- Background and Overview
- Participant Organizations
- Volunteer Information
- For Industry
- Staff and Contact Information
OWCN PARTICIPANTS
Organizations wishing to find out more information about how to become an OWCN participant should contact Dr. Michael Ziccardi.
Scroll down for detailed participant information.
An extremely important component of the OWCN is the fully-trained cadre of participant staff and volunteers available statewide to respond rapidly and effectively to oil spills. During the initial formation of the OWCN, potential participating organizations were identified both by reputation and by interest expressed at public meetings. Information pertaining to staffing, experience, existing facilities, and availability for emergency situations was considered. Those organizations that were determined to be able to contribute significantly to the OWCN were invited to sign a Memorandum of Understanding between their organization and the OSPR, which recognized their participation in the OWCN and gave assurances to them that spill-related training and reimbursement for their spill response costs would be provided in exchange for willingness to respond to oil spills.
As of January 2006, 23 participant organizations are members of the OWCN and two additional participant applications are pending. Most of these organizations have been critical participants in oil spills throughout California. Through this pre-identification of interested and appropriate groups and the development of binding agreements, wildlife response efficiency in California has markedly improved, and difficulties often associated with emergency wildlife situations have decreased substantially.
Note: this list is organized geographically, starting in the northern part of the state and ending in San Diego.
North Coast Marine Mammal Center (Crescent City) – Joined the OWCN in 1995. The Northcoast Marine Mammal Center is a private Non-Profit Organization, dedicated to the Rescue and Rehabilitation of stranded, sick or injured Seals, Sea Lions, Dolphins, Porpoises and Whales along the Northern most Coast of California.
424 Howe Drive
Crescent City, CA 95531
(707) 465-6265
Humboldt State University (Arcata) – Joined the OWCN in 1995. Under normal conditions, the Marine Wildlife Care Center on the Humboldt State University campus is used as a teaching facility for Humboldt State students. However, during an oil spill the Center may be activated as a rescue facility. It has been activated twice to care for oiled birds, in 1997 and in 1999. When the facility has been activated in previous years, student and community volunteers have been key in providing rescue support, including collecting oiled birds from beaches, caring for birds at the facility and assisting with a multitude of services required to keep the Center running.
Department of Wildlife
Humboldt State University
Arcata, CA 95521-8299
(707) 826-3450
The Bird Rescue Center (Santa Rosa) – Joined the OWCN in 1996. For over 25 years, through the efforts of trained volunteers and supporting veterinarians, a healthy percentage of the 2500-3000 injured native birds that come to The Bird Rescue Center each year, are rehabilitated and released back into the wild. Critical to this success are the many dedicated volunteers who have agreed to participate in 16 hours of training and commit to a schedule of work-shifts at the hospital. As some volunteers gain experience they graduate to helping with field rescue, transportation, raptor handling, and soft-release programs. Volunteers also work on admissions, maintenance and other operations tasks. Whether it's helping hawks or hummingbirds, waterbirds or songbirds, there's a job waiting for everyone to do at the Center. And it is not just wild birds that benefit. Community residents are deeply appreciative of the Center's services and support for injured birds they have found. Outreach classes and educational presentations help inform the community about the natural history and environmental significance of wild birds. Special programs for youth 12-17 provide opportunities for students who want to make a meaningful contribution to the environment.
3430 Chanate Road
Santa Rosa, CA 95404
(707) 523-2473
Point Reyes Bird Observatory (PRBO) PRBO conservation Science (PRBO) (Petaluma) – Joined the OWCN in 2003. Founded in 1965 as Point Reyes Bird Observatory, PRBO partners with hundreds of governmental and non-governmental agencies as well as private interests to ensure that every dollar invested in conservation yields the most for biodiversity -- benefiting our environment, our economy and our communities. Birds are excellent indicators of ecosystem health and thus key to wise stewardship. PRBO Conservation Science's 125 staff and seasonal scientists apply bird ecology studies to conserve birds, other wildlife and their ecosystems.
3820 Cypress Drive #11
Petaluma, CA 94954
(707) 781-2555
Wildcare (San Rafael) – Joined the OWCN in 1995. WildCare is a unique organization located in Marin County, California, and is one of the few truly urban wildlife rehabilitation centers, located near downtown San Rafael—Marin’s largest city. WildCare’s mission is to inspire a vital connection among, people, wildlife and the natural world, and we actively pursue this mission through nature education, wildlife rehabilitation and community outreach. Through partnerships with schools, collaborations with other organizations, educational programs and activities, internships and volunteer opportunities we make a positive difference in our community.
