Dawson's Lights 2025

15th Annual Dawson’s Light Event - Join us for this important year end Fundraiser and shine a bright light of HOPE for juvenile wildlife in need. With every bulb you light up on our tree you give wildlife a second chance. Funds will be used to rescue, feed and care for injured and/or orphaned wildlife to facilitate their release back into the wild.

The big project for 2026 will be to secure funding to give the bear enclosure build in 2017 with your help a much-needed overhaul. Over 250 bears were so far housed in this enclosure and certainly left their mark. The sand needs to be stripped & replaced, dens and platforms need to be partially rebuilt and expanded, the feeding area requires a concrete floor to be more sanitary and avoid food contamination that can lead to illness.

Together we can make a difference and ensure best practices to care for wildlife in need.

Last year our tree was instrumental in securing funds to build a 10 acre enclosure for our moose & deer babies. This project was completed in October, and our moose calves are truly enjoying their natural space. Their release is scheduled for spring of 2026.

Dawson's History

How It Began (2011)
Dawson’s Lights started in 2011, when Northern Lights Wildlife Shelter faced a, then-new record, intake of 29 orphaned cubs, including one named Dawson. Long-time supporter Dorothy Avery proposed a simple, beautiful idea to help close the budget gap, sell “bulbs” to light a community tree in honor of the cubs, and let every light represent hope.

The Idea in Action
Supporters donate to add lights that illuminate the Dawson’s Lights tree, with proceeds funding food, shelter, and medical care for wildlife in our care. The fundraiser quickly grew beyond the tree: for the four weekends leading up to Christmas, NLWS hosts online games, mini-events, and friendly challenges that bring the community together.

Growth & Impact
What began as an emergency appeal has become NLWS’s largest annual fundraiser and a cornerstone of our year. Dawson’s Lights now provides a significant share of our operating funds, sustaining rescues, rehabilitation, and rewilding work through the winter and beyond.

Why It Matters
Every bulb tells a story—of a cub fed, a patient treated, a release made possible. Dawson’s legacy reminds us that a community of small acts can light the darkest season for wildlife in need.

Be Part of the Tradition
Join us this holiday season: dedicate a light, play along with the weekend events, and help us keep the Dawson’s Lights tree shining for the animals who need it most.