CALABASAS, Calif. — Many building suppliers were running low on plywood and other wood products this year, following the nationwide protests and election anxiety that saw many businesses boarding up their shop windows for extra security.

But now, many of these businesses are coming out of their wood shells, and some members of the community — like the California Wildlife Center in Calabasas — have been helping recycle the wood.

From raptors and baby hummingbirds, to marine animals, squirrels and coyotes, the CWC takes in over 4,000 injured or abandoned animals per year. Executive director Jennifer Brent has been working in animal welfare for 25 years and was dismayed at the level of anxiety across the U.S. — but also saw the wood as opportunity.

"I felt really sad that we were at such a place as a nation," said Brent. "So when I saw the plywood on the buildings, I said, 'Let me just throw up a post on Instagram. We'll see if anybody responds. If I get a couple of sheets, it’s still a savings.'"

The response to Brent's post was very welcoming, as the CWC builds its own shelters and implements like marine animal guiders, mostly out of plywood and two-by-fours.

Many of the animals that end up at the CWC are injured or orphaned due to humans encroaching on wildlife habitats.

"People push into previously unoccupied areas," said Brent. "They're going to come in conflict. We get about 30,000 calls each year from members of the public."

The center limits human interaction with the wild animals so that they aren't acclimatized to humans which is why they build shelters to keep them safe while they recuperate. 

Brent explained that the wood donations came mainly from mom and pop businesses who were happy to be of help.

“Hair salons, dance studios, [shops] that were all boarded up — but we've been really fortunate. We've got not just sheets of plywood, but we've also received two-by-fours which obviously we need in order to build our structures.”

Brent added that the center has reached its donation limit now, and they have plenty of wood to build new structures and repair old ones. But people are still calling in to donate, and the CWC has been redirecting the calls to others in need.

“We're referring people to a gentleman who builds shelters for community kitchens,” said Brent.

Although the wood donations here at the CWC are only a small portion of what's out there, she hopes the word will get out, and more members of the community will find ways to recycle and keep wood out of landfills.