The Land & Our Team

Our Philosophy & Mission

Most wildlife encounter human habitation every day. This coupled with their own habitats decreasing can often mean that they have nowhere to go. Our mission is to educate others to live symbiotically with their local wildlife. CWCC’s constant dedication to wildlife inspires others to help preserve our planet’s animals and to have a voice to save our wildlife and wild places.

The Carolina Wildlife Conservation Center mission is to rescue, rehabilitate and release injured, orphaned and ill wildlife, while educating humans on how to live symbiotically with our backyard wildlife.

The Nature Preserve

CWCC is located on 105 acres of ecologically diverse land. The land is called “Wildplaces” after the quote, “May there always be wild places” by wildlife photographer and conservationist, Thomas Mangelsen. The National Wildlife Federation has awarded the land the status of “a certified wildlife habitat.”

This means that the land provides abundant food, water, cover, and places to raise wildlife. Charlotte is growing exponentially as an urban city and the wildlife is feeling the impact. With an increase negative wildlife encounters in human habitation, we are proud to have 105 acres of safe sanctuary forever for our wildlife. Our future goal is to have hundreds of acres in conservation land for wildlife to be save and free forever.

Our Team

Founder & Executive Director

Morgan Rafael is a licensed wildlife rehabilitator. Morgan uses her skills from her background in veterinary technology and zoo medicine to give the most innovative care to her patients. She has traveled around the world doing wildlife rehabilitation including to Africa where she worked with orphaned rhinos.

Morgan has a fiery passion for educating others on how to live symbiotically with the wildlife in our backyards. She has big dreams for Carolina Wildlife Conservation Center and the lasting impact it willl make on wildlife and the environment for generations to come.

Hospital Manager & Lead Wildlife Rehabilitator

Rachel Cerjan is a biologist that has experience with a variety of different animals and plant life from analyzing phytoplankton to conservation studies in Africa. Rachel has learned a lot about wildlife throughout her education and work and is now applying that knowledge to wildlife rehabilitation.

She obtained her Master’s Degree in biology researching bees and has a passion for all animals big and small. She joined the CWCC team in 2021 and continues to learn about our native wildlife every day

Wildlife Rehabilitator & Shift Leader

Paige Murdock is has been with CWCC since spring 2023. Her goal is to continue to learn and grow with her coworkers at CWCC and provide the best care possible for her patients. Paige enjoys organizing the animal enclosures, setting up new enrichment projects and being with like-minded colleagues. Besides having a love for animals Paige enjoys reading, cuddling her many pets, and playing video games.

Wildlife Rehabilitator

As a Steve Irwin obsessed toddler, Mariah began developing her love for animals of all kinds at a very young age. She has spent the past decade gaining extensive experience working and volunteering with domestic, wild, and exotic animals across several professional veterinary, sanctuary, research, and rescue settings. Her first involvement in wildlife rehabilitation was through the Carolina Raptor Center, where she spent several years working with NC's birds of prey. Hoping to expand her knowledge and diversify her skills to a broader variety of species, she joined the CWCC team as rehabilitation apprentice in spring of 2024 and hasn't stopped learning since! She is grateful to be in a position where she can directly care for our native wildlife while also educating the public.

Mariah has a BA in Biology, an MSc in Applied Animal Behavior & Welfare, and is currently finishing an MA in Anthrozoology. In addition to her passion for working with animals, Mariah is an avid reader, loves to travel, and enjoys spending time out in nature.

Lead Veterinarian

Dr. D’Amelio grew up in a number of different states and spent some time living out of the country. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Biological Sciences from North Carolina State University in 2012 and earned her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from North Carolina in 2016. Following graduation, Dr. D’Amelio started working at a clinic in the Denver, NC area.

Within veterinary medicine, Dr. D’Amelio is especially interested in the areas of cardiology, feline medicine, and companion exotic species such as mammals and reptiles
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In her spare time, Dr. D’Amelio enjoys spending time with her husband, Everett, their dog, Winnie, their cats, Autumn, Zazzles, and Velcro, and their rabbit, Hopscotch. She also likes to go hiking, exploring the mountains, and crocheting.

Consulting Veterinarian

Dr. Antonia Gardner graduated with her veterinary degree from the University of Florida in 2004, after

which she completed a small animal/ exotic internship at Florida Veterinary Specialists and North Bay

Animal Hospital. After that she moved to southeast Florida and began working at the South Florida

Wildlife Center (SFWC) in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. In 2014 she became the medical director at the

SFWC and continued in that position until June 2022. As the medical director she was not only in charge

of clinical operations and staff management, but also overseeing a very active undergraduate internship

and a veterinary externship.

Home Based Wildlife Rehabilitator & Hotline Supervisor

Carolyn Festa is a licensed wildlife rehabilitator with over ten years of experience and a lifelong appreciation for nature. She enjoys learning about the animals she cares for and constantly seeks to improve her skills by attending advanced classes in wildlife rehabilitation.

Carolyn specializes in the care of newborn orphaned wildlife which require around the clock care and extra attention managing hydration, formula concentration and medication. Carolyn likes to share her passion with others and enjoys teaching species specific natural history and mentoring other rehabilitators.

Carolyn is also an avid gardener who has transformed her yard and garden to grow food for animals undergoing treatment, as well as to provide habitat for her favorite birds, insects, and animal species. In the spirit of conservation, her garden features a large milkweed patch to feed the larval stage of the monarch butterfly.

Carolyn is based out of her home in Sherrills Ford, NC. She often visits the center bringing fresh vegetables and flowers.

Donor Relations Coordinator

Logan Ronk is well versed in the nonprofit sector with a degree in Nonprofit Management from Indiana University - go Hoosiers! While not afraid to get her hands dirty with animal rehabilitation, she prefers to focus on donor engagement and fundraising development.

Carolina Wildlife constantly restores Logan’s faith in humanity as animal lovers come together for the greater good. Rescue dogs, rhinos, and raccoons bring an instant smile to her face. She wishes everyone could experience the love of a bully breed!