August 25, 2025

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Harmony Wildlife, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to the rehabilitation of native Tennessee wildlife, today announced it has received a significant legacy gift from Willow Bend Nature Center, a wildlife rehab which operated in Spring Hill, Tenn.

This donation will directly support Harmony Wildlife’s mission by enhancing animal care facilities, expanding community outreach programs, and helping to secure the long-term sustainability of its wildlife rehabilitation efforts across Tennessee.

Upon closing its doors, the board of Willow Bend Nature Center chose to entrust its remaining funds to an organization with a shared commitment to conservation and education. The decision ensures that their long-standing mission to support Tennessee wildlife will continue to make a powerful impact.

“It's an honor to be able to pass it along to do good things for Tennessee wildlife,” said Jenn Rupright, former Executive Director of Willow Bend Nature Center.

Harmony Wildlife, based in Nashville, provides professional medical care to hundreds of sick, injured, and orphaned wild animals annually, with the ultimate goal of returning them to their natural habitats. This contribution from Willow Bend will be instrumental in meeting the ever-growing need for wildlife assistance in the region.

“We are incredibly humbled to be the stewards of Willow Bend's legacy,” said Stasia Kudrez, Executive Director of Harmony Wildlife. “This donation is not just financial support; it's a vote of confidence in our work. We are committed to honoring Willow Bend’s mission by using these assets to give native animals a second chance at life.”

Harmony Wildlife will carry forward the spirit of Willow Bend's work by continuing to serve the public and protect the state's precious natural heritage.

About Harmony Wildlife

Harmony Wildlife cares for Tennessee's orphaned and injured wildlife and returns them to the wild. We help neighbors who have questions about the native wild animals they encounter in their backyards. We provide a temporary place for animals to mature or recover with the goal of release into their natural habitats. We believe that helping humans understand and peacefully coexist with native wildlife makes the world a better place for everyone.

In June 2023, Harmony Wildlife partnered with TennGreen Land Conservancy to place a conservation easement on the West Nashville property. This conservation easement will forever protect Harmony’s forest from development. At the risk of anthropomorphism, we believe the local animals are expressing their gratitude.

Learn how to protect your land.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The James & Wanda Hollensteiner Foundation, a private foundation based in Rollins, Montana, and the estate of the late Eliot T Armistead have provided Harmony Wildlife Rehabilitation Center with a significant donation to construct a new songbird aviary. The new enclosure will be dedicated to the memories of Eliot Armistead and Wanda Hollensteiner, both avid nature lovers who enjoyed birdwatching.

The Harmony team is ecstatic to have the resources to build a custom habitat for Tennessee native songbirds. This enclosure, which will exceed standards set by the National Wildlife Rehabilitators Association, will allow animals like Eastern bluebirds, American Goldfinches, Northern Cardinals, American Robins, Cedar Waxwings, Northern Mockingbirds (Tennessee’s state bird), and many more to complete their rehabilitation before release into their natural habitats.

According to Jena Hollensteiner Armistead, “The decision to support this initiative was an easy one. As residents of West Meade Park, we are committed to the protection and welfare of wildlife. Through Harmony Wildlife’s incredible work, we all benefit in so many ways. Our gift to this organization is, in fact, a gift to us.” Anastasia Kudrez, Harmony’s Executive Director, states, “We are deeply grateful for the generosity of the Armistead and Hollensteiner families to advance our vision. We are fortunate to live in a neighborhood with people who care about wild animals and preserving the natural beauty of West Meade’s woods.”  

The new enclosure, named “The Armistead Aviary” is under construction and is expected to be ready to house birds in August 2023. If you’d like to help with this project, please contact stasia@harmonywildlife.org.

In December 2022, a wildlife biologist from Leiper's Fork contacted Harmony about an American Crow she found on the ground. It was alert but could not stand. She brought the crow to Harmony and after two months of supportive care, we were thrilled to release "Mr. Crow" back in his home territory. 

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee, a charitable organization dedicated to enriching the quality of life in the 40 Middle Tennessee counties it serves, announces $2,802,040 in grants to 432 nonprofit organizations as part of the 2022 annual grantmaking process.

Harmony Wildlife Rehabilitation Center has received a $3,200 grant to purchase specialized milk replacement formulas, seeds, food, and dietary supplements for injured and orphaned wild animals. Thanks to the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee, Harmony can care for more baby raccoons, squirrels, opossums, rabbits, skunks, hawks, owls, and other animals in 2023.

“The work of our nonprofit partners has never been more important as we watch needs emerge and evolve in this community,” said Ellen Lehman, president of The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee. “The Community Foundation is honored to connect generosity with need through these annual grants and other avenues throughout the year, but we couldn’t have an impact without the array of quality nonprofits offering solutions to our community’s needs and vital services to our neighbors.”

The Community Foundation awards discretionary grants annually from its unrestricted and field-of-interest funds through an open application process to Middle Tennessee nonprofits organizations addressing community needs and benefiting the well-being of citizens through valuable programs and innovative services. 

More information on the grant process is online at www.cfmt.org.

About The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee 

The Community Foundation exists to promote and facilitate giving in the 40 counties of Middle Tennessee and beyond. It does this by accepting gifts of any size from anyone at any time and by empowering individuals, families, companies, nonprofits and communities to respond to needs and opportunities that matter. The Community Foundation works with people who have great hearts, whether or not they have great wealth, to craft solutions that reflect their intentions and goals. For more information, call 615-321-4939 or visit www.cfmt.org.