Fostering Environmental Stewards Through Discovery
Meet the Wildlife Discovery Center
The Wildlife Discovery Center (WDC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization providing innovative, hands-on environmental education outreach programs to students across Tipton, Fayette, and Shelby counties. Founded by Rob Carmichael and Dr. Toni Carmichael, whose passion for conservation stems from decades of expertise, the WDC addresses the critical problems of lack of youth environmental literacy and schools' limited funding for supplemental education.
Through immersive, traveling programs featuring ambassador animals, the WDC brings nature and wildlife directly into classrooms. Dr. Carmichael's tailored curriculum engages minority and underserved populations, fostering the next generation of environmental stewards. With its extraordinary founders, creative approach, and commitment to accessibility, the WDC is uniquely positioned to inspire environmental awareness and action across the region.
Our Vision
A future where every student in Tipton, Fayette, and Shelby counties is inspired by immersive environmental education, fostering a generation of passionate stewards committed to conserving our natural world.
Our Mission
The Wildlife Discovery Center's mission is to inspire environmental stewardship through innovative outreach programs that provide immersive, hands-on education about nature and wildlife conservation.
A Legacy of Learning
The Wildlife Discovery Center (WDC) was founded in 1996 by Rob Carmichael and Dr. Toni Carmichael. It began as a humble one-room nature program at the Lake Forest Recreation Department's Recreation Center in Illinois.
Over the following years, the WDC experienced significant growth, prompting a relocation in 2000 to the historic Elawa Farm in Lake Forest. This farm, resting on 1500 acres of the highest quality dark soil tall grass savanna in the United States, provided an ideal setting for the WDC's expanding programs and exhibits.
The WDC's innovative approach to environmental education was recognized with the coveted Gold Medal Award from the National Recreation and Park Association. Each year from 1997 onward, over 20,000 students in grades 1-12 participated in on-site field trip experiences, while another 150,000 annual visitors explored the center's offerings.
In addition to its educational focus, the WDC was actively involved in field research, conservation initiatives, and numerous other projects. Approximately 75% of its expenses were covered by donors and grants, with the remaining revenue generated through program fees and special events.
In 2023, after 27 years of leadership, the WDC's curator and co-founder Rob Carmichael retired and relocated the center to southwest Tennessee. This transition marked the beginning of a new chapter, with the WDC adopting an outreach-based model of operation.
Currently, the center is visiting over 25 schools in Tipton and Shelby Counties, as well as 25 YMCAs across Tennessee and Mississippi during the summer of 2024, bringing high-quality environmental education programs to students in grades 3-12.
Rob Carmichael's extensive experience includes serving as a college instructor in the biological sciences and as a field coordinator and producer for National Geographic, contributing to over 30 films. He has presented at numerous national and international conferences and symposiums, authored several book chapters, appeared on over 50 television shows, and worked closely with community groups to promote environmental education in schools.
Co-founder Dr. Toni Carmichael serves as the WDC's Curriculum Director. In June 2023, she earned a Doctorate of Education in Curriculum, Advocacy, and Policy. Prior to this, Dr. Carmichael spent 25 years as an 8th-grade science teacher in a suburban Chicago school, where she received an award from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources for converting an abandoned courtyard into an outdoor pond and living laboratory to study endangered species.
Her passion for educational equality led her to advocate for differentiated instruction tailored to the individual needs and learning processes of her diverse student population, which included over 70% low-income, Latino, and special needs students.
While pursuing her doctorate, Dr. Carmichael was the first recipient of the CLAVE Fellowship at National Louis University. She now speaks nationally and internationally and is currently writing a chapter for a new book on nonviolence in education.
In 2023, the Friends of the Wildlife Discovery Center became a public charity recognized by the State of Tennessee. This organization's primary focus is to raise awareness for the WDC while securing funding and donors to support its programming and operations.
