Virtual CWRA Fall 2023 Conference 

Saturday, October 14th from 1:00 pm - 4:30 pm

The Connecticut Wildlife Rehabilitators Association is going virtual for the Fall conference! Please join us for an afternoon of presentations by nationally recognized speakers.

This conference is funded by the CWRA and is free to all participants. Donations are apreciated!

 Presenters:

Dr. Renée Schott, Medical Director at the Wildlife Rehabilitation Center of Minnesota

Liv Scott, Songbird Nursery Director for the Wildlife Rehabilitation Center of Minnesota

Nathalie Karvonen, Founder and Director for the Toronto Wildlife Center

Additional Information about the speakers and presentations:

Speaker: Dr. Renée Schott

Presentation: Combatting Compassion Fatigue and Burnout

Every season, wildlife rehabilitators around the country experience different forms of burnout. From depression and anxiety, to a myriad of unhealthy coping mechanisms (drinking, overeating, etc), we do our best to survive to the end of baby season, seeing winter as the light at the end of the tunnel. But it seems like our winter rest is gone as admit numbers climb higher and higher each year. With no break in sight, it is even more important today to do our best to avoid getting burnt out. But how do we do this when the number of animals that need our help is infinite, and the resources available are finite? This interactive discussion will define topics such as burnout, compassion fatigue, and moral injury, and how each applies to this unique field. We will then dive into ways to build resiliency and how to survive if you find yourself caught in the downward spiral.

About Dr. Renée Schott  

Dr. Renée Schott is currently the Medical Director at the Wildlife Rehabilitation Center of Minnesota (WRCMN), the busiest wildlife rehabilitation hospital in the world. Dr. Schott teaches courses at the University of Minnesota-College of Veterinary Medicine, is a Course Instructor for the International Wildlife Rehabilitation Council, and is a former board member of National Wildlife Rehabilitators Association’s Board of Directors. Renée recently started a Transformational Coaching business to help those who care for animals battle burnout and compassion fatigue.

Speaker: Liv Scott

Presentation: Bringing Method to the Madness of Enrichment 

Enrichment is a powerful tool for providing first-rate care. It can provide natural experiences, avoid boredom, and teach young animals necessary skills. To be safe and effective, rehabilitators must consider the species, age, and individual circumstances of each patient. Implementation can be simplified using systems to break enrichment down into categories and provide ideas to ensure consistency and variety. Care must be taken to ensure that enrichment won’t cause physical harm, toxicity, or undue stress to the patient. With a thorough understanding of the principles of enrichment, rehabilitators should feel empowered to improve patient welfare!

About  Liv Scott: 

 Liv Scott is the Songbird Nursery Director for the Wildlife Rehabilitation Center of Minnesota. In the past three years in this role, Liv has guided teams of staff, interns, and volunteers in caring for over 1000 young orphaned/ill/injured baby birds from 50 or more altricial species each season. She graduated from Macalester College with a psychology degree.

Speaker: Nathalie Karvonen

Presentation: Fund-Raising Essentials for the Home-Based Rehabilitator

I had some great mentors when Toronto Wildlife Centre was starting up in 1992 and, with their help; we have built a strong fundraising program. What I often hear from others who are struggling to raise funds is that they are relying on special events, time-consuming grant writing or selling t-shirts to raise the money they need. I’ll share with you what we’ve learned about the most stable base of support you can build. There are many ways in which you can and should be raising funds from the community who you are in contact with every day, and it isn’t that hard! You will learn essential fundraising tips from this presentation.

About Dr. Nathalie Karvonen: 

Nathalie is a biologist who has worked in wildlife rehabilitation and on urban wildlife issues for over 30 years. Nathalie has served on the Boards of Directors of the Ontario Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education Network, International Wildlife Rehabilitation Council, and was appointed to a Minister’s Committee for the Ontario Minister of Natural Resources to advise on wildlife issues. In 1992, Nathalie started Toronto Wildlife Centre, and has served as its Executive Director ever since. TWC is the busiest wildlife centre in Canada, and includes a rehabilitation center, veterinary hospital, rescue service and wildlife hotline. The center has admitted 270 different species since its opening.