Ducks and Rabbits Receive a Special Delivery

Representation of a group of teens each using a smartphone

Smart Use for Healthy Minds

May 22, 2025

May 1, 2025

Hand-crafted animal shelters are the result of strong community collaboration and Brewster High School carpentry student skill.

What began as a simple inquiry about animal needs at Green Chimneys grew into a wonderful collaboration and very special donation from Brewster High School carpentry teacher Glenn Palmieri and his students. On April 23^rd, Green Chimneys welcomed the large group of students to officially receive their set of seven hand-built shelters for the rabbits and ducks at the Farm & Wildlife Center. It was an ideal opportunity for Green Chimneys staff and students to express their appreciation, and for the high school woodworkers to see the value of what they had built; that their projects will have a genuine impact on the animals and their well-being.

Carpentry Collaboration

Green Chimneys Program Managers Maureen Doherty (Farm), Dave Spillo (Wildlife), and Danielle Zalewski (Livestock) collaborated with Glenn on project needs and specifications so that his students could create structures to suit the duck and rabbit enclosures, and support the animals’ day-to-day living habits. Consideration of materials and design details included non-pressure treated wood for the duck shelters to be placed around a pond, and rabbit hutch dimensions to accommodate up to four furry guests at a time.

Dave and Danielle treated the student group to a special tour of the Farm & Wildlife Center, describing how the animals assist in educational and therapeutic activities for Green Chimneys School students, and the importance of providing optimal care for each and every horse, goat, pig and hawk. They even met the animals who would directly benefit from their hard work.

Green Chimneys Vice President of Nature-Based Programs Michael Kaufmann is so pleased to have had this opportunity to partner: “These projects really were needed, and the impact kids can have on their community – especially during the week of Earth Day – is such an important concept for young people to internalize.”

Future Connections

There are plans for BHS carpentry students to create future projects for Green Chimneys. It’s a meaningful community partnership that will continue to benefit students at two wonderful schools and, of course, the invaluable animal partners at the Green Chimneys Farm & Wildlife Center.

Animals Helping Children,
Children Helping Animals

The Sam and Myra Ross Farm & Wildlife Center is home to over 300 farm animals, horses, and permanently injured or imprinted wildlife. The center serves as an adjunct to classroom education and therapeutic activities for Green Chimneys School students. Through the care of animals and gardens, students with social, emotional, and behavioral challenges are developing key skills and coping tools. Learn more about our nature-based approach to education→

Gyrfalcon

Crowned the best for falconry in medieval times, gyrfalcons were once reserved for kings. As the largest falcon in the world, with exquisite plumage ranging from bright white to deep charcoal, gyrs are revered for their powerful skill of flight. Their long wings make hunting waterfowl from 3,000-feet-high a feasible and fantastical feat. This falcon was flown in the sport of falconry for several years.