Project Report
| May 11, 2026
Spring 2026: Bobcat Sarge Back on Exhibit
By Grace Rietscha | Grant Coordinator
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The Virginia Living Museum’s favorite three-legged bobcat has returned to exhibit! Sarge the bobcat has been behind-the-scenes while his exhibit on our boardwalk trail was being renovated- something that was only possible due to donors like you!
Sarge has long been a favorite at the Virginia Living Museum. He was hit by a car as a kitten before he came to the Museum, which left him with an injured leg that his care team eventually decided to amputate.
The loss of his right front leg makes him unable to be released into the wild, but it doesn’t keep him from running, climbing, and interacting with enrichment. His renovated exhibit is designed with climbing platforms where Sarge can relax in the sun and watch the guests that have come to see him. Sarge lives next to the Wild Care Center along the boardwalk trail behind the Museum, and he hopes to see you soon.
Links:
Jan 16, 2026
Winter 2026: New Animal Updates
By Grace Rietscha | Grant Coordinator
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Beatrice
GlobalGiving donors support the growth of living exhibits and education! The Virginia Living Museum is excited to share the new animals that have entered our care. We recently welcomed Beatrice the opossum and Loki & Lyra the coyote pups.
Beatrice is a year-old opossum whose leg injury makes her unreleasable. She serves as an animal ambassador at the Museum, providing guests with the chance for a personal encounter. When she’s in her exhibit she enjoys napping and running on her wheel.
Loki & Lyra came as a bonded pair to the Museum from the San Diego Humane Society’s Project Wildlife program, and they now live in an exhibit on our outdoor trails. The duo were orphaned and became too close to humans to be returned to the wild. The pups enjoy running around their exhibit and hanging out together.
These new additions help the Museum achieve its mission of connecting people to nature through educational experiences that promote conservation. In December, our AZA accreditation was recertified, assuring that every animal at the Museum receives the highest standard of care.
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Loki & Lyra
Links:
Sep 17, 2025
Fall 2025 Update: A Year of Science Learning at the Virginia Living Museum
By Claudia Kessel | Advancement Writer
![Students at the Virginia Living Museum, fall 2025]()
Students at the Virginia Living Museum, fall 2025
As our 59th school year begins, we want to take a moment to celebrate the educational impact you made in the 2024-2025 school year!
Because of you:
- Over 30,000 K–12 students engaged with the Virginia Living Museum. Whether they came for a guided field trip, structured on-site program, camp, or enjoyed a classroom outreach experience, each one left with a deeper understanding of, and connection to, the natural world.
- We delivered over 95,000 hands-on, SOL-aligned STEM educational experiences: lessons that didn’t just teach science, but sparked curiosity, built confidence, and inspired future careers.
- More than 380 K-12 teachers were served through programs like Teacher Night Out and Newport News Teacher Appreciation Day.
- Students were educated from 687 total schools, including 28 Virginia public school districts, with most participating students from Newport News, Hampton, York County, and other Hampton Roads communities. These included 158 Title I schools, which receive federal funding to serve high-poverty student populations.
Last school year, you helped bring science learning to life in powerful, unforgettable ways. From exploring STEM careers, discovering astronomy and earth science, to interacting with live ambassador animals and building engineering skills, students were given a chance to learn by doing—thanks to you.
As we prepare for the year ahead, your continued support will help us welcome even more students and expand access to engaging, high-quality science education for all.
Help us start the school year off strong by making a gift today. Together, we can spark curiosity, grow young minds, and shape a brighter future - one student at a time.