76 Albert Park Lane
San Rafael, CA 94901
(415) 453-1000
The Marine Mammal Center (Sausalito) – Joined the OWCN in 1995. The Marine Mammal Center recognizes human interdependence with marine mammals and their importance as sentinels of the ocean environment, the health of which is essential for all life. It is our responsibility to use our awareness, compassion and intelligence to foster marine mammal survival and the conservation of their habitat. The Marine Mammal Center works toward this end: Through rescue and humane treatment of ill, injured, or orphaned marine mammals, to return healthy animals to the wild; Through scientific inquiry, to increase knowledge of marine mammals, their health and their environment and assure their long-term survival; Through education and communication, to increase appreciation of marine mammals, foster informed decision-making affecting them, and inspire action to protect the marine environment. Since 1975, over 10,000 animals, such as elephant seals, sea lions, sea otters, harbor seals, fur seals, dolphins, harbor porpoises and the like, have been rescued and treated at our hospital facility. Each year marine science education programs and events reach over 100,000 school children and members of the general public, helping to foster a sense of responsibility and connection to the marine environment. Our science program increasingly provides vital information on our sick and injured patients - what diseases they suffer from, how their immune systems work, and most important of all, how they are affected by changes in their environment.
Marin Headlands
Sausalito, CA 94965
(415) 289-7325 General Info.
Volunteer Info: (415) 979-4357
University of California, Davis (Davis) – Joined the OWCN in 1997.
Oiled Wildlife Care Network
Wildlife Health Center
University of California
TB 128, Old Davis Road
Davis, CA 95616
(530) 752-4167
San Francisco Bay Oiled Wildlife Care and Education Center (Fairfield) – Joined the OWCN in 1996. The International Bird Rescue Research Center (IBRRC) has been helping birds around the world since 1971. Its mission is to mitigate human impact on aquatic birds and other wildlife. This is achieved through rehabilitation, emergency response, education, research, planning and training.
4369 Cordelia Road
Fairfield, CA 94585
(707) 207-0380
Lindsay Wildlife Museum (Walnut Creek) – Joined the OWCN in 1995. Lindsay Wildlife Museum connects people with wildlife to inspire responsibility and respect for the world we share. The museum exhibits live, non-releasable native wildlife in Walnut Creek, California. Founded in 1955, the museum operates the oldest and one of the largest wildlife rehabilitation hospitals in the United States, treating more than 6,000 injured and orphaned wild animals each year.
1931 First Avenue
Walnut Creek, CA 94596
(925) 935-1978
Peninsula Humane Society (San Mateo) – Joined the OWCN in 1995. PHS/SPCA, a private non-profit organization guided by the humane ethic, builds healthy relationships between people and animals. Each year thousands of animals pass through our doors. We provide a warm bed, nutritious food, veterinary care and a gentle touch for the lost, stray, unwanted and injured domestic and wild animals in our community.
12 Airport Boulevard
San Mateo, CA 94401-1098
(650) 340-7022
University of California, Santa Cruz (Santa Cruz) – Joined the OWCN in 1998.
Institute of Marine Sciences
100 Shaffer Rd.
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
(831) 459-2883
Native Animal Rescue (Santa Cruz) – Joined the OWCN in 1995. NAR is a private, non-profit organization dedicated to the rehabilitation of injured wildlife. We also work to increase human understanding and respect for wildlife and their habitats. We work closely with veterinarians and wildlife management professionals to medically treat and rehabilitate injured, sick, orphaned and oiled wildlife.
Wildlife Rehabilitation Center
P.O. Box 1001
Santa Cruz, CA 95061
(831) 462-0726/General Info
Monterey Bay Aquarium Foundation (Monterey) – Joined the OWCN in 1997. The Monterey Bay Aquarium Foundation is a not-for-profit corporation founded in 1978 with an initial gift from David and Lucile Packard. The aquarium opened to the public in 1984 and in 2004 attracted over 1.9 million visitors. The aquarium's mission is to inspire conservation of the oceans. Its key programs include: Exhibits on marine life of Monterey Bay and beyond; Free education programs for 90,000 schoolchildren and educators a year; Conservation research initiatives on sea otters, tuna and other threatened species; Seafood Watch, a national sustainable seafood consumer awareness program; and Conducting and communicating scientific research that promotes conservation and informs ocean policy.
886 Cannery Row
Monterey, CA 93940-1085
(831) 648-4976
SPCA of Monterey County (Monterey) – Joined the OWCN in 1997. The SPCA of Monterey County is a nonprofit, donor-supported humane society that has been serving the animals and people of Monterey county since 1905. We shelter homeless, neglected and abused pets and livestock, and provide humane education and countless other services to the community. We are the local agency you call to investigate animal cruelty, rescue and rehabilitate injured wildlife, and aid domestic animals in distress.
1002 Highway 68
Monterey, CA 93924
(831) 373-2631 ext. 227
Pacific Wildlife Care (San Luis Obispo) – Joined the OWCN in 1996. Pacific Wildlife Care is a non-profit, all-volunteer organization on the central California coast. We comprise individuals trained to rehabilitate sick, injured and orphaned wildlife. We handle hundreds of animals yearly. Our success is solely dependent on memberships and donations. Pacific Wildlife Care is an organization of volunteers licensed by both the California Department of Fish & Game and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service to rehabilitate and return to the wild.
