She helps keep wild animals in northern Alberta safe and healthy
Age: 36
Carly Lynch vividly remembers the first animal she released to the wild as a volunteer with the charity WILDNorth.
It was early in her time at the wildlife rescue and rehabilitation organization, and she had the opportunity to feed and medicate a great horned owl. “I remember being like, ‘This is unbelievable that I’m able to hold this incredible animal and release it,’” she says. “I’ve kept a photo from that day, because it was so special.”
With a degree in conservation biology, her volunteer job turned into a permanent role. She worked as the animal care manager by day and pursued vet tech school by night. She became director of WILDCare, the veterinary branch of the organization, when she was 30. “I wouldn’t want any other job, but it felt surreal for me to get my dream job at that point in my life,” she adds.
She has grown WILDNorth’s profile as its director, taking in 4,000 animals a year compared to 1,300 when she started. The organization receives around 14,000 calls a year from people in Edmonton and Northern Alberta.
“We’re one of three Alberta Veterinary Medical Association-permitted wildlife rehabs,” she says. “That allows us to have an x-ray machine and a surgery suite on site. When I started, we had limited medications and now we have many. We’re able to target our treatment, and we’re moving towards domestic veterinary clinic-level care.”
As it’s grown, the organization has mentored more eager summer volunteers, like Lynch once was. “They’re figuring out what they want to do, and it’s one of my favourite things to see how passionate they become about wildlife rehab,” she says. “I’ve given references for students to enter vet tech school or vet school. WILDNorth has inspired their journeys, and it’s been amazing.”
This article appears in the November-December 2026 issue of Edify
