Conference Details

Pre-conference Workshops

Pre-conference workshops are held on Friday, November 7, 2025 at an additional cost.

Intro to Wildlife Rehabilitation - full day

IWR covers wildlife rehabilitation regulations in Ohio, handling wildlife calls, neonatal care of orphaned wildlife, zoonotic diseases, stabilization and transportation of Category I species. This class, or an equivalent, is required by the Ohio Division of Wildlife to apply for a Category I Rehabilitation Permit. Registration fee includes manual, handouts and certificate of completion. Instructor: Becky Crow, ODNR

Crickets, Mealworms, and Roaches, Oh My! Insectivore Nutrition - half day

Reptiles, birds, and mammals can all engage in insectivory. Therefore, it's crucial to understand the best practices for raising and preparing these prey species to enhance their nutritional value. This workshop aims to examine the nutritional profiles of different feeder insects and discuss fundamental husbandry techniques for breeding insects for wildlife feeding, along with optimal preparation methods. Instructor: Dr. Mark Mitchell, Wildlife Hospital of Louisiana

Rabies Vector Species - full day

Rabies Vector Species (RVS) class encompasses current regulations, status of rabies in Ohio, special considerations in RVS rehabilitation, capture and restraint, exposure protocol, testing, species information and health considerations of raccoons, skunks, foxes and bats. This workshop, or equivalent, is required by Ohio Division of Wildlife to accept rabies vector species for rehabilitation. Instructor: Barbara Ray, OWRA

What do you see in there? Microscopy - half day

Microscopy is an important tool for wildlife rehabilitators, providing insight into different disease processes in our patients. Developing a confidence with this tool can help improve our ability to diagnose specific diseases (e.g., parasites) or characterize the health status (e.g., white blood cell count) of our patients. This workshop will provide attendees with the fundamental skills to use a microscope and learn how to read blood smears and fecal examinations. Instructor: Dr. Mark Mitchell, Wildlife Hospital of Louisiana

Practical Grant Writing Strategies- half day

Are you looking to expand your budget? Are rising costs interfering with your daily operations? Rehabbers seeking funding to support their missions can benefit from attending this workshop on prospecting strategies. This session will offer guidance on identifying foundations, corporations, and government grant programs including the Ohio Environmental Education Fund, along with effective approaches for engaging with different types of grantors and strengthening applications before submission. Instructor: Dan Sowry, Ohio EPA

Enrichment Engineering: Part 2! - half day

Rehabilitators demonstrate significant ingenuity by repurposing discarded materials to enhance housing and enrichment options for animals under their care. This workshop provides participants with practical experience in constructing a variety of items for enrichment, housing upgrades and feeding. Suitable for individuals at all skill levels—from beginners to experienced DIY enthusiasts, this session ensures that each attendee will complete at least one take-home project and receive comprehensive plans or instructions for all activities covered during the workshop

Instructors: Hardy Kern, Ohio Bird Conservancy & Gwen Hoogendoorn, OWRA Vice President

Conference Schedule

Saturday and Sunday sessions are included in the full conference registration. All Friday workshops and icebreaker add-ons require additional registration.