P.O. Box 3257
San Luis Obispo, CA 93403
University of California, Santa Barbara (Goleta) – Joined the OWCN in 1999.
Santa Barbara Wildlife Care Network (Santa Barbara) – Joined the OWCN in 1995. The Wildlife Care Network is a nonprofit, volunteer group that rescues and rehabilitates injured wild birds and small mammals in Santa Barbara County, California. Since incorporating in 1988, the group has helped over 3,000 native animals each year. Songbirds, seabirds, birds of prey, and mammals large and small are cared for throughout Santa Barbara county.
139 North Fairview Avenue
Goleta, CA 93117
(805) 966-9005
The California Wildlife Center (Malibu) – Membership in the OWCN is pending. California Wildlife Center (CWC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation and release of a wide range of native species: from raptors and songbirds, coyote and deer, to marine mammal emergency response for the Malibu coastline.
P.O. Box 2022
Malibu, CA 90265
(818) 222-2658
The Marine Mammal Center at Fort MacArthur (San Pedro) – Joined the OWCN in 1995. The Marine Mammal Care Center at Fort MacArthur is a hospital for ill, injured and orphaned marine mammals. Our primary work is the treatment and release of rescued California sea lions, northern elephant seals, harbor seals and northern fur seals. This work is authorized by the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS). The Care Center is involved in the education of students, school teachers and the general public in conjunction with the Center for Marine Studies. We also actively collaborate with other agencies, universities and museums to learn and aid the treatment of the patients in our care.
3601 South Gaffey Street
San Pedro, CA 90731
(310) 548-5677
Long Beach Aquarium of the Pacific (Long Beach) – Joined the OWCN in 2001. The Aquarium of the Pacific is one of the largest aquariums in the United States. Its more than 500 species fill 19 major habitats and 32 focus exhibits and take visitors on a journey throughout the Pacific Ocean's three regions: Southern California/Baja, the Tropical Pacific, and the Northern Pacific.
100 Aquarium Way
Long Beach, CA 90802
(562) 590-3100
Huntington Beach Wetlands Conservancy/Wetlands and Wildlife Care Center of Orange County (Huntington Beach) – Joined the OWCN in 1995. The mission of the Wetlands and Wildlife Care Center is to educate the public about man's impact on the environment, especially fragile coastal wetlands, and mitigate that impact through care and rehabilitation of native wildlife.
21900 Pacific Coast Highway
Huntington Beach, CA 92647
(714) 374-5587
Pacific Marine Mammal Center (formerly Friends of the Sea Lion)(Laguna Beach) – Joined the OWCN in 1995. Pacific Marine Mammal Center (PMMC) is a non-profit organization staffed by dedicated volunteers and funded by donations. Its mission is to: rescue, medically treat and rehabilitate marine mammals that are stranded along Orange County, California beaches due to injury or illness; release healthy animals back to their natural habitat; and increase public awareness of the marine environment through education and research.
20612 Laguna Canyon Road
Laguna Beach, CA 92651
(949) 494-3050
SeaWorld (San Diego) – Joined the OWCN in 1996.
500 SeaWorld Drive
San Diego, CA 92109-7904
(619) 226-3900 - Auto/24 hr
(619) 226-3800 - Live/24 hr Volunteer Information
Wildlife Assist (San Diego) – Joined the OWCN in 2003. WILDLIFE ASSIST responds to over 1,000 calls per year from you, the public, and from agencies such as the Harbor Police, military and lifeguards who report wild birds and mammals in trouble. We travel throughout San Diego County to rescue these ill, injured and orphaned wildlife and transport them to wildlife rehabilitation groups for care and release back into the wild. We offer free rescue and transport service, 365 days a year. We also advise you, the public, in the prevention of wildlife problems, as they pertain to both the animals and to you. By the terms of our State and Federal permits, we cannot relocate healthy wildlife or help marine animals.
4203 Genesee Avenue, #103
San Diego, CA 92117
(858) 278-2222
Project Wildlife (San Diego) – Joined the OWCN in 1995. Project Wildlife is a non-profit volunteer organization servicing all of San Diego County. Project Wildlife care centers are located throughout the county to provide emergency first aid, long term treatment, and veterinary care if needed. Experienced volunteers offer rehabilitative therapy and proper rearing of wildlife orphans. Each year Project Wildlife gives a second chance to over 11,000 wild creatures. All types of wild land and sea birds, as well as all wild land mammals, can be helped by Project Wildlife. We refer problems involving marine mammals, reptiles, pets, or domestic animals to the proper agency. Project Wildlife volunteers will answer questions about native wildlife and what to do if you have found an animal. Our phone lines are staffed daily. The Education Department speaks throughout the county to interested groups (schools, scouts, and campground talks, civic groups and street fairs) to heighten awareness of native wildlife and to promote a deeper understanding of human/animal interactions.
Facility address:
887 1/2 Custer St.
San Diego, CA 92110
Mailing address:
P.O. Box 80696
San Diego, CA 92138
Wildlife Hotline: (619) 225 9202