July 31, 2025

Community Conversations:
Bat Rehabilitation & Conservation

Executive Director Sarah Cooperman spoke with NBC29's Steve Rappaport about native bat rehabilitation and how you can support bat populations at home.

July 24, 2025

Community Conversations: Chimney Swift season is here

Executive Director Sarah Cooperman spoke with NBC29's Steve Rappaport about Chimney Swift care and conservation.

July 17, 2025

Community Conversations: Snake Week with Ambassador Autumn

Autumn the Corn Snake joins the NBC29 team n the studio to discuss snake coexistence and conservation in celebration of Snake Week.

July 10, 2025

Community Conversations: Wildlife & Extreme Heat

Executive director Sarah Cooperman spoke with NBC29's Steve Rappaport about supporting backyard wildlife through heat wave events. 

August 7, 2025

It's the Season of Wildlife Releases at RWS!

Executive Director Sarah Cooperman spoke with NBC29's Steve Rappaport about some recent wildlife releases at the Sanctuary and our release protocols.

August 14, 2025

A record year for skunk admissions at RWS

Executive Director Sarah Cooperman spoke with NBC29's Steve Rappaport about what it's been like rehabbing over 30 skunks this season at RWS.

August 21, 2025

Red-headed Woodpeckers rescued after struck by lightning

Executive Director Sarah Cooperman spoke with NBC29's Steve Rappaport about a particularly shocking wildlife rescue case this season, and their successful release!

September 11, 2025

Celebrating International Vulture Awareness Day

Executive Director Sarah Cooperman spoke with NBC29's Steve Rappaport about the importance of vultures worldwide and here in Virginia.

September 25, 2025

Peak fall migration is here in Central Virginia

Executive Director Sarah Cooperman spoke with NBC29's Steve Rappaport about bird migration this fall and how viewers can support our avian neighbors.

October 2, 2025

Sanctuary Soirée tickets are now on sale 

We spoke with NBC29 about our upcoming Sanctuary Soirée Fundraiser, including exciting early bird ticket pricing. You can buy tickets here.

July 9, 2025

Abandoned or injured animals find care at Rockfish Wildlife Sanctuary

Summertime gives more people the chance to get outdoors and makes encounters with animals out in nature more common. 

July 3, 2025

Community Conversations: Volunteering On-Site at RWS

RWS volunteer and Rivanna Master Naturalist David Volin spoke with NBC29's Steve Rappaport about his ongoing volunteerism at RWS.

June 27, 2025

106.1 The Corner radio interview

Our executive director spoke with The Corner's Samantha Federico about wildlife baby season, the Sanctuary's ambassadors, and tips for helping wildlife through extreme heat.

June 26, 2025

Community Conversations: Board Members & Volunteering at RWS

RWS board member Adam Miller spoke with NBC29's Steve Rappaport about volunteering behind the scenes at the Sanctuary.

June 12, 2025

Community Conversations: Ratsnake Patient of the Month

Executive director Sarah Cooperman spoke with NBC29's Kate Nuechterlein about a recent patient rescue story that stuck with us!

June 5, 2025

Community Conversations: Snapping Turtles

Executive director Sarah Cooperman spoke with NBC29's Steve Rappaport about snapping turtle myths, facts, and tips. 

May 12, 2025

Community Conversations: Baby Season

Executive director Sarah Cooperman spoke with NBC29's Erin Brown about the Sanctuary's busy season and upcoming renovation projects.

April 17, 2025

Rockfish Wildlife Sanctuary expects record amount of patients this baby season

We spoke with WVIR NBC29 about the start of wildlife baby season and what folks can do to help a baby animal in need.

March 28, 2025

Hummingbird migration is here! 

We spoke with the WVIR NBC29 team about attracting hummingbirds to your yard safely this migration season. 

March 19, 2025

Wildlife Wednesday: Opossum Mating Season 

We spoke with the  CBS19 team about opossum mating season tips and tricks alongside Leonard, one of our education ambassador opossums.

February 10, 2025

Education ambassador Fiona makes her debut! 

We caught up with CBS19's Cassidie Stevens to introduce Fiona, our new education ambassador opossum. 

November 20, 2024

Wildlife sanctuary takes in 1,000 patients this year so far

The very big milestone came in the form of a very small package. Two orphaned white-footed mice were rescued from Charlottesville and transported to Rockfish for care.

November 8, 2024

In the Rockfish Valley, an Animal Sanctuary Celebrates 20 Years

Nature can be brutal, but a good many of the serious injuries Sarah Cooperman sees in her patients at the Rockfish Wildlife Sanctuary are caused by humans...

June 30, 2024

Tattoo fundraiser supports Rockfish Wildlife Sanctuary

People were at Moose’s by the Creek the weekend of June 30 getting some new ink and it was all for charity.

February 9, 2024

‘Hugs N’ Bugs:’ Name a worm after an ex at Nelson County animal sanctuary

If you are not feeling the love this Valentine’s Day, one wildlife sanctuary in Nelson County has an idea.

February 8, 2024

Wildlife sanctuary raising funds by letting you name bug after an ex

 The Rockfish Wildlife Sanctuary in Nelson County is adding a fun or revengeful twist to Valentine’s Day.

October 4, 2023

Climate change brings a growing challenge for wildlife sanctuary

Executive Director Sarah Cooperman spoke with Sandy Hausman (Virginia Public Radio) about the impacts of climate change on RWS's work. 

May 24, 2023

Down the foxhole

"The Big Picture" feature in C-Ville Weekly, written about a fox rehab success story at RWS.

May 7, 2023

Selvedge Brewing hosts baby shower for Rockfish Wildlife Sanctuary

Our "wildlife baby shower" at Selvedge Brewing helped RWS collect much-needed items for our wildlife baby season.

April 1, 2023

Rockfish Wildlife Sanctuary renests two Great Horned Owlets

The Rockfish Wildlife Sanctuary and the Virginia Department of Forestry recently helped to renest two baby Great Horned owls.

March 29, 2023

'Green Future of Nelson' expo highlights conservation, natural resources

RWS was a featured participant at an expo celebrating Nelson County's conservation-oriented businesses and groups. 

January 11, 2023

There's A Little-Known Wildlife Sanctuary In Virginia And It's Magical

This animal sanctuary in Virginia is one where all ages can learn about the importance of protecting Virginia’s native species.

April 7, 2022

Nelson County women committed to protecting animals

The "Founding Mothers" helping Nelson County's domestic and wild animals.

December 24, 2021

Baby squirrels at wildlife sanctuary show signs of climate change

Rockfish Wildlife Sanctuary has received its latest ever baby wildlife admission. It's a sign that animals are picking up on climate change.

November 14, 2019

North Branch welcomes wildlife in just long enough to learn

North Branch School welcomed a few guests Thursday, including a sleepy opossum, a slithery snake, and a friendly turtle.

July 24, 2019

Teach a Reporter: Rockfish Wildlife Sanctuary

Reporter Erin Conway joins staff member Sarah Cooperman at the Sanctuary for a "day in the life" as a wildlife rehabilitator.

June 7, 2019

Fantastic Mr. Fox, at Home in Crozet

Living alongside foxes and red fox kits, with input from the Rockfish Wildlife Sanctuary team.