This past spring, using a $5,000 grant from the Wisconsin Public Service Foundation, employee volunteers from Wisconsin Public Service (WPS) teamed up with Wild Instincts Rehabilitation Center in Rhinelander to construct a 100-foot by 20-foot eagle flight enclosure. The grant covered the cost of building materials.

WPS employees donated nearly 200 hours to complete the project, just in time for the center’s permanent eagle, Zhishay (Ojibwe for “uncle”), to take up residence. This summer, Zhishay foster-parented two eaglets brought to the center. They will be released this fall in southern Wisconsin.

WPS volunteers set 30 utility poles, donated by Michigan Tech’s research facility, to frame the enclosure and assisted with installing the side panels and roof netting. “This was our biggest volunteer project. It allowed us to use our skills while benefiting a great cause,” said Tee Jay Lansin, lead line electrician for WPS.

Mark Naniot, director of Wild Instincts said, “The dedication of the WPS volunteers to complete this project was outstanding. They were instrumental in getting Wild Instincts’ eagle flight enclosure built. We thank them, and the generations of eagles to benefit from this tremendous enclosure thank them.”

Wild Instincts is a non-profit wildlife rehabilitation center located north of Rhinelander. Operating from charitable donations, Wild Instincts has treated more than 470 animals of 82 different species so far this year. Wisconsin Public Service Foundation is a private, charitable foundation incorporated in 1964 that supports charities and organizations that need financial assistance. The foundation is funded by stockholders of the corporation, not by its electric and gas customers.