ABOUT US
MISSION
The mission of Open Door Bird Sanctuary is to raise avian awareness and inspire coexistence with the rich natural resources of Door County, Wisconsin and wherever you call home.
We implement this philosophy by providing and safe a caring forever home for all of the birds in our care. Through engaging and inspiring programming, our raptor residents are educational ambassadors as we explore the avian world and highlight the varied ecosystems on our property and Door County. Our unique programming can be experienced both at the sanctuary and throughout the community.
HOW WE GOT HERE
In 2006, ODBS founders Rob Hults & Jillaine Seefeldt became volunteers at the Schlitz Audubon Nature Center in Milwaukee, WI. They both began training in animal husbandry and educational presentation of the collection of 14 native birds of prey.
Rapidly, Rob’s passion for these birds and their care and development grew. He attended both national and international workshops and conferences, all directly related to the care, training and presentation of birds.
After leaving his career in home remodeling he completed two internships, one in the U.S. and one in Europe. He was offered a full-time staff position at the Irish Raptor Research Center in 2008. He returned to the center, in the northwest corner of Ireland, as a full-time staff member for 2009. With responsibilities for the care of 70-90 raptors, training, public contact and educational flying shows he was well equipped to continue his passion here in the US.
In 2010, he was hired by the Ohio Bird Sanctuary for show development, training, rehabilitation work and property management, but his thoughts kept turning to creating his own sanctuary in Wisconsin. During this time, Jillaine and Rob had not only stayed in touch, but Jillaine had visited Ireland and Ohio and was on the same page with Rob about creating a cool place, but where?? Why Door County of course! In November of 2010, with a little help from a dedicated group of “bird-friends” both in Door County and Milwaukee, the sanctuary was born.
OVERVIEW
Open Door Bird Sanctuary has been developing various areas of the 34-acre sanctuary since 2011. Aisling, a Eurasian Eagle Owl was our first bird at the sanctuary arriving April of 2014. Currently we have 3 large and 2 small aviaries, as well as a home for our two eagles. Nearby is the hub of ODBS, the Bird Care Center, which is not only home to our smaller birds, but also command central for our staff and volunteers regarding all things birds. In 2019 we added a small Nature Center to enhance our Raptor Saturdays and on-site programs. We have three full-time staff and a group of volunteers who cover events, education, construction and more.
Professional landscape architect Nancy Aten and colleague Dan Collins of Landscapes of Place shared the quality of the property, and the land has been assessed as unusually healthy, with uncommon environmental and plant features, calling for conservation on its own merits. Our hiking trails traverse three very distinctive habitats: prairie, hardwood forest, and pine forest, each bringing unique learning and hands-on experiences.
STRATEGIC PLAN
In 2011, shortly after founding Open Door Bird Sanctuary, a master plan was developed that fused the 34-acre property with a future vision of the sanctuary. Architect David Milburn brought the plan to life with hand renderings and a hand drawn site plan representing our simple grass roots beginning. Our Master Plan consisted of five key areas: Outdoor aviaries in a starter location, a utility type building and rehab clinic next to this building, a walk-through songbird aviary, a visitor’s center off the main parking lot and a larger program area off the Prairie Trail. When we were ready to open to the public, we knew we needed to keep things a little closer together both for our everyday use and as well as creating an easier, more intuitive visitor experience. That prompted us to create and continue to use our circular system of aviaries, eventually adding the Nature Center as the first touchpoint for visitors.
As we evaluated our mission and what would best serve our visitors, we determined that our primary focus would be education of all kinds along with “forever homing” for our raptors. To that end, the utility building evolved into the Bird Care Center for daily husbandry and housing and next to it, the clinic site became the People Place. Now ODBS has a real corporate headquarters with employee workspace and a full-access public restroom.
Moving forward, we keep an eye on our Master Plan but remain flexible so that we can continue to evolve the sanctuary to create the best experience for our visitors following the guidelines of our mission. Down the road, in addition to the songbird aviary, we are looking at things like a picnic area pavilion, a solar heated birdbath for wild birds, additional trails and of course – more raptors!
STAFF & BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Executive Director:
Rob Hults
rob.hults@opendoorbirdsanctuary.org
Administrative &
Development Director:
Jillaine Seefeldt
jillaine.seefeldt@opendoorbirdsanctuary.org
Education Director &
Volunteer Coordinator:
Shawn Bittman
shawn.bittman@opendoorbirdsanctuary.org