Feb. 4, 2022
Randy Zellers Assistant Chief of Communications
SPRINGDALE — The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, will host a free one-day workshop for anyone interested in learning about wildlife rehabilitation and the rules concerning rehabilitating native animals in Arkansas at 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Feb. 26 at the J.B. and Johnelle Hunt Family Ozark Highlands Nature Center.
“We get a lot of interest from individuals throughout the year about becoming a wildlife rehabilitator, so we decided this workshop would be a good way to help people learn more about the process of becoming certified. It’s also a chance for our current rehabilitators to interact and brush up on new skills,” Dr. Jenn Ballard, state wildlife veterinarian for the AGFC, said. “Wildlife rehabilitators are independent volunteers who don’t receive any pay or compensation for their work, but we can offer them professional assistance and facilitate training to help them fulfill their passion.”
Certification from the AGFC is required to rehabilitate native mammals, reptiles or amphibians in the state. Other species, such as eagles, hawks, waterfowl and songbirds, require special training and certification at the federal level. This workshop will cover which species may be rehabilitated as well as the bigger picture of how wildlife rehabilitation can support conservation in Arkansas.
In addition to presentations , two speakers from the International Wildlife Rehabilitation Council will discuss basic principles of wildlife rehabilitation and a few topics of interest to rehabbers.
Registration is limited to the first 50 people who sign up through the AGFC’s event calendar at https://www.register-ed.com/events/view/177646. Lunch will be provided, thanks to the Arkansas Game and Fish Foundation who has teamed up to partner with the IWRC and AGFC to host the event.
“We’re really excited to host this workshop and help current and prospective rehabilitators learn more about methods and new techniques to care for these animals while protecting themselves, the public , and the larger populations of wildlife that call The Natural State home,” Ballard said.
Visit https://www.register-ed.com/events/view/177646 to register for this workshop. Additional resources about wildlife rehabilitation are available at www.agfc.com/rehab.
About the J.B. and Johnelle Hunt Family Ozark Highlands Nature Center: This 32,000-square foot facility on 61 acres is the newest place to learn about the natural world and outdoor recreation in Northwest Arkansas. It is the ninth nature center developed by the AGFC with the help of the Amendment 75 Conservation Sales Fund. Learn more about the Ozark Highlands Nature Center at www.agfc.com/ozarkhighlands or follow them on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/JBJHFOHNC.