Help Us Build the New Owl House!

After years of dreaming and planning, we are ready to turn a long-standing need into an incredible opportunity for both our owls and the community.

People will be able to walk around the outside of the building for views of the owls.
People will be able to walk around the outside of the building for views of the owls.
A rendering of the education pavilion that will be part of the new owl house at the Northwoods Wildlife Center
A rendering of the education pavilion that will be part of the new owl house at the Northwoods Wildlife Center.
front of the Owl house
The front of the owl house an what visitors will first see on their approach.

The Owl House is more than just a place for our resident owls to rest their wings; it’s a cornerstone of our raptor education program. Every year, hundreds of visitors get the chance to see these birds up close and learn about their fascinating lives—how they hunt silently under moonlit skies, their unique calls, and what it takes for owls to not just survive but truly thrive in the wild. Our new Owl House will provide a perfect setting for these educational experiences, with both indoor and outdoor viewing spaces, and comfortable environments where our owls can choose to be visible or retreat if they’re feeling shy.

Designed with the owls’ safety and well-being in mind, the new structure will feature a durable roof with sheltered and open areas, storm doors for harsh winters, and even the ability to add a touch of warmth on those bitterly cold nights. We’ll also have specialized feeding systems and built-in perches with scales, so we can monitor our owls without disrupting their routines—allowing us to ensure they’re healthy and happy while minimizing stress.

Overview of the Owl House showing the education pavillion, an owl care room, and enclosures for large owls, like great-horned owls and barred owls, and small owls like sawet and screech owls.
Overview of the Owl House showing the education pavilion, an owl care room, and enclosures for large owls, like great-horned owls and barred owls, and small owls like saw-whet and screech owls.

The new Owl House will be so much more than a place for our resident owls to call home. It will include a thoughtfully designed, open-air and screened education pavilion where visitors can experience the beauty and majesty of these birds like never before. Imagine hearing a Great Horned Owl’s call resonate through the woods as you learn about their unique adaptations, or watching an owl up close as our educators explain what it takes for these raptors to thrive in their natural habitats. This new facility will provide an unparalleled, immersive experience for all who visit.

But we need your help to make it happen. We’ve made great progress already—working closely with vendors to finalize a design and secure donated materials. But we want this new Owl House to be truly exceptional, and the more funds we raise, the better we can make it for our resident owls and the thousands of people who visit us each year. With your support, we’ll be able to create not just a shelter, but a state-of-the-art, enriching space where our owls can live comfortably and our community can connect more deeply with nature.

In addition to donations, we are looking for businesses and individuals to volunteer or donate their skills and time to help us with the construction. Whether you’re handy with a hammer, can help with landscaping, or have construction expertise, your contribution will be invaluable. By joining together, we can build something amazing—an inspiring educational hub that celebrates the owls’ role in our ecosystem and deepens our understanding of these incredible birds.

We’ve come a long way, but with your help, we can create something truly extraordinary. Every donation, every hour volunteered, and every bit of support will go directly toward building a legacy that will benefit both wildlife and people for years to come. Please consider contributing to our new Owl House project and helping us give the gift of discovery, learning, and conservation to future generations.

Let’s build a home where wisdom takes flight!