International Education Symposium 2008
November 5 - 9, 2008

Napa Valley, California, USA

Founded in Walnut Creek in 1955, Lindsay Wildlife Museum’s programs connect people with wildlife to inspire responsibility and respect for the world we share. The museum houses a hands-on discovery room for children, a pet education section with small domestic animals and changing natural history and art exhibits. Tens of thousands of children learn about the environment in their classrooms through the museum's traveling education programs and on-site tours.

The on-site wildlife rehabilitation hospital is one of the oldest and largest in the United States, treating nearly 6,000 injured or orphaned wild animals each year. Since the hospital opened in 1970, it has cared for almost 200,000 animals. Professional staff, including a full time on-site veterinarian and more than 300 volunteers gives expert care to wild animals, both in the hospital and in home care.

Lindsay Wildlife Museum was one of the founding members of IWRC, working with other rehabilitators to provide information and networking opportunities to the rehabilitation community.  IWRC is proud to welcome Lindsay Wildlife Museum as the 2008 Symposium Host.

The discipline of wildlife rehabilitation draws from many related fields.  To truly understand a wild animal and its requirements while in our care, we must understand its growth and development, behaviors and socialization, habitats and seasonal changes, diet and means of procuring food and common challenges in its environment.  As the field evolves, educating the public about co-existing with wildlife gets added to the list of priorities---helping to prevent wildlife from requiring rehabilitation in the first place.

While IWRC is the leading provider of training in the traditional aspects of wildlife rehabilitation, there are many specialists out there who have developed national and international reputations for expertise in one or more focused areas.  With the goal of celebrating collaboration, in addition to providing our attendees with the best-of-the-best in skills-based training, each year we partner with a select group of these organizations. 

Our 2008 Partners include:

The California Department of Fish & Game and the Council for Environmental Education team up to present Project WILD and Flying WILD---two of the most widely-used conservation and environmental education programs among educators of school-age children.

As a program of The Humane Society of the United States, Wild Neighbors Humane Wildlife Services humane removal techniques are endorsed by humane societies, animal control agencies and wildlife rehabilitators.  Back by popular demand, the Wild Neighbors: Humane Solutions to Conflicts with Wildlife workshop focuses on how to resolve human-wildlife conflicts without displacing or injuring wild animals.

International Bird Rescue Research Center is one of the world's leading authorities in oil spill response and aquatic bird care.  Both of the IBRRC workshops, Oiled Wildlife Care and Aquatic Bird Rehabilitation will be held at IBRRC’s Northern California facility in Cordelia.

With the goal of furthering animal enrichment efforts worldwide, The Shape of Enrichment has become known as the premier provider of enrichment education.  Attendees at the Holistic Enrichment workshop will learn the skills neccesary to create and maintain successful enrichment plans in their facilities.

Animal Care Equipment & Services is a unique company providing animal care professionals with both equipment and professional training.  Their Chemical Capture Training & Certification workshop includes a written examination and certificate of completion.

Registration for International Education Symposium 2008 will be open from August 19 - October 14. Registration is a la carte---you only register and pay for the classes and events you want to attend.

A few tips on getting registered:

Register early:   A 10% Early Bird Registration discount will be in effect for the first four weeks of registration; August 19 - September 16.  Registration fees will increase by 10% on September 17.

Register online:  Online registration is the most eco-friendly way to register for the symposium.  Although the transaction is processed by PayPal, you do not need a PayPal account to register online---all major credit cards are accepted.  Of course, registrations are also accepted via phone, fax and mail.

Attend with a group:  Group discounts are available to assist centers and organizations sending multiple staff and/or volunteer members.  In order to be eligible for a group discount, registration and payment for the entire group must be made at the same time and payment must come from the center or organization via company check.

Groups of three receive a 10% discount

Groups of four receive a 15% discount

Groups of five or more receive a 20% discount

Read the cancellation policy:  You may incur a fee if you cancel your registration.  Please review the registration and cancellation policies before registering.

TUESDAY

Registration

3:00pm - 6:30pm

Check in and collect your conference materials.

President's Welcome Reception

6:00pm - 7:30pm

Network and socialize, discuss symposium activities and enjoy exceptional wine from Folio Winemakers' Studio.

