Session Abstracts
Taking the Photo - Lecture
Andy Foshee
How to use your digital camera to easily and quickly take photos of animals of all kinds. This one-hour lecture will cover the primary challenges in animal photography: lighting, backdrops, angle, and composition. Yes, you do need to worry about these things even if you aren't in the wild! In fact, some of them become even more important in an environment you know well! If you have a camera, bring it along for the second hour. If you don't have one, buddy up with someone!
Using Your Photos
Andy Foshee
You know your worth, but you still have to 'sell' yourself to supporters, volunteers, investors, civic groups, etc. This intense lecture will help set the stage for you to use your photography as effectively as possible. The lecture will be full of examples of what you need to consider when using your photographs with digital presentations. We will be touching on all types of digital presentations including formal (lecture-style), informal (booth-style), and stand-alone (i.e. kiosk or screensavers).
Every Animal Deserves a Toy.
Jean Chamberlain
This presentation will cover a wide variety of ideas on what we can do to enrich
the lives of the animals in our care. Not only our captive program animals but
also those in long term rehabilitation deserve a rich environment. Not only
our program birds but also our mammals deserve our continual effort to improve
their quality of life.
Fawn Rehabilitation (in NC)
Beth Knapp-Tyner & Kelly Douglass
Kelly covers a brief introduction and explanation of the process of applying for a fawn rehabilitation permit in North Carolina, facility requirements, and program rules and requirements. Beth covers white tailed deer natural history, understanding digestion, formulas, feeding, caging/pens, common problems & treatment, to release.
Expanding Educational Opportunities at Wildlife Shelters
Mic Farrington
One of the most challenging areas for rehabbers is public education. How do we find time to educate, inspire and create partnerships when we are busy feeding and cleaning up after animals? What do you do if you don’t have funds for a full time educator or the space of a large facility? How do you tackle the big ideas like camps, grant opportunities and partnerships? What programs are the most cost effective and what will generate the most revenue? What community resources are there to help? How do we approach other organizations and potential partners? We’ll discuss all of this, plus share some pitfalls and successes to help get you started.
Case Studies in the Wildlife Rehabilitators Code of Ethics
Elizabeth Hanrahan
This session is a short presentation on Ethics and Ethics in Wildlife Rehabilitation.
Participants will have an opportunity to discuss and evaluate various situations which pertain to the IWRC/NWRA Wildlife Rehabilitators Code of Ethics.
Seabirds
John Gerwin
"Who's that knocking at the shore?" North Carolina waters host a wide variety of what we commonly refer to as "seabirds", and many think of gulls, loons and pelicans. But beach-goers often retrieve some "odd" birds, the lesser-known and seldom seen - birds that range in size from swallow-sized storm-petrels to albatrosses. This presentation will go over some of these, and their natural histories/life cycles....and why waters off the NC coast are so attractive.
How to Prepare a Bird Study Skin
Becky Desjardins
Study skins are a great teaching tool, and they are not that difficult to prepare. Becky will be preparing one in this presentation, so
attendees can learn the technique.
Endangered Wildlife
Chris McGrath
This presentation provides an overview of state and Federal laws relating to endangered species and the mechanism for listing species under those laws. The Role of the NC Wildlife Resources Commission implementing those laws and regulations will be discussed. The presentation will highlight listed species; information about their status, trends, and habitats; conservation actions undertaken and examples of current efforts.
Becoming a 501(c)(3)
Jennifer Gordon
Learn the basics steps to getting your 501c3 non profit status. Class will include a discussion on the various forms and the order in which they should be submitted. What other requirements you need to have to get and maintain your 501c3 status and what the benefits of non profit status are.
You Are What You Eat - Trophic Feeding Categories of Songbirds
Elizabeth Hanrahan
Trophic feeding categories of songbirds impact on many decisions made by the wildlife rehabilitator. Trophic category, what it eats, and how it eats, influence decisions on food requirements, caging and cage furnishings, selections of natural foods in wildlife rehabilitation, natural history, and release considerations. The presentation will focus on the six trophic feeding categories of songbirds: exudativores, frugivores, granivores, nectarivores, insectivores, omnivores.
Diseases of Wild Birds
Lauren Powers, DVM
This lecture will overview some of the more common illnesses of wild birds, including shock, poisonings, and infectious diseases. For each disease, clinical signs and physical examination findings, diagnostic findings, treatment, and controll will be reviewed. Case examples will be presented to illustrate certain diseases.
Medicating Wild Birds
Lauren Powers, DVM
This lecture will review indications and procedures for administering medications to wild birds. Methods for preparing, storing, and compounding medications will be discussed. Commonly used routes of drug delivery will be reviewed, and the lecture will cover several of the more commonly used medications, including antibiotics, anthelminthics, anti-inflammatories, and analgesics.
