Big ideas, real impact.
One day a man was walking along the beach when he noticed a boy picking something up and gently throwing it into the ocean.
Approaching the boy, he asked, “What are you doing?” The youth replied, “Throwing starfish back into the ocean. The surf is up and the tide is going out. If I don’t throw them back, they’ll die.”
“Son,” the man said, “don’t you realize there are miles and miles of beach and hundreds of starfish? You can’t make a difference!”
After listening politely, the boy bent down, picked up another starfish, and threw it back into the surf. Then, smiling at the man, he said…” I made a difference for that one.”
Indigo Fox & Olive Co. was built on a foundation of compassion.
From our beginnings as State of Texas permitted wildlife rehabilitators, we have always believed that even the smallest and most vulnerable amongst us are deserving of respect. Our namesake bloomed from that belief. Years ago, we got an alert from some friends that a homeowner’s dog had brought a pair of baby unknown animals to its house, and that people were telling the finder they were dealing with kittens and to put them back. There were several problems with this. First, they weren’t kittens, and second, since the finder had no idea where their dog had found them, they had no way of returning them. And third, people who had an idea of what they were weren’t certain, and didn’t have the legal permits to possess them.
With a lot of thanks to our friends for alerting us, and a lot of grace, we ended up with two perfect two-week-old fox kits. Originally named Olive, a beautiful female, and Pop-eye, a lovely little male (we name our animals alphabetically to help keep track of how many come in throughout the year and make discussions about treatments and feedings more efficient), we slowly learned that Pop-eye would keep his blue eye color. We gave him a name that honored his very unique eye color. Indigo. Both Indigo and Olive were successfully released on property totaling over 500 acres. The owners of these properties are amazing stewards of our natural spaces, and indeed Indigo and Olive are very fortunate to call that space home today.
Indigo and Olive teach us that protecting wild spaces, and understanding how humans and animals live alongside each other is so important. Today, we still advocate for the vulnerable wildlife around us through wildlife rehabilitation, education, and habitat management as we work to help people learn human impact on the environment, and things we can do in our own homes to improve life for all. Come learn nature with us!
Explore the Natural World with a Wildlife Biologist
Kari is a wildlife biologist, educator, and interpretive naturalist with more than 20 years of experience connecting people with the natural world. Since 2004, her work has included serving as a park ranger and nature center manager, developing and presenting educational programs, and working with zoological organizations in Texas and internationally.
Kari is also a permitted wildlife rehabilitator specializing in North American bobcats. Her experience working directly with wildlife gives her programs a practical foundation in animal behavior, ecology, and conservation.
Through Indigo Fox & Olive Co., Kari creates hands-on nature programs that encourage careful observation, critical thinking, and genuine curiosity. Her teaching style makes complex ecological concepts approachable without reducing them to simple facts—giving participants the opportunity to investigate, make connections, and think like a naturalist.