Tickets: Free, RSVP Required

WEDNESDAY

Basic Wildlife Rehabilitation

8:30am - 6:00pm

A two-day introductory course for beginning wildlife rehabilitators or novice and experienced rehabilitators seeking formal education. Lecture topics include introduction to wildlife rehabilitation, basic anatomy and physiology, calculating drug dosages, handling and physical restraint, thermoregulation, stress, basic shock cycle, initial care and physical examination, nutrition and associated diseases, standards for housing, zoonoses, euthanasia criteria and release criteria.  Lab topics include gavage, physical restraint, and intramuscular and subcutaneous injections.

Registration Fee: $159 ($125 for IWRC Members)

Chemical Capture Training & Certification

8:30am - 6:00pm

An excellent course for rehabilitators, humane workers and animal control officers interested in becoming skilled at chemical capture.  Lecture topics include the basics of chemical capture techniques; equipment options; field use; safety concerns; basic animal behavior; and calibration of drugs and dosage as well as the opportunity to pose questions and challenges specific to local organizations and communities.

Lecture is supplemented by a manual, instructional videotapes of real-life captures, and by field practice with equipment and targeting.

Registration Fee: $149 ($119 for IWRC Members)

Project WILD & Flying WILD

8:30am - 6:00pm

Developed by the Council for Environmental Education, Project WILD and Flying WILD are wildlife-based environmental education programs that foster responsible actions toward wildlife and related natural resources.  Normally held as two seperate workshops, at Symposium 2008 we will combine the curriculum of Project WILD and Flying WILD into one comprehensive, train-the-trainer workshop.

This is a lively and engaging professional workshop where attendees will be introduced to Project WILD and Flying WILD materials, activities and strategies. Through hands-on practice, attendees will gain the experience and confidence needed to work with their students and to integrate Project WILD & Flying WILD into their educational programs.

Workshop lecture and activities are supplemented by activity guides and "to go" kits for attendees to take home and use in their programs.

As a part of the California Department of Fish & Game and the Council for Environmental Education's commitment to environmental education, workshop leaders will also connect attendees to other national and statewide programs, along with resources that offer quality environmental education.

Registration Fee: $59 ($49 for IWRC Members)

Wildlife Film Festival

8:00pm - 9:30pm

Back by popular demand, IWRC will hold a special screening of winners from the Jackson Hole Wildlife Film Festival.  Enjoy popcorn and refreshments while watching the world's finest nature films. Net proceeds from ticket sales are donated to the Jackson Hole Wildlife Film Festival.

Tickets: $3

THURSDAY

Basic Wildlife Rehabilitation

8:30am - 6:00pm

The second and final day of the Basic Wildlife Rehabilitation course consists of a wet lab in the morning and a final exam in the afternoon.

Wild Neighbors: Humane Solutions to Conflicts with Wildlife

8:30am - 6:00pm

As humans encroach further and further into wildlife habitat, and as wild animals become more tolerant of their human neighbors, conflicts inevitably occur---conflicts that can be resolved effectively and humanely.  This stimulating and information-packed seminar on urban wildlife will provide both professional and lay audiences with up-to-date information on ways to resolve human-wildlife conflicts without displacing, injuring, or killing wild animals.

Attendees will learn how to “rescue” animals over the phone, network effectively, get the help you need, and set up municipal programs to ensure that wildlife dilemmas are properly handled. Topics include humane approaches to wildlife conflict resolution, diagnosing problems and giving advice over the phone, creating hotline services, wildlife removal---the modern approach, prevention of wildlife conflicts, and providing community services and resources.

This training focuses on cutting edge techniques and will be supplemented by handouts and resource guides, as well as information about further training and educational opportunities.

Registration Fee: $65 ($55 for IWRC Members)

Aquatic Bird Rehabilitation

8:30am - 12:30pm

This half-day workshop will provide attendees with realistic and basic aquatic bird care guidelines. Lecture topics include an overview of the anatomical differences of aquatic birds, intake procedures, fluid therapy, nutritional support, captive management, waterproofing protocols, specialized caging and common medical problems and current treatments for aquatic birds.  Lab topics include applying donuts, hock/foot wraps, understanding waterproofing techniques and gavage.

This workshop will take place off-site at the International Bird Rescue Research Center.  Transportation and lunch will be provided by IWRC.

Registration Fee: TBD

Evacuation Preparation

2:00pm - 6:00pm

Information about this workshop, presented by The HSUS, will be available shortly.

Registration Fee: $49 ($39 for IWRC Members)

Dine Around Town

6:30pm - 9:00pm

Join fellow symposium attendees for an evening of fine food and good company---a great opportunity to network and share stories.  Sign up on-site at the IWRC Registration Table for the restaurant and group of your choice.   Each diner pays their own bill and each group is limited to 10 diners to facilitate networking and intimate conversations.

