By Briana Harris / Staff Writer

PELHAM – Throughout the course of a year, the Alabama Wildlife Center will have cared for more than 2,000 of Alabama’s native wild birds from over 100 different species.

One responsibility of the AWC is to rescue, rehabilitate and re-release birds, said AWC Executive Director Doug Adair. The center also has a conservation education program that travels throughout the state educating the public on ways they can play a role in protecting Alabama’s birds.

The AWC, a nonprofit organization, relies on donations to help with housing, medical care, food and treatment. To help fund their effort, the center’s junior Board of Directors will host its primary fundraiser, Chirps and Chips, from 7-10 p.m. on Aug. 19 at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens, 2612 Lane Park Road.

“This event is in its fifth year and each year has been more successful than the last,” Adair said.

The event will feature casino-style games such roulette, craps, black jack and slot machines provided by GoodFellas Gaming Co. There will also be live music from Birmingham-based band High Tide, beer provided by Cahaba Brewing Co and a variety of food, wine and beverages.

A silent auction will be held with artwork, vacation packages and sports memorabilia up for grabs.

“This is an opportunity for people to have a lot of fun while supporting a great cause,” Adair said.

The center’s conservation education raptors will be at the event. Adair said patrons will have the option to take photos with the glove-trained raptors.

Some birds that arrive at the AWC for care have injuries that cause long-term problems and prevent them from being able to survive in the wild. In those cases, the birds become a part of the center’s conservation education program.

Adair said the AWC’s work is expensive because each animal’s treatment and diet is tailored to their particular needs. Some must be hand-fed every 30 minutes for up to 16 hours per day.

With the AWC being in the middle of baby bird season, Adair said donations are needed even more. By the end of baby bird season, Adair said the center will have cared for 1,000 injured or orphaned baby birds.

“On top of that we still have our conservation education program and adult birds to care for, so our resources are strained to the limit,” he said. “We depend on supporters to make it happen.”

The cost of admission is $50 per person. Tickets can be purchased at Awrc.org.