Many people ask how NIWRA began. In 1984, Robin Campbell, NIWRA's founder, discovered a Great Horned Owl entangled in a neighbor's fence, its wing mangled and in need of emergency care. It was Christmas day and the Christmas dinner would have to wait. Spirit, as the Owl was later named became our first of many casualties at the Buckley Bay Wildlife Recovery Centre (by the Denman Island Ferry).

Later in 1986, the newly formed association moved to an eight acre parcel of land in Errington, BC, and changed its name to North Island Wildlife Recovery Association, hoping to serve the north end of Vancouver Island, B.C., not knowing at the time we would be receiving animals from as far away as Saskatchewan.

NIWRA became internationally known when a local farmer unknowingly left a euthanised cow in a field for the eagles to eat. The cow had been euthanised with a barbiturate and should have been buried. Neighbours of the farmer began calling NIWRA when they discovered eagles lying lifeless on the ground. Due to the tremendous community support and the media, NIWRA, volunteers and veterinarians were able to save and release 25 of the 29 eagles that were found.