FRIDAY

General Session & Panel

8:30am - 10:00am

The 2008 General Session is designed to encourage, motivate and challenge attendees as we discuss the current and future status of wildlife rehabilitation, welfare and conservation. 

This year's session will include a panel on the emerging practice of reuniting.  Panel experts include Anne Miller, author of, "Calls of the Wild: Using Recorded Calls and Other Tools to Reunite Juvenile and Adult Raptors" and IBRRC Executive Director, Jay Holcomb whose team has successfully reunited 100% of the 150 goslings admitted this year.  Additional experts in songbirds and mammals will join Anne & Jay as we explore the tools and techniques that make these efforts successful.

Registration Fee: Free, RSVP Required*

Morning Roundtables

10:30am - 12:30pm

Roundtable presentations provide a flexible format for extended discussion among a relatively small cohort of colleagues. They are an excellent venue for giving and receiving targeted feedback, engaging in in-depth discussions, and meeting colleagues with similar interests. 

Four roundtables will be held during the morning session: Rabbits & Hares, Feather Care, Offering Humane Nuisance Wildlife Control Services and Recordkeeping.

Registration Fee: Free, RSVP Required*

Afternoon Roundtables

2:00pm - 4:00pm

Four roundtables will be held during the afternoon session: Fawns, Raccoons, Avian Pain Management and Executive Directors.

Registration Fee: Free, RSVP Required*

Oiled Bird Care

10:30am - 4:00pm

This half-day workshop will provide attendees with the most current and “best achievable” methods of oiled bird care.  Lecture topics include the effects of oil on wildlife, fluid and nutritional support, captive management, basic care protocols and waterproofing.  Lab topics include basic handling and restraint techniques, intake procedures including physical examination, sample preparation and handling, standardized recordkeeping, banding or tagging, venipuncture techniques and on-site blood processing.  Instruction in methods of washing, rinsing and drying oiled birds as well as assessment of waterproofing in birds and fur coat quality in mammals will also be addressed.

This workshop will take place off-site at the International Bird Rescue Research Center.  Transportation and lunch will be provided by IWRC.

Registration Fee: TBD

Annual Dinner & Silent Auction

6:30pm - 11:00pm

Join your colleagues for a night of celebration at the Annual Dinner and Silent Auction!  Guest speaker Gary Bogue will regale us with tales of the way things were and inspire us with a reflection on how far we've come.  Gaia's Executive Chef will prepare an amazing feast featuring locally-grown food, produced with organic and environmentally sustainable practices.

The Silent Auction is always a blast---compete with your fellow attendees for the most unique and unusual items while supporting IWRC and International Education Symposium 2008.

Tickets: $39

*The General Session, Reuniting Panel and Rountables are free to Symposium attendees only.  Individuals wanting to attend only these events will be required to pay a one-day registration fee of $75.

SATURDAY

Holistic Enrichment

8:30am - 6:00pm

Environmental enrichment, as a concept, is now well recognized as an important consideration in the welfare status of any captive animal. Yet, many animal-care professionals remain unaware of the practical considerations important to creating and maintaining successful enrichment plans.

Topics covered include a discussion of the five categories of enrichment and because enrichment is specific to the individual, species, institution, and/or culture, the process of creating and implementing enrichment plans is also presented. This process includes: setting behavioral goals; brainstorming possible strategies; testing prototypes; and an introduction to safety considerations.  Using this process, attendees will design an enrichment plan for a variety of species in class.

Registration Fee: $75 ($59 for IWRC Members)

Advanced Feeding & Nutrition

8:30am - 6:00pm

The nutritional requirements of wildlife are stringent and particular for each species. This course addresses the nutritional requirements of mammals and birds with principles applicable to reptiles and amphibians. Topics include basic nutritional biochemistry, gastrointestinal physiology and anatomy, neonates, self-feeding process, importance of recognizing natural diets, determining nutritional requirements, feeding ill and emaciated animals, analyzing and formulating diets, minimizing captive stress through feeding and foraging enrichment.

Registration Fee: $109 ($89 for IWRC Members)

Fluid Therapy Wet Lab

8:30am - 12:30pm

This laboratory was developed as a follow-up to IWRC's online course, Fluid Therapy in Wildlife Rehabilitation.  Utilizing cadavers, attendees will learn how to administer oral and subcutaneous fluids to a variety of species including mammals, songbirds, aquatic birds, raptors, and reptiles. Instructors will demonstrate additional fluid therapy techniques that may be used in patients hospitalized in veterinary clinics such as intravenous and intraosseus fluid administration. 