Backyard Wildlife Habitats
Teresa Morr
Teresa's presentation will be on the Backyard Wildlife Habitat program, which discusses the 4 major components of a certified Backyard Wildlife Habitat, and options on how to create or maintain a wildlife-friendly area in your own back yard.
General Introduction to the Rehabilitation of Baby Mammals
Ann Rogers, Tricia Hoover
This session will cover the general principles for raising baby gray squirrels, opossums, and cottontails. The details for each species will be covered later in the individual sessions. This course is aimed at the beginning rehabber.
Introduction to the Rehabilitation of Eastern Gray Squirrels
Tricia Hoover, Ann Rogers and Martha Petty
There’s always a need for more squirrel rehabbers! Come and learn how to raise and release these amusing, bushy-tailed creatures.
Introduction to the Rehabilitation of Virginia Opossums
Tricia Hoover and Mimi Rieth
The Virginia Opossum is probably one of our most maligned animals, but once you learn to raise them, you will quickly fall in love with these wonderful prehistoric creatures.
Introduction to the Rehabilitation of Eastern Cottontails
Judy Makowski
Many rehabbers fear trying to raise these delicate creatures. Come and learn from someone who has raised and released hundreds of cottontails, from newborns to injured adults.
If you can’t see them, are they there? : Zoonoses, Husbandry & Sanitation
Beth Knapp-Tyner
Come and see Beth Knapp-Tyner’s alter-egos, Bunny Hugger-Mugger & Miss O. Phobic (inventor of the Detect-O-Germ), demonstrate the importance of hygiene & good husbandry. Learn why you need to know about zoonoses and how they can be spread. (Google the definition of “hugger-mugger” and mysophobic to get some insight into what your teachers might be like)
Fluid Therapy and Emaciation Protocols
Toni O'Neil
Fluid therapy is one of the most basic initial supportive treatments which can make the difference between life and death for wildlife patients. Program participants will learn to responsibly and effectively evaluate: administration of fluids, types of fluids, routs and volume of fluid administration and monitoring the effects of fluid therapy.
Mammal Physical Exam Workshop
Cheryl Hoggard, DVM
Avian Physical Exam Workshop
Elaine Corvidae
The workshop will teach the basics of avian anatomy and examination. Students will be provided with a dead specimen and an examination form for hands-on practice during the class.
Sub-Q Fluids Workshop
Alicia Cawlfield
Subcutaneous injections is the most common route for rehabilitators to give many medications and fluid therapy to the animals in their care. Here's your chance to learn the techniques, common locations, and gain some practice for subcutaneous injections of wild birds and mammals.
Taking the Photo - Hands-on Workshop
Andy Foshee
Using the principles reviewed in the first hour, we'll start from scratch and set up lighting, background, props, and the subject. Who knows, we may even have a surprise or two for attendees! Bring your camera or share with a friend, but be sure to hang on because this will be one fast-paced hour!
Digital Photos - From the Camera to the Screen
Andy Foshee
Okay, so you've taken the photo - now what? There are digital options from the very expensive to the very free and we'll cover the principles that apply regardless of your software. This hands-on computer lab will show you what you need to know to manipulate your image. During the hour we'll discuss the ramifications each choice has on how you can use the resulting image - you prepare differently if the target is a web page or a printed pamphlet! You'll even have a chance to use a free (yes FREE) software program you really shouldn't be without!
Avian Bandaging and Wound Management Workshop
Laurel Degernes, DVM
This practical lab will cover the basic principles and application of bandages and splints in birds. The lab will include a discussion of wound management, as well as application of different types of bandages for different injury locations and patient sizes.
Avian Necropsy Workshop
Betty O'Leary, Carolina Raptor Center
You will learn the procedure on performing an avian necropsy using raptor carcasses. Each person will have their own carcass to perform a necropsy on. Internal organs will be identified and descriptions of normal versus abnormal appearances of tissues will be discussed.
Mammal Necropsy Workshop
Arnaud Van Wettere, DVM
This lab starts by a brief presentation on how to carry out a necropsy and collect diagnostic samples, and will be followed by a wet lab.
Turtles
Jeff Ginsburg
Jeff believes rehabilitators need to understand the natural history of turtles to keep from making well meaning errors. They also need to know about the laws that protect turtles to keep from getting into trouble, and need to be informed about the advocacy that they can do to help these truly wonderful and amazing creatures. Jeff will also speak briefly on the enormous topic of the care of the injured turtle.
Additional abstracts will be listed as they are submitted.