Mary Reid Barrow Wildlife Advocate Award Recipient Honored by Parks & Recreation

Lisa Barlow, a dedicated wildlife rehabilitator and advocate with Tidewater Rehabilitation and Environmental Education (TREE), was recently named the 2026 recipient of the Mary Reid Barrow Wildlife Advocate Award by Virginia Beach Parks & Recreation. The peer-nominated award, presented in February as part of the 16th annual Winter Wildlife Festival, honors individuals in our community who contribute by celebrating, advocating and educating individuals about local wildlife.

Barlow’s passion for wildlife education and rehabilitation has touched countless lives across Hampton Roads and beyond. Through her leadership at TREE, she and her team admitted 1,521 patients across 147 species in 2024 alone, helping thousands of animals recover and return safely to their natural habitats. Her dedication to hands-on care, combined with efforts to educate the community, empowers individuals to become active environmental stewards.

Barlow and TREE offer expertise to local clubs, schools, organizations, and wildlife conferences, speaking on both general and specialized topics in migratory bird care and wildlife rehabilitation. They also provide training for veterinary, animal control, and rehabilitation organizations, sharing decades of experience and best practices with the broader wildlife community.

One particularly moving story demonstrates Barlow's dedication. Her team successfully rescued a female duck found struggling in Virginia Beach with a fishing hook caught in her foot and bill. After surgery and nearly two months of therapy in Barlow’s own home, the duck was successfully released back to the spot where she was first found.

Similar stories include dozens of injured geese, owls, and other wildlife she and her team have nursed back to health, even during harsh winter months, ensuring these animals can thrive despite the challenges of an ever-changing environment and overbuilt communities.

Wildlife Advocate Award

Named after Mary Reid Barrow, who devoted her career to connecting the public with the natural environment, the Wildlife Advocate Award celebrates those who carry on her legacy. Barlow embodies these qualities through her tireless efforts to make nature accessible, relatable and respected by all. Her work continues to inspire future generations of wildlife advocates.

To learn more about TREE and Lisa Barlow’s work, visit tidewaterrehabilitation.org. For more about the Winter Wildlife Festival, visit winterwildlifevb.com.

• Winter Wildlife Festival