About FLWC

    Finger Lakes Wildlife Center (FLWC), Inc. is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization that is currently working hard to build a wildlife education center on the border of Farmington and Palmyra, NY.  FLWC plans to serve as an outdoor classroom by teaching people of all ages about the natural history, behaviors, ecological value, and conservation status of plants and animals in the region. Educators for FLWC will impart a passion and appreciation for nature, and lead visitors in citizen science activities to promote science literacy. FLWC also has plans for a small children's zoo, which will feature domestic farm animals, aimed at teaching the public animal husbandry and about agricultural influence on the region.

   FLWC was founded by John and Erin Lord-Astles in 2014. John is a graduate of St. John Fisher College with a BS in Accounting. He has nearly a decade of experience in public accounting, specializing in not-for-profits, and previously served the Director of Finance at the Arc of Seneca Cayuga. Currently, John works as Senior Associate Executive Director and CFO at the Ontario ARC. John acts as FLWC's Chief Financial Officer, as well as the Vice President and Treasurer of the Board of Directors at FLWC.

   Erin is a graduate of SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry with a BS in Wildlife Science. She worked as a naturalist and educator for Wolf Mountain Nature Center before accepting a position as a California Sea Lion Trainer and Zookeeper of primates, small mammals, hoofstock, reptiles, and invertebrates at the Utica Zoo. Erin then worked as a Wildlife Education Specialist for Bridges for Brain Injury in Farmington, NY where she helped care for 60 native and exotic animals, as well as educated adults with disabilities on animal husbandry, training, and enrichment. Erin now works as an Adjunct Instructor of Wildlife at Finger Lakes Community College, as well as a Conservation Outreach Educator at the FLCC Muller Field Station. As of 2021, Erin also serves as Director for The Wolf Mountain Nature Center in Smyrna, NY. Erin is President of FLWC Board of Directors, as well as Director of Animal Operations. She is dedicated to maintaining and improving facilities here at FLWC, and is working hard to allocate funds necessary to progress with FLWC goals.

Board Members: Grant Hummel, Robert Williams, Samantha Hauke, Amie Hayes, Tom Hayes, Shannon Oiustas.