Today we’d like to introduce you to Brandi And Mario Nickerson.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Nature’s Edge Wildlife and Reptile Rescue was officially formed in 2012 by Brandi and Mario Nickerson and achieved 501(c)(3) nonprofit status in 2014. While the organization itself was formally established in 2012, its foundation is built on decades of hands-on wildlife rehabilitation experience.
Brandi has been involved in wildlife rehabilitation since 2000, serving in numerous roles including permitted wildlife rehabilitator, volunteer, transporter, and hands-on caregiver. Mario brings over 30 years of experience working with exotic reptiles and birds, as well as 20 years working with birds of prey. With their combined expertise, Brandi and Mario began Nature’s Edge Wildlife and Reptile Rescue to provide professional, ethical, and science-based care for native wildlife and reptiles.
For the last six years, Nature’s Edge has taken in approximately 2,200 to 2,500 animals annually, all while continuing to operate as a home-based wildlife rehabilitation facility. Not only do we care for sick, injured, and orphaned native wildlife with the goal of releasing them back into the wild, we also serve as a rescue for various pet reptiles and exotic animals, providing rehabilitation and adoption opportunities. Some of these animals may eventually find forever homes, while many remain at our sanctuary as permanent residents.
Beyond hands-on care, Brandi and Mario are dedicated educators, providing community presentations for schools, scouts, and civic groups that highlight wildlife conservation and responsible exotic animal stewardship.
A couple of years ago, Nature’s Edge relocated to Cleburne, where Brandi and Mario purchased a used mobile home that is currently being remodeled to better support rehabilitation operations. This move represents a critical step toward expanding capacity, improving infrastructure, and ensuring the long-term sustainability of the rescue, while continuing to serve wildlife, exotic animals, and the surrounding community with experience, integrity, and unwavering dedication.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
At Nature’s Edge Wildlife and Reptile Rescue, our mission is to care for sick, injured, and orphaned native wildlife, as well as rescued pet reptiles and exotic animals. While this work is deeply rewarding, one challenge affects every wildlife rehabilitator: funding.
Wildlife rehabilitators do not receive city, county, state, or federal funding. Yet, to legally care for native wildlife, we are required to hold state and federal permits. These come with permit fees, costs for continuing education, specialized enclosures, veterinary care, and, of course, food.
We strive to feed our animals diets as close as possible to what they would eat in the wild, while ensuring variety. For our birds of prey and carnivores, this includes mice, rats, rabbits, quail, chicks, and specialized carnivore diets similar to what is provided in zoos. Each species also requires its own baby formula. Squirrels, opossums, cottontails, deer, bobcats, and coyotes all have specific needs. Birds of prey and predators are especially expensive to care for, as they typically remain in rehabilitation the longest.
Over the last six years, Nature’s Edge has cared for 2,200 to 2,500 animals each year, all while operating as a home based rehabilitation facility. Donations go directly toward food, veterinary care, and maintaining enclosures, while Brandi and Mario personally cover utilities, building upkeep, and other essential costs. Mario maintains a full time job, and Brandi picks up additional work throughout the year to help cover expenses.
For the past two years, we have been working to complete our new facility in Cleburne, purchased out of our own pocket. This building will allow us to expand operations, take on more animals, and finally bring in volunteers to assist with daily care, feedings, and training new rehabilitators. Until then, every dollar goes directly into the animals’ care, leaving little room for improvements or expansion.
Fundraising is our lifeline. Without community support, the future of countless wild and exotic animals hangs in the balance. Every donation, big or small, helps provide proper nutrition, veterinary care, and safe enclosures. It allows us to continue our mission and ensure these animals get the second chance they deserve.
At Nature’s Edge, Brandi and Mario do this work alone, driven by passion, experience, and commitment. But we cannot do it without the support of our community. Your contributions directly impact the lives of thousands of animals each year, helping us provide the care they need and, whenever possible, return them safely to the wild or offer a permanent home in our sanctuary.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
What sets Nature’s Edge Wildlife and Reptile Rescue apart is the sheer range and diversity of species that Brandi and Mario care for, all within a home-based facility. Very few rehabilitators are equipped to handle both native wildlife, like birds of prey, predators, reptiles, and amphibians, and exotic animals, like tarantulas, parrots, caiman, and more, while maintaining high standards of medical care and specialized diets.
Another distinguishing feature is that they not only focus on rehabilitation and release of native wildlife, but also provide permanent sanctuary for exotic animals that cannot be placed in other homes, creating a safe haven alongside their native wildlife rehabilitation work. Brandi and Mario are also hands-on educators, actively reaching out to schools, scouts, and civic groups to teach wildlife conservation and responsible exotic pet stewardship.
In addition, Mario is a qualified venomous snake instructor for Adaptation Environmental, providing specialized training in the safe handling and management of venomous reptiles; a rare skill that sets their expertise apart. Both Brandi and Mario also serve as Board Members At-Large for the Dallas-Fort Worth Herpetological Society, contributing their knowledge and experience to the broader herpetology community.
What makes their work especially remarkable is that they do it almost entirely independently, funding the majority of their operations themselves, while still managing to care for thousands of animals every year. Their dedication, expertise, and willingness to tackle complex species and challenging cases truly sets Nature’s Edge apart.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
The quality that is most important to our success is dedication. Wildlife rehabilitation and exotic animal care require long hours, meticulous attention to detail, and unwavering commitment. From feeding specialized diets and providing individualized medical care to maintaining safe and enriched enclosures, every aspect of our work demands consistency and focus.
Equally important is adaptability. Every animal is different, and every situation presents unique challenges—from medical emergencies to behavioral issues. Our ability to assess each situation, problem-solve in real time, and provide the appropriate care is critical to giving each animal the best chance at recovery and survival.
Finally, passion drives everything we do. The work can be physically and financially demanding, and we face these challenges largely independently. It is our genuine love for animals and belief in their value that motivates us to keep going, even when the obstacles are significant. Dedication, adaptability, and passion are the qualities that enable us to care for thousands of animals each year and make Nature’s Edge a success.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.NEWRR.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/naturesedgewildliferescue
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Naturesedgewildliferescue
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/c/NaturesEdgeWildlifeandReptileRescue
Image Credits
Joshua Fread -bobcat
SpotPerfect all others
