Meet VALERIE MOTYKA | Conservation Entrepreneur

We had the good fortune of connecting with VALERIE MOTYKA and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi VALERIE, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I’m not sure if it was a thought process or sheer panic.

A wildlife rescue center I volunteered for was shut down after we had rebuilt the entire facility at a new location. The authorities determined that the efforts were too little, too late, and it sent me into a pretty deep depression.

I watched the education animals I had worked with for years get seized right in front of me, never to see them again. I watched the aviaries I had helped build sit empty and go to waste. Then, the following year, I watched the exact same thing happen to another rescue center in the same district.

So Arizona Wildlife Resource was born with a mission to assist licensed wildlife rehabilitation centers with field support and instead of building another traditional rescue, I wanted to focus on preventing wildlife conflicts through practical solutions.

WIldlife is in huge decline because of habitat loss and poison use – Therefore we started a business to support habitat building and teaching poison free pest management so we can help the wildlife before rescue is ever needed.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Arizona Wildlife Resource was built on the idea that rescue alone isn’t enough. We focus on preventing wildlife conflicts before they happen by combining habitat restoration with poison-free pest management. Our goal is simple: increase biodiversity while decreasing chemical demand.

What sets us apart is that we look for the root cause of environmental problems rather than simply treating the symptoms. We don’t just build nest boxes—we teach people how to use wildlife as part of an effective, poison-free pest management program. When needed, we also provide targeted fumigation for pocket gophers in agricultural fields as a tool to protect crops while predator populations become established.

We work with wildlife rescues, farmers, arborists, developers, and strategic habitat builders to restore native vegetation and bring the right wildlife back into landscapes after construction or within agricultural operations.

We’re not just about rescuing animals—we’re about creating healthier ecosystems, stronger communities, and practical conservation solutions that are sustainable.

Our mission is to provide wildlife-friendly pest control and habitat loss solutions for individuals and businesses that value conservation.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I would take them to Tucson to experience some of the area’s beautiful gardens. We’d have lunch at places like Tohono Chul, the Tucson Botanical Gardens, or Hacienda del Sol. I’d probably drag my friend Carrienne from Strategic Habitats along to share her knowledge, tour some of Mr. Lancaster’s gardens around town, and finish the day by picking up native plants at Spadefoot Nursery.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Carianne Fucinelli https://www.strategichabitats.com/

Website: https://azwildliferesource.org/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/azwildlifesupport/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Arizonawildlifesupport/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@arizonawildliferesource