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    • Ambassador Animal Sanctuary Tours
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Menu
  • About Us
    • Mission & Values
    • Meet The Animals
    • Meet The Team
    • Our Facilities
    • What People Are Saying
    • FAQs
  • On-Site Programs
    • Events Calendar
    • Ambassador Animal Sanctuary Tours
    • Venue for Birthdays and Private Events
    • Future Ecology Center Developments
  • Outreach Programs
  • In-School Programs
  • Book a Service
  • Membership
Derek handling a large snake during a presentation with young kids.

Derek Small

Founder, Director, & Environmental Educator

Derek was raised on a family farm in Maine & attained a B.S. of Education in Physiology and Nutrition from Plymouth State College. Previously the Fitness Director of the Laconia Athletic and Swim Club and then later a successful personal trainer in Manhattan… Derek’s life and career took a turn toward environmental conservation & public education through working with live animals in 2002.

For more than a decade since, through formal and informal schooling, Derek has diversified his knowledge and his message strongly into areas that span not only wildlife, ecology, and biological sciences… but land stewardship, energy & food production, and more! In 2010 he was introduced to the concepts of “ancestral health” and bio-mimicry which have since blended with his existing foundation into a philosophy that guides the Wildlife Encounters Ecology Center & Farm School on a path (and a goal) to effect major change for the benefit of Animals, People & Earth!

Derek has been delivering live-animal educational programming in New England for 18 years. Well known for his presentations in the educational community as well as the more “for fun” venues, he is also well regarded in the professional environmental education community.

  • Professional Member: Zoological Association of America (ZAA)
  • Member of the ZAA Education Committee
  • Past Board Secretary & Legislative Chairperson: Association of Professional WildlifeEducators (APWE)
  • Certified Member: Feline Conservation Federation (FCF)
  • Member of the National Wildlife Rehabilitators Association (NWRA)
  • Consultant to Maine Inland Fisheries & Wildlife

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About Us

Mission & Values
Events Calendar
Meet The Animals
Meet The Team
Our Facilities
What People Are Saying
FAQs

On-Site Programs

Ecology Center Visits, Hikes & Private Events
Ecology Center Seminars & Events
Ambassador Animal Sanctuary Tours

Live & Virtual Outreach Programs

School Outreach & Enrichment Programs

Membership

Book My Encounter

Our Locations:

Nature Preserve / Business Mailing Address

Wildlife Encounters Ecology & Wellness Center
270 Beauty Hill Rd, Barrington, NH 03825

USDA Licensed Ambassador Animal Sanctuary

Rochester, NH 03867

(check your reservation confirmation for exact address, parking details, etc)
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(603) 923-1168
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