ORNC Council Speaker Series – Wildlife Rehabilitation: What we do, why we do it and how you can help us succeed Kathleen Woods, founder and director, Phoenix Wildlife Center, Inc.Tuesday, March 19; 7 - 8:30 p.m. (in the Oregon Ridge Nature Center Auditorium) Wildlife rehabilitation has been around for many years – first as "kitchen-table" operations, then turning into a true science-based veterinary field. Over the past few years, wildlife rehabbers have been challenged with many emerging diseases, along with oil spills, lead poisoning, rodenticide poisoning and more due to human-wildlife conflicts. Fortunately, the field can now track many successes and can make people aware about ways in which rehabilitation organizations and the public can work together to help our local wildlife. Hear about the trends and day-to-day operations, challenges and successes of Phoenix Wildlife Center, Inc., a busy, volunteer-based wildlife rehabilitation facility serving central Maryland and beyond, dedicated to the rehabilitation and return to the wild of native birds, mammals, and reptiles and to the education of the public on wildlife issues. Learn what you and your neighbors can do to help prevent conditions that lead to wildlife requiring rehabilitation care and what to do when you think such care is needed. Kathleen Woods is the Founder and Director of Phoenix Wildlife Center, Inc. Her journey begins in the 1990s with the care and successful release of two baby robins that had fallen from their nest. Their names were Orville and Wilbur. That sparked an interest in wildlife. Meeting other like-minded individuals, she started a group and proceeded to get permits. Fast forward to today… following an internship at Patuxent Research Refuge raising endangered whooping crane chicks, volunteering at Tri-State Bird Rescue, many other experiences and much research, all leading to the formation of Phoenix Wildlife Center. Now in its 23rd year, the all-volunteer organization holds permits from the State of Maryland and the US Fish and Wildlife Service and treats 1,800 animals each year. Kathleen is also the current president of the Maryland Wildlife Rehabilitators Association. Adults $10 per person (FREE for ORNCC Members)
Registration for this program closes on Sunday, March 17th.
Members may only register guests who are covered by their membership. All other guests must register separately as a non-member. This program will be presented in-person at Oregon Ridge Nature Center. All fees paid are considered donations and are not refundable unless Oregon Ridge Nature Center cancels the program. A reminder email will be sent to all registered guests prior to the program.