Completion of Fluid Therapy for Wildlife Rehabilitators is required in order to participate in this lab.

Registration Fee: $65 ($45 for IWRC Members)

Euthanasia in Wildlife Rehabilitation

2:00pm - 6:00pm

The decision to euthanize is one of the most challenging tasks a wildlife rehabilitator faces.  If it is to be done appropriately and effectively, that is for the right reasons and without pain, a certain level of skill and knowledge is required.  Wildlife rehabilitators also face unusual ethical challenges due to the unique nature of their work.

Through a series of lectures and facilitated discussions, Euthanasia in Wildlife Rehabilitation provides attendees with information about the decision making process and ethical issues relating to euthanasia and wildlife, as well as the technical aspects of performing euthanasia.

Registration Fee: $65 ($45 for IWRC Members)

SUNDAY

Whirlwind Wildlife Center Tour

8:30 am - 4:00pm

Wrap-up your symposium experience with a behind-the-scenes tour of three of the San Francisco Bay Area's largest wildlife rehabilitation facilities:  International Bird Rescue & Research Center, WildCare and Lindsay Wildlife Museum.

Transportation and lunch will be provided by IWRC.

Tickets: TBD

Gaia Napa Valley Hotel & Spa is a mid-sized environmentally friendly hotel in American Canyon, the southern gateway to Napa Valley. The first hotel in the United States to receive an exclusive "gold" rating from the United States Green Building Council... How green is it? Inside your hotel room you'll find a copy of Al Gore's "An Inconvenient Truth" along side the Gideon Bible and Buddha's teachings.

Join your fellow symposium attendees for a unique, California eco–friendly

experience!

Hotel Location

Situated in the charming community of America Canyon, Gaia is surrounded by some of the finest Napa Valley restaurants, wineries and attractions. Relish phenomenally fine dining at Thomas Keller’s French Laundry in nearby Yountville. Drink in the fine wines of Domaine Carneros Winery a mere 8 miles away in Napa. Catch panoramic views of San Francisco Bay, Mt. Tamalpais and Mt. Diablo while hiking in Skyline Wilderness Park.

Gaia Napa Valley Hotel & Spa

3600 Broadway Street

American Canyon, CA 94503

(888) 798-3777 or (707) 674-2100

www.gaiahotelnapavalley.com

Hotel Reservations

Guests can make reservations by calling (888) 798-3777. Be sure to let them know you are with the IWRC Education Symposium to receive the discounted room rates. The IWRC rates include breakfast and are as follows:

About the rates: You must make hotel reservations by September 16, 2008 to receive the special rates. Standard rates will apply to reservations made after September 16, 2008. The first night’s Room and Tax must be paid at time of reservation. If the total number of room nights used is less than the number of room nights reserved, the rate will increase. For example; should a five-night reservation be reduced to three, guest will be responsible for the higher nightly rate of $99 per night for single occupancy or $109 for double occupancy.

About the breakfast: Rates include continental breakfast each morning. One breakfast coupon per night for single occupancy; 2 for double; 3 with rollaway.

About rollaway beds: Please notify the hotel if you will need a rollaway bed when making your reservation. The Hotel's access to rollaway beds and cribs is limited, and the Hotel's ability to provide beds and cribs is subject to availability. There is a $15 nightly charge for rollaway beds.

About parking: Onsite parking is available for free at the hotel.

Getting There

Oakland International Airport (OAK) is is the closest airport to the symposium venue; approximately 30 miles from the hotel.  Alternate airports include San Francisco International (SFO) and Sacramento Airport (SMF).

The easiest way to get from the Oakland Airport to Gaia is to take an airport shuttle.  The cost is pricey for only one person, about $80  each way.  You can save money and carbon emmisions by sharing a shuttle.  The cost for three people drops to $40 per person; five people drops the fee to $30 per person.  Use the IWRC Message Boards to connect with other attendees looking to share a shuttle (you will need to create a meesage board account first if you don't already have one).

Shuttle reservations should be made at least 24 hours in advance through Fairfield Airpoter at (877) 424-7767.

As a reminder, the US General Election will take place on November 4, 2008---what may turn out to be a travel day for many of our attendees.  Please don't let this prevent you from voting!  Contact your state election board to find out about state and local policies for voting by mail.