5 members of crew at Worldwide Chook Rescue attended Oilapalooza, the Oiled Wildlife Care Community’s (OWCN) biennial spill response convention, in Bakersfield, CA on October 23 and 24, collaborating in a precious alternative to each educate and be taught.
Our crew participated in two panels that happened on Day 1. Dr. Rebecca Duerr, Director of Analysis and Veterinary Science, mentioned protocols for managing Extremely Pathogenic Avian Influenza AKA fowl flu, sharing crucial insights to assist shield each birds and responders.
Moreover, Lisbeth Montenegro, Wildlife Rehabilitation Technician, moderated a panel targeted on Variety, Fairness, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) in wildlife rehabilitation. Jennifer Martines, Wildlife Rehabilitation Technician, contributed as a panelist, highlighting the significance of inclusive practices in our area. To be taught extra and browse the abstracts from the periods, click on right here.
“DEIA conversations are essential to creating an atmosphere the place folks really feel revered and accepted regardless of their completely different lived experiences.” Lisbeth stated. “It was nice to see the viewers ask questions that targeted on how one can make constructive adjustments.”
Oilapalooza is designed to supply OWCN community attendees with alternatives to satisfy and share experiences with different members, study new applied sciences, improve particular person wildlife response skillsets, and apply these expertise in the course of the Full Deployment Drill on Day 2.
Chook Rescue is among the founding members of OWCN, a corporation that was established in partnership with the California Division of Fish and Wildlife – Workplace of Spill Prevention and Response (OSPR). The community was fashioned as a response to the devastating 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill in Prince William Sound, Alaska and the 1990 American Dealer spill in Huntington Seashore, CA.