ABOUT | Oaken Acres

MISSION & HISTORY

Oaken Acres Wildlife Center is a NFP organization licensed to rehabilitate native Illinois wildlife. We advocate for wildlife through community education and conservation.

To forward our mission we will:

Provide care for injured and orphaned wild animals with a focus on releasing them into their native habitat.
Be a steward of resources focusing on the respect of wildlife, their habitiats, and the preservation of flora and fauna that dwell within those habitats.
Cultivate support from communities that benefit from our mission.

Founded in 1984 by Kathy Stelford, Oaken Acres has taken in almost 30,000 wild animals since it opened. Located on 33 acres of wildlife habitat in rural DeKalb County, Illinois, the property is set aside as a wildlife refuge, incorporating conservation acreage, woodlands, riparian habitat, and natural grasslands.

Our slogan tells our story -- Every Life Matters! We do not judge which animals are worthy of being saved. If they are orphaned or hurt, they deserve a second chance. Mice are just as special in their own ways as foxes. Sparrows fill a niche just like owls. They can all suffer and they all deserve compassion.

While wildlife rehabbers are dedicated to saving as many wild babies as possible, they are equally dedicated to making certain that healthy babies remain with their wild mothers. Our goal of keeping these wild families together is our top priority. While we can't do as good a job in raising the babies as Mother Nature, if they are injured or orphaned we promise to do our best.

Inspiring others to foster compassion and respect for wildlife is part of our duty as wildlife rehabilitates. Please visit our site often and join us by making a donation to Oaken Acres. With your help, wildlife services for our communities will continue to grow and improve.

MEET THE TEAM

Founder and President

Kathy Stelford

Kathy moved from the suburbs. of Chicago and founded Oaken Acres in 1984. Since then she has cared for over 30,000 injured or orphaned wild animals on a 33-acre farm in rural Sycamore, Illinois. In 1999, she became the founding president of TAILS Humane Society in DeKalb. She is a past board member and longstanding member of the National Wildlife Rehabilitators Association; a decades-long member of the International Rehabilitation Council; retired from the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee at Northern Illinois University after serving for 18 years; and has served on numerous not-for-profit boards in DeKalb County.

Stelford authored a book in 2008, "Every Life Matters: Inspiring Stories of Wildlife Rescues and Releases." Kathy and her husband, Mark, dedicate their lives and their farm to the preservation of wildlife through rehabilitation, conservation, and education. Through her dedication to the Oaken Acres motto, EVERY LIFE MATTERS, Kathy had built Oaken Acres into one of the largest wildlife rehabilitation centers in Illinois.

Director of Operations

Sandy Woltman

Sandy graduated from Purdue University with a degree in Wildlife Science. Immediately after graduation, she got a job at a large wildlife rehabilitation center just outside Chicago. She worked there for nearly 20 years, overseeing the rehabilitation program and 100+ volunteers.

Sandy was an active board member for the National Wildlife Rehabilitators Association for 12 years and eventually become president. She and a colleague developed and instructed a class for 10 years at the College of DuPage called, "Caring for Wildlife in Captivity," focusing on the care of wildlife in a zoo and wildlife rehabilitation setting.

Sandy came to Oaken Acres in 2015 to work alongside her long-time friend, Kathy, to continue her love of wildlife rehabilitation and hands-on work with wildlife. She enjoys the opportunity to share her knowledge and passion for wildlife with everyone that passes through Oaken Acres.

Volunteer Coordinator

Amber Williams

Growing up Amber always loved animals, but never really found her passion for wildlife until her internship with Oaken Acres in the summer of 2017. After graduating from Illinois State University with a degree in Zoology, she came back to Oaken Acres full time. During her time at ISU, she met her husband Aiden. They now live in Lakemoor with their rescue pitbull Benny.

BOARD OF
DIRECTORS

President

Kathy Stelford

Vice President

Mark Stelford

Secretary

Kay Johnson

Director

Constance MacGregor

Director

Beth Hosler

PARTNERS

Oaken Acres has a network of local business partners who support our mission. These relationships help us serve our patients best and we're proud of our partners.