Accomplishments

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New York State

Wildlife
Rehabilitation
Council, Inc

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

What We've Done For Wildlife

Annual Seminar
Each year NYSWRC conducts a three-day educational seminar designed for wildlife rehabilitators and veterinarians interested in working with wildlife. These seminars feature experts in the field of wildlife rehabilitation and wildlife health care who conduct lectures and hands-on workshops. NYSWSRC has hosted 19 seminars, which featured over 1000 topics offered by over 500 speakers.

Quarterly Newsletter, Release
Through Release, NYSWRC keeps rehabilitators appraised of new techniques, medical treatments, diseases, and helpful information on diets, wound management, euthanasia and much more. Also featured is a section on legislative updates about proposed law changes of interest to wildlife rehabilitators.

Other Educational Events
NYSWRC hosted The National Wildlife Rehabilitators Association conference in 1990 and the International Wildlife Rehabilitation Council (IWRC) conference in 1996. We also co-sponsored a seminar with Trout Unlimited for those interested in fund-raising and obtaining their 501(c)(3) status. In addition, NYSWRC hosted our own two-day beginner seminar at Stony Kill Environmental Education Center and sponsored several IWRC basic wildlife rehabilitation courses.

Liaison
NYSWRC acts as a liaison with the NYS Departments of Environmental Conservation (DEC), Health, and Agriculture and Markets regarding licensing and disease concerns for rehabilitators. We also serve as a liaison with the US Fish & Wildlife Service with regard to Federal Licenses for the possession and care of migratory birds. We worked closely with the DEC to effect a change in the Environmental Conservation Law to formally recognize licensed Wildlife Rehabilitators. ECL 11-0515.3 authorizes the Department to issue a license for wildlife rehabilitation. This significant legal change served to promote the field of wildlife rehabilitation and formally recognize the efforts of wildlife rehabilitators.

Oil Spill Response Training
In conjunction with DEC, NYSWRC co-hosted ten regional Return-A-Gift to Wildlife Seminars. Tri-State Bird Rescue & Research Inc. of Delaware conducted these specialized training sessions to teach wildlife rehabilitators and staff to respond to oiled wildlife emergencies. NYSWRC presented three additional oil spill response workshops. Over 200 individuals underwent this highly unique training. These trained rehabilitators participated in numerous oil spills and successfully treated oiled waterfowl, mammals and turtles.

Wildlife Rehabilitation Record Keeping
NYSWRC provided recommendations to DEC on changes to the Wildlife Rehabilitation Logs and recommended the creation of the Wildlife Rehabilitation Log Tally to facilitate an improved dissemination of valuable information regarding numbers, species and reasons for incoming distressed wildlife. Log Tally information is summarized and distributed to DEC and NYSWRC members. Did you know that New York rehabilitators handle over 20,000 animals each year? Approximately 60% of these are avian and 35% mammal. Each year about 50% of those are successfully returned to the wild.

Survey
NYSWRC co-produced a two-year, three-part survey with the Human Resources Dimensions Unit at Cornell University to explore attitudes of wildlife rehabilitators, wildlife biologists and the public regarding the practice and profession of wildlife rehabilitation. We participated by reviewing the survey questions and presenting the results at our annual seminar.

Award
NYSWRC initiated an annual Veterinarian of the Year award in 1997 to recognize outstanding accomplishments of veterinarians who assist wildlife rehabilitators. Wildlife rehabilitators nominate the veterinarians, and the winning veterinarian is presented with a plaque at our annual seminar banquet.

Public Education
NYSWRC fosters a continuing relationship with the NYS Veterinary Medical Society and the NYS College of Veterinary Medicine at Cornell University. We co-produced the brochure entitled Distressed Wildlife and the Veterinarian. We worked with the DEC to produce the educational brochures Distressed Wildlife and the Public and If You Care, You'll Leave Them There. These brochures are distributed throughout the state.

We recently produced our first Public Service Announcement for local television to educate the public about wildlife rehabilitation.

NYSWRC members provide community education through a traveling exhibit, speaking engagements, participation at nature fairs, and presentations for scout and school groups.