From Field to Release:  Finding Your Way & Moving Forward

 FRIDAY, OCTOBER 8TH  (6:30 – 9:30 PM)
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 9TH (7:00 AM – 4:30 PM)

Causeway Bay Hotel and Convention Center, 6820 South Cedar Street,
Lansing, Michigan 48911
Reservations:  800-333-8123

Keynote Speaker
Dr. Erica Miller, Tri-State Bird Rescue & Research, Inc., Delaware

Guest Speaker
Dr. Susan Shibley, Ohio

 Join us in Lansing for a fun and information-packed two days.  Along with regular sessions, this year’s conference also includes:

Beginner’s Class
The Beginners Class is back for another all day Saturday session with an overview of  what wildlife rehabilitation is all about, what you need to do to get a permit in Michigan, Michigan laws, natural history, recordkeeping, diseases and hygiene along with demonstrations, photos, and a reference manual to help you get a proper start.

Workshops
NEW this year!
We are offering two different workshops led by Dr. Miller
Necropsy and Wound Management

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In conjunction with the conference, the MWRA is pleased to again be hosting the 
INTERNATIONAL WILDLIFE REHABILITATION COUNCIL
Basic Wildlife Rehabilitation Class
Thursday, October 7th and Friday, October 8th (8:30 AM to 5:30 PM each day)
at the Michigan Wildlife Disease Laboratory, Lansing
Register online or call 1-866-871-1869
 

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Wildlife rehabilitators, sub-permittees, volunteers, animal lovers, veterinarians and anyone interested in becoming a wildlife rehabilitator are encouraged to attend!

 CLICK HERE for the registration packet.

 NOTE:  Updates will be posted as information becomes available.

BACKGROUND

On Monday, July 27, 2010 a 30-inch pipeline belonging to U.S. affiliate Enbridge Energy Partners transporting crude oil from Griffith, Indiana to Sarnia, Ontario spilled 19,500 barrels of oil into Talmadge Creek, which flows into the Kalamazoo River.   A state of disaster was declared on Tuesday.

 The EPA estimates over 1 million gallons of crude oil spilled into Talmadge Creek; the site currently includes a 25-mile stretch of the Kalamazoo River, which is at higher than average levels due to heavy rain falls. The site area lies between Marshall and Battle Creek and includes marshlands, residential areas, farmland, and businesses.

RESPONSE

Wildlife cleanup efforts has been contracted to Focus Wildlife.  They are an emergency resource development organization that works with government, industry, and NGOs to address region-specific emergency wildlife issues.   Their offices are located in Anacortes, Washington and North Vancouver, British Columbia and they are charged with coordinating all wildlife rescue efforts here in Michigan.

 A temporary, emergency wildlife center was created on Monday; the first animals came in on Tuesday.  The center is intended to be operational 7 days a week.  Michigan’s Wildside Rehabilitation and Education Center in Eaton Rapids is one of the primary local organizations working with Focus Wildlife.

VOLUNTEERING

If you are in Calhoun County and wish to volunteer your services you may simply dial “211″ to register.  Outside Calhoun County you may call 269-565-4159 to register.  The “211 coordinator” will contact you, making note of your qualifications and then work with Focus Wildlife on a continuing basis to make volunteer assignments.

 When asked for your qualifications, be sure to state if you are a Michigan-licensed wildlife rehabilitator.

 You may also register online at the HandsOn Battle Creek website ( http://handsonbc.org ).

 It is strongly suggested that you avoid calling any single person directly about volunteering.  Registering by calling one of the numbers noted above is the best way to keep the process as streamlined and effective as possible. 

 To report oiled wildlife:  800-306-6837.  A crew will be dispatched to collect them (if possible); they are then brought to the wildlife center for triage.

From the course syllabus:

Course Description
This is an introductory course for beginning wildlife rehabilitators, or novice and experienced rehabilitators seeking formal education. Lecture topics include: introduction to wildlife rehabilitation, basic anatomy and physiology, calculating drug dosages, handling and physical restraint, thermoregulation, stress, basic shock cycle, initial care and physical examination, nutrition and associated diseases, standards for housing, zoonoses, euthanasia criteria and release criteria.

Lab topics include gavage (tube-feeding), physical restraint, intramuscular and subcutaneous injections, physical exams, limb immobilization and weighing. Lab procedures are performed on cadavers.

Delivery Method
Basic Wildlife Rehabilitation is a two-day, traditional classroom course with both lecture and lab. The class ends on the second day with a final exam. Basic Wildlife Rehabilitation is not available online.

Passing Requirements
In order to receive credit for the course, participants must attend both days, participate in the lab, complete a homework assignment and pass a final exam.

The course will be held at the fabulous Michigan Wildlife Disease Laboratory; attendees of this IWRC course will receive a discount to the MWRA conference and a discount on their hotel room if they stay at the Causeway Bay in Lansing.

To register for the IWRC Basic Wildlife Rehabilitation course (only), please click HERE or call them at 800-333-8123.  (Conference registration details will be posted on August 20, 2010.)

The Causeway Bay in Lansing left no doubt about just who was in town:

The pre-conference IWRA Basic Wildlife Rehabilitation course was held at the nearby Wildlife Disease Laboratory; is this not a great classroom?

The inimitable Robyn Grabowski was our instructor:

We had a full house for the Friday night roundtable session with the DNR.  Dennis Knapp and Dr. Dan O’Brien shared the latest happenings and fielded questions:

Saturday was busy, filled with both breakout and general sessions:

Oh, wait a minute.  That was down the hall.  Or was it?

Lots of laughs, for sure, but also lots of learning.  Nonda Surratt hosting a general session:

Carol Akerlof sharing her knowledge about raising songbirds:

Many thanks to both presenters and attendees!  This small taste can’t really convey how special you all made this conference.

You must be a current member of the MWRA to access the forums and you’ll be required to register on the forum site. Once the administrator reviews your registration, you’ll receive a activation email at the email address you provide during the registration process.

Ready?   Click here