The Panhandle Wildlife Rescue operates in Freeport, where co-founders Shelby Robinson and Jim Johnson work with a small staff to care for the region’s most vulnerable wildlife. The center currently overflows with tiny raccoons, birds, squirrels, opossums, owls and hawks during baby wildlife season.

• The work is relentless, with some animals needing feeding every 30 minutes while others require gentle encouragement to relieve themselves. Keeping food and formula stocked is a constant task for the small but passionate team working with limited resources.

NextEra Energy Foundation, a corporate charitable foundation of NextEra Energy Inc. and Florida Power & Light Company, provided the generous gift to help alleviate some of the strain during this crucial time.

“Our mission is to give the wildlife a second chance at life because many of them are here due to human causes,” said Robinson, the center’s co-founder and CEO. “We thank the NextEra Energy Foundation and FPL for their support to save these animals because our mission would not be possible without the support of partners like them.”

The $25,000 gift will allow Robinson and her team to provide care to their vast array of wildlife patients and support them with the challenges of moving into their new facility. Since its opening in 2024, the center has expanded to a 10-acre property, aiming to become the leading wildlife rehabilitation and trauma hospital in the area.

• The center serves Walton, Okaloosa and counties all the way through Bay County — many of them in the FPL service area. The team addresses trauma and medical services, illness prevention and other services, all at no cost to the public.

This year alone, Robinson anticipates caring for up to 2,000 patients — both adults and babies, representing 250 species. The need for their services is expected to increase because Northwest Florida is one of the most biodiverse areas in the United States, making it home to a large array of wildlife compared to other areas.

The area is also experiencing rapid development, which puts more wildlife at risk.

J.T. Young, FPL vice president and general manager of the Northwest region, stressed that it’s vital to support the missions of nonprofits.

“We aim to demonstrate our unwavering commitment to powering stronger communities and supporting the causes that matter most to our customers,” said Young. “Wildlife conservation is a core value for many in Northwest Florida, and we are honored to support initiatives that align with these priorities.”