Groundhog’s Day is February 2 and while many people enjoy the lighthearted tradition of the iconic critter looking for its shadow, Nature’s Nursery is using the day to educate residents about one particular animal, amongst the thousands that they care for each year, and to help choose a name for one very special groundhog at their facility.
As a wildlife rehabilitation and education center, Nature’s Nursery takes in more than 3,800 animals per year that have been injured or orphaned to provide rehabilitation to return them to the wild.
In addition, the organization has approximately 25 education ambassador animals kept at their facility in Whitehouse. The animals are utilized year-round for educational programs throughout the region.
Thursday, February 2 is the big day for one special education ambassador, but she won’t be searching for her shadow. Instead, she will be searching for a name.
The groundhog was found as a baby at the beginning of 2022 and raised by the finder on an inappropriate diet. She was later turned over to rehabilitators, but it was too late. She had imprinted on humans and lost her necessary wild instincts. Taken on as an education ambassador, she will spend her years teaching people about wildlife but first, she needs a name.
“We only name our education ambassadors, never the rehab animals that will be released,” said Allison Aey, Nature’s Nursery executive director. “It’s important for the rehab animals to remain wild and giving them a name feels counterproductive to that. However, naming the ambassadors really helps people, especially kids, to find a connection with the animal that encourages empathy, understanding and learning.”
Wild groundhogs in the region are in deep hibernation right now, but due to her circumstances, the Nature’s Nursery groundhog is indoors and therefore in “torpor” which can best be described as a light hibernation with a slower pace while awake and long periods of rest.
While awake, like most groundhogs, she has a mix of sassy colorful personality and laziness with the ability to relax in precarious positions.
The staff has narrowed the naming options down to five choices that they feel best fit her personality, and now the community is needed to help make the final choice. Will she be Pancake, Viola, Violet, Odette or Gertrude?
From now through Groundhog’s Day, people can make a $10 donation to vote for their favorite name from the list.
One entry will be drawn to win a prize pack and the voted name will become the new name for this special wildlife ambassador.
“We love having our supporters help name the animals and all of the funds raised will be used to help provide care for her. We will also be doing live videos on Groundhog’s Day and fun facts via social media to teach people that these animals do so much more than just provide the mythical predictions of spring each year,” said Ms. Aey.
People can find the voting opportunity on the website, na t u r e s - n u r s e r y . o r g / events/groundhog.
