Pauling students' work graces flight cage at Chintimini

By Alex Paul

Gazette-Times reporter

Injured wild birds recovering in a flight cage at Chintimini Wildlife Center now have a new view - a colorful 60-foot mural created by seventh- and eighth-graders in Joel Weinstein's classes at Linus Pauling Middle School.

Tuesday afternoon, the students got to see their artwork - and the wildlife they are helping to preserve - up close. The cages are the current residence of two injured red-tail hawks that are almost well enough to be released, according to Kim Carlson, regional education coordinator for the Freshwater Trust's Healthy Waters Institute.

Student artist Lagli Mesbah said she painted the mural to help the wildlife center: "I think now the center will be better known so more animals will be able to get help."

Rachel Ponstein added, "I think that everyone should know about our native animals and plants. We should know what to do if we find an injured animal. I also think it's important for animals to be taken care of, which is exactly what Chintimini does."

The mural is of a varied wildlife area, and artist Susie Dole said she believes it blends in well with the center.

"The two habitats that we portrayed are very important to the animals," Dole said. "The forest is home to many birds, deer, foxes, rabbits and many native plants. They provide homes, food and a water source. The prairie is important to many animals, like skunks, types of rodents and other predators and prey. The grasses provide homes and shelter, native plants and sources of food."

Sophia Hill said she enjoyed the challenge of working on such a big project, which was funded by State Farm Insurance and the Healthy Waters Institute.

Jeff Picton, Chintimini's executive director, said the wildlife and native habitat mural was a combined effort to draw attention to the refuge, which provides emergency medical care to injured wildlife until it can be released back into the wild. The Chintimini Wildlife Rehabilitation Center has served Linn, Benton and Lincoln counties since 1989. It is a primarily volunteer nonprofit organization that serves an average of 700 animals, representing 300 species.

Chintimini is working toward a goal of opening an education center for the public.

To learn more about the wildlife center, animal care, education programs and camps or to make a donation, call 745-5324 or see www.chintiminiwildlife.org.

Alex Paul can be contacted at alex.paul@lee.net or by calling 758-9526.