Bring on the next round of rainfall, said Monique Liguori, executive director of the Suisun Marsh Natural History Association and its Wildlife Center, which has a new roof in time for seasonal precipitation.

That roof was a much-needed and long-desired goal, Liguori said.

The original roof was built in 1986-87, and “had taken the blows of sun, rain and the ‘land of the west wind’ for many years, and had some serious problems,” she said.

Board President Jerry Emanuelson took charge of the drive for a new roof, as he has done with similar projects in the past, she said.

Aid also came from another familiar source: the Travis Air Force Base community.

“When we built the Education Wing in 2013, a big component of the labor were skilled carpenters from the U.S. Air Force 60th CES/CEM at Travis Air Force Base,” Liguori said. “They went far above and beyond what they had committed to on that project with the support of their commander, Lt. Col. Patrick Carley.”

So Liguori, Emanuelson and other members of the association were delighted to learn that Travis Air Force Base staff would be helping with the Wildlife Center’s roofing project.

“We were excited and overwhelmed,” she said.

The construction was completed in plenty of time for the building to withstand the late 2014 rains.

Not only did Travis members under Carley’s command provide skilled labor, they also brought in the necessary equipment, Emanuelson said.

Under the direction of Mike Southward, a retired roofer, and Master Sergeant Steven Sloan, who organized the Travis team, the base’s members stripped the underlayment and roofing materials, completed necessary repairs and reinstalled 34 squares of new felt and composition roofing in two days, Emanuelson said.

Much of the work on the roof was done in July heat, he noted.

“For me personally, it was enjoyable to work with young people who have had their behavior molded by Air Force ethics,” Emanuelson said.

“They were respectful, responsive and eager to please,” he said. “The work that they accomplished will serve the Wildlife Center for the next 40 to 50 years and saved our organization several thousand dollars.”

Scott Russell and Solano Garbage provided a Dumpster to remove job debris.

“Solano Garbage has been very generous in responding to our requrests for help, and we appreciate their community support,” Liguori said.

She said volunteers and staff members who work at the center have noticed another benefit to the new roof: It’s cooler on hot days.

“A special kind of venting roof was installed for cooling at night,” Liguori said.

“Since we operate with only fans and window cooling, this is a big bonus for both the animals and the volunteers.”

“This has been a major contribution to our ability to carry on the work that we do at the Wildlife Center,” Emanuelson said.

In addition, Kevin and Sonia Murray have donated to the center’s decor, Liguori said.

“Kevin donated the beautiful carved wooden heads of a deer and antelope that grace the wall behind the welcome desk,” she said. “Sonia’s contribution of time and talent was to create gorgeous wildlife-themed window coverings for the many windows in the Education Wing and lobby.” The coverings illustrate many types of birds and animals that receive care at the center.

The wildlife center, 1171 Kellogg St., Suisun City, is a place where staff and volunteers care for injured and orphaned wild birds and animals until they are capable of returning to their natural habitat.

It also is home to some birds and mammals that no longer can live in the wild. Those animals — from Kaiu, a coyote that was partially blinded when he was hit by a car, to Griffin, a great horned owl, and Luna, a barn owl — are trained to be used in educational programs so people can learn about the type of wildlife that lives in Solano County.

In addition, the center conducts periodic classes in wildlife care so more volunteers can help tend to sick, injured and orphaned birds and animals.

Donations are accepted at the nonprofit organizaton at 1171 Kellog St., Suisun City, CA 94585, as are memberships, which are $15 for individuals, $25 for families, $50 for contributing and business memberships and $500 for lifetime memberships.

The center can use other donations, too, Liguori said. People can contribute paper towels, toilet paper, flannel blankets in good shape, laundry and Dawn liquid detergent, bleach, hoes, rakes and shovels, copier paper, heating pads, electric fans, pet carriers, a high-clearance lawnmower and a gas-powered weed eater.

For the animals, the center also accepts grapes and apples.

In addition, the center is collecting aluminum cans, printer cartridges and old cell phones.

The center’s winter hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily.

Those who find an animal that may need rescuing can visit the center’s website, www.suisunwildlife.org/, for guidance, and may call the center at 707-429-4295 (HAWK). The same number can be used to make appointments for group environmental education programs.