Spring is a time when wildlife rehabilitators are busy taking care of sick, injured and orphaned animals. Thanks to Jersey City's Our Lady of Czestochowa School and PSE&G's Hudson Generating Station and Palisades Division, to build rehabilitation cages and collect used bird cages and animal carriers, rehabilitators, like myself, will be able to help more animals this year. There are over 100 volunteer wildlife rehabilitators in New Jersey. Last year we cared for over 16,000 animals and successfully released over 60 percent. Rehabilitators are licensed and trained by the Department of Fish, Game and Wildlife (FGW). The contributions of the OLC School and PSE&G are important: FGW does not have the funds to support these mostly backyard operations. Rehabilitators pay for feeding, housing and nurturing animals until they are released into the wild. We have to try to help the animals because they are trying to live with us. Partnerships like this one are effective. We are helping the animals, and we are helping to educate children about what they can do at their young age to promote environmental advocacy. If you find an injured animal, your local police, health or animal control department may have a list of local wildlife rehabilitators, or, you can call FGW, (609) 292-2965 or visit the website at www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw. Barbra Western