Who We Are

Laura is the Executive Director of Nebraska Wildlife Rehab, Inc. She is an IWRC Certified Wildlife Rehabilitator and has been a multi-species wildlife rehabilitator and public educator for more than 19 years. Laura has extensive experience in animal-related fields – She has worked as a veterinary practice manager; was the executive director of a humane society and conducted cruelty investigations for the state of Minnesota; and has served on disaster relief and wide-scale rescue teams for the HSUS. She has spent part of her professional career in the financial services industry and all of her adult life involved in the operations of small non-profits – as an employee, board member, or volunteer.

Ellie is the Rescue and Rehabilitation Coordinator at NWR. She graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Respiratory Therapy from Midland University and has worked in animal-related fields since 2014. Ellie started working with NWR as a summer intern in 2014 and now oversees the logistics of caring for over 7,000 animals annually.

Alex is a filmmaker, photographer, and storyteller based out of Omaha, NE. His interest in conservation initiatives takes him around the world where he documents the challenges faced by wildlife and the work of those who wish to protect it. He is an Emerging Fellow with the International League of Conservation Photographers and a recipient of the 2019 Jackson Wild Media Lab Fellowship.

Laura Connelly graduated from Creighton in 2011 with a B.A. in psychology and a B.A. in philosophy, and worked as a zookeeper, vet assistant, environmental educator, and naturalist before going back to school in 2017 for her B.S. in biology. She plans to complete her degree and start her M.S. in biology at UNO in the fall of 2020. She’s currently involved with several research projects focused on bats, snakes, small mammals, and insects. She also assists with prescribed burns in Nebraska, Iowa, and Kansas and tutors students in biology and algebra, in addition to teaching for NWR in several after-school programs.

Matt works with adults and kids in elementary through high school to better understand and respect the world around them. Before co-founding Big Muddy Urban Farm and working in the urban agricultural field, Matthew graduated from Central High School (GO EAGLES) in 2007. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in Urban Studies from the University of Minnesota with minors in sustainability, social justice, and anthropology. Currently, Matthew is an adjunct professor and greenhouse manager at Iowa Western Community College, teacher at Montessori Children's Room, outreach coordinator for an environmental advocacy group, and educator with NWR. Matt also serves as the president of the Douglas County Farmers Union and is a long-time volunteer with his neighborhood's community garden, youth garden programming and youth soccer camp.

Lauren Darnold is from Waverly, IA and holds a degree in Animal Science from Iowa State University. She has previously worked with the Wildlife Care Clinic of Ames in rehabilitation and education, with Girl Scouts of America, and as a small mammal zookeeper at Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium. Currently she also works in outdoor education with Nebraska Game and Parks and does animal care at Schramm Education Center. She likes to focus on the ethical treatment and welfare of captive wild animals and creating personal experiences and bonds between people and our natural world.

Angelina McIntosh graduated from UNO with a Bachelor of Science in Biology. She has spent time volunteering with Nebraska Wildlife Rehab, Nebraska Humane Society, Fontenelle Forest, Raptor Recovery, and the Nature Conservancy. When she’s not spending time in nature, she is working in the arts and has taught students at local art studios and has done mural work around Omaha.