Public Outreach
In addition to the response and research activities of the OWCN, a vital aspect of minimizing impacts of oil on wildlife is public outreach and education. Information transfer to the public, policy makers, wildlife professionals, and industry representatives within and outside of California is crucial. As a recognized world leader in oiled wildlife response, the OWCN has developed, contributed to, or is developing a number of different outreach opportunities to further assist in this arena.
Materials for teachers and students
- Facts about oiled wildlife
- Steps in oiled wildlife response and rehabilitation
- Poster: steps in oiled wildlife response
Development of Standards for Oiled Wildlife Care
The OWCN has played a vital role in the development of national oiled bird care standards through contributions at working group meetings sponsored by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. The OWCN was also recently contracted by NOAA-Fisheries to develop guidelines for oiled marine mammal response that can be used nationwide for oil spill response. Additionally, the OWCN is assisting in the development of the International Alliance of Oiled Wildlife Responders and, as such, has been heavily involved with the development of international standards for oiled animal care. All of these planning processes have relied heavily on the OWCN-developed oiled bird and oiled mammal protocols for animal care standards and facility development.
OWCN Education Program
The OWCN is also educating the general public on marine conservation issues and the effects of oil on wildlife and ecosystems. At the Los Angeles and San Francisco Bay bird facilities, the OWCN, in conjunction with International Bird Rescue Research Center (IBRRC), is developing educational outreach programs for grade-school children which include the use of video imagery from pool and examination areas; question and answer opportunities from children to rehabilitators performing general husbandry tasks; and informational kiosks detailing many aspects of marine wildlife and ecosystem health. Currently, opportunities are being explored at each of these facilities to site remote cameras on bird colonies that can be controlled, viewed and operated remotely by children via the internet. Opportunities are also being developed for collegiate and post-graduate students at the San Francisco Bay facility, including, but not limited to, veterinary students at UC Davis having the opportunity to complete an externship focusing on wildlife medicine.
Media/Public Relations
In order to provide the most comprehensive information available to interested media, both prior to and during spills, several different information sources and documents have been developed by the OWCN. These include: a comprehensive brochure giving an overview of OWCN activities; “talking points” on the general and specific effects of oil on affected wildlife, the steps in a successful oiled wildlife response, and pre-prepared background footage available for interested video media. In addition, the OWCN has attempted to provide ready information on the OWCN and oiled wildlife care to any interested individuals or organizations by the publishing of a regular newsletter and the development and maintenance of a comprehensive website (which includes electronic copies of all available materials).
Training Opportunities
OWCN representatives have been requested to participate in numerous training opportunities for other agencies and organizations. These include: State and Federal resource agency trainings, petroleum industry educational seminars, lectures dealing with emergency response activities, and overview presentations to professional organizations and associations. Additionally, the OWCN has provided international training opportunities for wildlife veterinarians and rehabilitators involved in oil spill response, such as the organization and teaching of a one-week course for Japanese veterinarians at OWCN facilities in California.