daunting task, but
Kathy’s clear vision for the future and
enthusiasm is inspiring to myself, as
well as all of Oaken Acres supporters.
Kathy always keeps our goal in sharp
focus. The goal is to help wildlife in
need and return them to the wild.”
“All I ever really wanted to do was raise
orphans and rehab injured wildlife,”
Stelford said. “All of the managerial stuff
wasn’t appealing to me but I could see
we needed to do this for our future. With
Christy as my partner, we made a plan
for renovations, new cages, staff hiring
and getting ready for spring orphans.”
As part of the changes underway,
the Oaken Acres board of directors
increased in size and expertise. Much
of the funding for improvements
came from a bequest left to Oaken
Acres when Rebecca Ward Espe
died. There’s a plaque honoring
her in the Care Center.
The Greenwood Acres fawn that was hit
by a car last year and left for dead.
His story was in both local papers.
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DEKALB COUNT Y I NV I R O NM ENTS M AGA Z I NE • M A R C H- A P R IL 20 14
Everyone was charged with furthering
the same mission summed up in three
words that had become Stelford’s
personal tagline, “Every life matters.”
She even authored, photographed and
published a book in 2008 with that title.
“Christy and I were pretty anxious
about the 2013 baby season. It