Meet Emily Davenport | Founder and Executive Director

We had the good fortune of connecting with Emily Davenport and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Emily, can you talk to us a bit about the social impact of your business?
At the Rocky Mountain Wildlife Alliance, our mission is to elevate the care and protection of wildlife by fostering a sense of community and collaboration through the Alliance. We are a nonprofit wildlife hospital and rehabilitation center that cares for injured, orphaned, and diseased wildlife with the goal to release healthy animals back into their native habitat. Our area of interest and expertise is birds of prey, but we care for wildlife as small as hummingbirds and as large as bobcats. We do a lot in our community – we like to say, “We are for people, professionals, and wildlife!”

For People: We help foster a better understanding of wildlife by working directly with the public through educational outreach, conservation projects, and human-wildlife conflict resolution. We are committed to raising awareness and promoting education about wildlife and the importance of coexisting with nature. Through various outreach programs, public events, and educational initiatives, we engage with the community to foster a deeper understanding of wildlife conservation, habitat protection, and responsible interaction with our animal neighbors. By empowering individuals with knowledge and understanding, we inspire them to become advocates for wildlife, leading to positive behavioral changes and a greater appreciation for the natural world.

For Professionals: Knowledge sharing is important to us! We provide wildlife professionals with continuing education, professional development, operational resources, and a professional support network. We are an inclusive group of professionals and welcome all forms of scientifically proven techniques. We are committed to environmental stewardship, best practices in wildlife rehabilitation, science-based education, and promoting the highest standards throughout the profession and in the community. Every year we host an annual conference for professionals that has a worldwide reach.

For Wildlife: We work to elevate the care and protection of wildlife and their ecosystems through our wildlife hospital and rehabilitation center. We focus on conservation and Biodiversity by rehabilitating injured, orphaned, and sick wildlife, we actively contribute to the conservation of species and the preservation of biodiversity. Our efforts ensure that these animals receive the necessary care, treatment, and rehabilitation to ultimately be released back into their natural habitats. This not only helps individual animals but also contributes to the overall health and balance of ecosystems and our community.

Our wildlife rehabilitation nonprofit has a profound social impact by actively contributing to conservation, raising awareness, and engaging the community. Through our work, we strive to create a world where wildlife thrives, ecosystems flourish, and humans coexist harmoniously with the natural environment.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
It was a long road to get to where I am today – and it wasn’t always easy. My wildlife rehabilitation career started 12 years ago and has been a journey filled with passion, perseverance, and overcoming obstacles. What sets me apart from others is my unwavering commitment to challenging the status quo and promoting inclusivity in my field. I am deeply proud and excited about the strides I have made in breaking down barriers and creating a more accessible and diverse wildlife rehabilitation community.

Getting to where I am today professionally was not an easy path. I encountered gatekeeping within the field, where certain individuals and institutions sought to maintain control and limit opportunities for new rehabbers. However, I refused to be deterred. I actively sought out mentors, sought additional education and training, and built a network of like-minded individuals who shared my vision for a more inclusive field.

Through perseverance, collaboration, and advocating for change, I was able to overcome the challenges of gatekeeping. I actively challenged traditional norms, worked to create opportunities for underrepresented voices, and fostered a sense of inclusivity in the field. It wasn’t an overnight process, but by staying true to my convictions and supporting others, we have been able to effect positive change.

Along the way, I have learned invaluable lessons. I’ve learned the power of persistence and resilience, the importance of community and mentorship, and the transformative impact of advocating for inclusivity. I have witnessed firsthand how a diverse range of perspectives and experiences strengthens our collective ability to care for and rehabilitate wildlife.

What I want people to take away from my story is that we stand for inclusivity, compassion, and innovation. Our work goes beyond rehabilitating animals; it encompasses reshaping the field to create a more equitable and accessible future for wildlife rehabilitators. We believe that everyone, regardless of their background, should have the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of animals and contribute to the conservation of our natural world. Together, we can achieve remarkable things and leave a lasting legacy for future generations.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Well in the wildlife rehabilitation field, we don’t often get the luxury of a week-long vacation. So if my best friend were to come into town, I would probably put her to work volunteering at our wildlife center in Sedalia, CO.

However, you can’t have work and no play. My best friend is vegan, so I would probably take her to some of my favorite vegan restaurants like So Radish in Arvada or City O City in Denver. We both love nature and we are so lucky in Colorado to have some of the best natural areas and public lands in the country. We would definitely spend a lot of time in the mountains hiking Rocky Mountain National Park and maybe catching a show at Red Rocks Amphitheater. Anything outside surrounded by nature is a good time in our book!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
The Rocky Mountain Wildlife Alliance was built on the idea that not one person or organization can take on world issues alone. It truly takes a community of collaboration to be successful these days. Firstly, a special shout-out goes to my husband Andrew Davenport, whose unwavering encouragement and support have played a pivotal role in the success of the Rocky Mountain Wildlife Alliance. His belief in our mission, dedication, and countless acts of kindness have been the cornerstone of my journey. Together, we have achieved milestones and made a positive impact on the lives of wildlife and our community.

Additionally, there are several local wildlife rehabilitation centers that have been partners in our success. Their guidance, collaboration, and support have been instrumental in our ability to provide the highest quality care to the wildlife in need and get us to where we are today. We are truly grateful for their expertise, willingness to share knowledge and the sense of camaraderie that exists within our community of wildlife rehabilitators. It is through these collaborative efforts that we have been able to make a lasting difference in the lives of the animals we serve.

Website: www.rmwalliance.org

Instagram: Nonprofit: https://www.instagram.com/rmwawildlife/ Personal: https://www.instagram.com/mywildlifestyle/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/16240563

Twitter: https://twitter.com/RmwaWildlife

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rmwalliance

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@rockymountainwildlifeallia4186