Founded in 1982, the National Wildlife Rehabilitators Association (NWRA) serves as a nationwide organization that connects wildlife rehabilitators across the country with one another, helps to establish standards for the care of wild animals, and facilitates the sharing of wildlife science and information.
Each year, wildlife rehabilitators, educators, and professionals gather for the NWRA Annual Symposium. This year, several Wildlife Center staff members participated in 2022’s Symposium in Madison, WI during the first week of March. Amanda Nicholson, the Center’s Senior Vice President for Outreach and Education, has been involved with the NWRA Annual Symposium in varying capacities for years – as an attendee and participant, a seminar presenter, and as a volunteer program coordinator.
“It’s so valuable to be a part of these symposiums and represent the Center since these events are an annual gathering of 'our people' — our professional colleagues in the field. The ability to meet and catch up with colleagues and have all of those little water cooler (or coffee line) conversations allows us to trade information, spark ideas, and just support each other. I feel like 'networking' is something you always hear about at any sort of conference opportunity, but truly the connections with others help all of us in this field — as individuals, and as organizations,” Nicholson shares.
Other Center staff members at this year’s Annual Symposium include Maggie McCartney and Dr. Karra Pierce. McCartney, the Center’s Wildlife Care Academy Coordinator, represented the Center and the Wildlife Care Academy as an exhibitor, making connections with other wildlife professionals and organizations from across the United States. Wildlife Center Director of Veterinary Services Dr. Karra Pierce — recently elected to serve on the NWRA Board of Directors — presented several workshops on veterinary medicine.
As of June 2021, a total of 90 individuals have served on the NWRA Board of Directors since its founding in 1982. During her four-year term, Dr. Pierce will join the ranks of these highly-accomplished veterinary doctors, biologists, researchers, and other wildlife professionals in guiding the organization and its members into the future.
Excellence in both wildlife medicine and community engagement is a vital component of wildlife rehabilitation, and the Center is proud to share the successes of our staff members at the NWRA Annual Symposium this year.
For more information about the NWRA and the Annual Symposium, visit nwrawildlife.org.