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Wild Earth Conservancy
A sanctuary for wildlife that has nowhere else to go.
(Coming Soon to Cherokee, South Carolina)
Wild Earth Conservancy is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit building the missing infrastructure between wildlife rehabilitation and permanent sanctuary. We admit animals referred as non-releasable by licensed rehabilitation facilities — providing naturalistic habitat, longitudinal care, and structured reassessment. Our model recognizes that recovery potential isn’t always visible within the compressed timelines most rehabilitation centers operate under.
Campaign
We’re raising $75,000 to build Phase 1 — land, construction, and bringing the first animals home. Every contribution is tax-deductible and goes directly toward making it happen.
Phased Development
How Wild Earth Conservancy is Being Built
Wild Earth Conservancy is being built in clearly defined phases as funding, permitting, and operational capacity allow. Every decision is guided by responsible growth, ethical care standards, and long-term environmental stewardship.
This stage focuses on land evaluation and acquisition, regulatory permitting, ecological and architectural design, and building the foundation for programs that will serve injured, orphaned, and unreleasable wildlife. Every decision in this phase is guided by responsible growth, ethical care standards, and long-term environmental stewardship.
Facilities and programs will be developed in clearly defined phases as funding, permitting, and infrastructure milestones are achieved.
Phase One
Providing lifetime care for select non-releasable animals once facilities, staffing, and permits allow.
Phase Two
Focused on the rehabilitation and release of select native species, in partnership with licensed veterinarians and wildlife agencies.
Phase Three
Expanding public education, field response, and conservation partnerships based on proven operational capacity.
Phase Four
Integration of a wildlife conservation campus — combining sanctuary, rehabilitation, research, and sustainable eco-lodging into a living model for human-wildlife coexistence.
What We Do
Wildlife Sanctuary
For animals who cannot be returned to the wild, we provide lifelong sanctuary focused on welfare, enrichment, and dignity, allowing them to live safely while contributing to conservation education.
Wildlife Rehabilitation
Wild Earth Conservancy provides professional care for injured, orphaned, and displaced native wildlife, with the goal of recovery and safe release back into their natural habitats whenever possible.
Conservation Education
We engage communities through education and outreach programs that foster respect for wildlife, promote coexistence, and inspire long-term conservation stewardship.
About Wild Earth Conservancy
About
Wild Earth Conservancy works to advance coexistence between people and wildlife through sanctuary, rehabilitation, and conservation education. Programs will be developed in phases as operational capacity allows.
All areas of WEC are fully accessible, ensuring that visitors, students, researchers, and volunteers of all abilities can safely engage with our programs and wildlife. Together, these programs build the foundation for a dedicated, immersive wildlife conservation facility that serves both animals and the communities that surround them.
Proud member of 1% for the Planet and supported by Mighty Cause.
Organizational Standards
- Federally recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization
- Commitment to professional wildlife care standards
- Focus on native species rehabilitation and sanctuary
- Community education and conservation outreach
- Long-term vision for a dedicated wildlife care facility
Leadership & Advisors
Timothy Mihocik
Founder & Executive Director
Timothy brings over a decade of experience in animal husbandry, wildlife rehabilitation, and zoological care. He has held professional roles at the Toledo Zoo & Aquarium, Lake Erie Nature & Science Center, Kevin P. Clinton Wildlife Center, and Santa Fe Teaching Zoo, providing rehabilitative care, neonatal support, diet preparation, enrichment design, and enclosure construction for a wide range of native mammals, birds, and reptiles.
Timothy has participated in federally coordinated bird banding and monitoring programs with the U.S. Bird Banding Laboratory and the Division of Migratory Bird Management, supporting critical avian conservation research. He holds a bachelor’s degree in behavioral psychology and completed advanced animal care training through the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance Academy. His conservation journalism has been published in National Wildlife Federation Magazine, BBC Wildlife, Earth Island Journal, The Revelator, Civil Eats, and Rewilding Magazine.
Seth Hochberg
Co-Founder & President
Seth brings over 15 years of zoological and wildlife experience to Wild Earth Conservancy. He is a graduate of the University of West Florida’s Zoo Science program and also studied Zoo Animal Technology at Santa Fe College and Zoology at Broward College. Over the years, he has worked with a wide array of species in roles at Montgomery Zoo, Palm Beach Zoo, Lubee Bat Conservancy, and Jacksonville Zoo, focusing on husbandry, enrichment, and animal behavior.
Through his expertise and lifelong passion for conservation, Seth helps develop and implement Wild Earth Conservancy’s animal care standards, rehabilitation programs, and public outreach initiatives. His work ensures evidence-based practices and welfare-focused approaches across the organization, supporting both wildlife and community engagement.
Steven Herbst
Co-Founder & Secretary
With a diverse background spanning zoological care, wildlife handling, and public safety, Steven brings a steady hand and detail-oriented mindset to Wild Earth Conservancy. He began his career working with exotic species at ZooTampa and Santa Fe College, developing expertise in husbandry, diet preparation, and enrichment for a wide range of animals. His experience in security and corrections further strengthened his leadership, organizational, and risk management skills.
Steven now channels this expertise into building safe, efficient, and welfare-focused operations for the Conservancy. He oversees facility management, operational logistics, and program support, ensuring that all aspects of Wild Earth Conservancy run smoothly while maintaining the highest standards of animal welfare and community engagement.
Get Involved
Wild Earth Conservancy is in the development phase and is actively seeking support from donors, institutional partners, and remote/field volunteers to help establish foundational programs and infrastructure for long-term wildlife rehabilitation, sanctuary, and conservation education. As a 1% for the Planet nonprofit and Mighty Cause partner, your contributions directly fund wildlife conservation and rehabilitation in South Carolina.
Volunteer & Contribute
Support wildlife care, habitat projects, and education efforts by volunteering your time and skills.
Skilled and community volunteer engagement.
Support Our Work
Your tax-deductible donation directly supports animal care, conservation programs, and facility development.
Tax-deductible contributions for program development.
Explore Partnership Opportunities
We collaborate with educators, conservationists, and organizations committed to protecting wildlife and ecosystems.
Strategic collaborations & institutional support.
Partnership Form
Contact Us
Wild Earth Conservancy welcomes inquiries from prospective donors, institutional partners, conservation professionals, media, and individuals interested in supporting our development. We are currently in the planning and fundraising phase and are building relationships that will help establish long-term wildlife rehabilitation, sanctuary, and conservation education programs.
info@wildearthconservancy.com
Wild Earth Conservancy is a nonprofit organization in development focused on wildlife rehabilitation, sanctuary, and conservation education.
EIN – 39-4685053
© 2025 Wild Earth Conservancy. All rights reserved.