Educational Programs
Ferncroft offers educational programs tailored for carious age group and interests. From kids to elderly, community groups to classrooms, learning how to peacefully coexist with wildlife is a topic of interest for everyone. Ambassadors provides an opportunity to meet an opossum and to learn about these gentle creatures. All programs can be adapted to fit your needs
For Families/General Audience
All About Opossums - Backyard Wildlife
Bill and I feel that educating the public is as important as rehabbing animals to save wildlife.
For a general program, appropriate for all ages, “Backyard Wildlife –All About Opossums” is a favorite, especially with families. We discuss wildlife rehabilitation and focus on opossums. A PowerPoint presentation describes the development of opossums from birth to adults.
Community Events can be a combination of “Meet & Greet” along with a brief presentation to accommodate specific requests.
Our programs are usually 60 minutes in length.
We bring an ambassadors to all programs. The ambassadors wear a harness and leash, and they
are very gentle. Guests are not allowed to hold them, but we encourage guests to pet their soft
fur. Kids love letting an ambassadors grasp their finger with a tail.
There is time at the end for Q&A and a meet & greet to have a photo taken with an ambassador.
Opossums are a draw – everyone who meets them are instant opossum lovers! They are gentle and beautiful animals.
For Children/Families
Children's Program - From Pouch to Couch
We love presenting educational programs about wildlife, specifically about opossums. As retired teachers, we feel that education is as important as rehabbing animals to save our wildlife.
“Backyard Wildlife –All About Opossums” is a favorite, especially with older children.
For younger children (age 5-7), we offer “From Pouch to Couch”. This program is based on our book “From Pouch to Couch” and is a more casual approach that encourages interaction with the
children. From Pouch to Couch” is presented on PowerPoint, complete with photos and videos of opossums that the kids really enjoy.
Children’s programs are usually 30-45 minutes in length. We can adapt the program if you have special requests.
We bring one of our ambassadors to all programs. The ambassadors wear a harness and leash,
and they are very gentle. Guests are not allowed to hold them, but we encourage guests to pet
their soft fur. Kids love letting the ambassadors grasp their fingers with a tail.
There is time at the end for Q&A and “meet & greet”, to have a photo taken with an ambassador.
*Private group visits can be arranged by appointment.
For Families/General Audience
Special Programs
- Presidents Day
- Summer Camp
- Bible School
Professional Workshops
Held at Ferncroft. All About Opossums – Rescue, Rehab, Release
Appropriate for new & aspiring rehabbers, ACO’s, Vet Tech, Wildlife caregivers.
2 half-day workshops = 10 hrs. credit
Virginia Opossum Mentor
Pam Lefferts Woodstock, CT 508-864-7274
Pamela Lefferts is co-founder of Ferncroft Wildlife Rescue with her husband Bill.
Retired educators, the Lefferts love to share their passion and knowledge of how and what “rehabbing” entails. In 2016 the Lefferts, both licensed CT Wildlife Rehabilitators, opened Ferncroft Wildlife Rescue, located in Woodstock CT.
A non-profit facility, specializing in working with opossums, Ferncroft holds Federal permits to keep non-releasable animals and permits for public educational programs in CT, MA and RI. Ferncroft also offers an apprentice program and volunteer opportunities. The Lefferts provide many public programs, both live and virtual.
Ferncroft has been featured on local television programs, news stories and environmental centers.
Using PowerPoint and humor, Ferncroft presentations are both entertaining and informative.
Pamela retired after many years in the field of education, her background is nursing, community education and International relations. She nursed and taught community health before joining a prestigious private boarding school, where for 28 years she wore many hats including Director of Community Service, Director of Residence and Director of International Relations.
Pam authored a children’s book “From Pouch to Couch: Why Lavender the Opossum Lives in a House” to help children understand that wild animals are not pets and that ambassador animals are unable to survive in the wild. Ferncroft Ambassador opossums have educated thousands of people worldwide.
Workshop 1
All About Opossums
Discussion, Videos, Hands-on. Introduces you to the specifics of opossums and how they differ. Caging to admission to release is discussed Hands-on with adult ambassadors Handouts provided.
Workshop 2
Rescue, Rehab, Release Opossums
Discussion, Videos, Hands-on. Specific care of opossums from neonates to adults. Feeding, injuries/Illness/Treatments. Release Criteria. Hands on-neonates/adolescents.
More on our Education Programs
Programs & Specific Requests
We can adapt any program to your specific requests. Additionally, we discuss various topics such as supporting wildlife during winter, preparing emergency roadside kits, turning your property into a sanctuary, learning more about becoming a rehabber or wildlife volunteer, etc.
Whichever program you choose, there is always time at the end for Q&A and to “meet and greet ” ambassadors. We usually take two ambassadors. They wear a harness and leash, we supervise during the meet and greet.
2025 Ferncroft Wildlife Brochure
