Join in this free, rare opportunity for the family to learn about and see live native wildlife up close.

Come see a bald eagle, bobcat, ringtail, and many bird and reptile species at the free Adobe Mountain Wildlife Center's 30th anniversary open house on Saturday, Nov. 23 and Sunday, Nov. 24 from 10-3 p.m. daily.

During this rare glimpse into the center's operations, visitors will have the opportunity to see wildlife up close, view educational displays, make wildlife-related crafts and meet wildlife experts.

Thirty years ago, the Arizona Game and Fish Department opened the first state-run wildlife rehabilitation and education center. Today, the center has provided wildlife triage, treatment and rehabilitation to more than 30,000 sick or injured animals and delivered wildlife education programs to millions of people at events and schools.

Its original focus, when founded in 1983, was on treating and rehabilitating sick and injured wildlife. While the center still continues to provide care to wild animals, it also focuses heavily on educating the public about Arizona's diverse native wildlife.

It is operated with a small budget from the Heritage Fund, a voter-passed initiative that provides for wildlife conservation and education through Arizona lottery ticket sales, and operated by the Game and Fish Department with help from the Adobe Mountain Wildlife Auxiliary.

The center depends on public support to care for the vast number of animals that come through its doors. The following donations are always very welcome:

• Paper towels

• Plastic storage bags (quart or gallon)

• Dawn dish soap

• Laundry bleach

• Heavy-duty trash bags (30-33 gallon)

• Tall kitchen trash bags (13 gallon)

• Gift cards to grocery and hardware stores

• Game meat (good quality, not freezer burned)

• Monetary contributions

The wildlife center is located north of Pinnacle Peak Road just west of I-17 in Phoenix. It is on the same property as the Adobe Mountain School & Facility. Officers and volunteers will be giving directions for parking once at the facility.

Admission and parking for the open house are free, and food will be available for purchase.

For more information about the Adobe Mountain Wildlife Center, visit http://www.azgfd.gov/wildlifecenter.