Mentorship Program

Rehabilitation organizations do a tremendous job caring for hundred, if not thousands, of animals each year. However, staff and volunteers often have to juggle the time needed to care for these patients with figuring out new and novel ways to provide that care – often on shoestring budgets. Taking these new ideas and developing “research” projects can also be somewhat intimidating, with visions of laboratories and densely-worded scientific journals often accompanying the thought.

To promote OWCN Member Organization’s efforts to identify new and better ways of capturing and caring for oiled animals, we are proud to offer a Research Mentorship Program. The goals of this program are to:

• Foster innovative ideas by OWCN member organizations;
• Assist researchers to develop complete project descriptions;
• Help fund smaller studies to be conducted at Member Organization facilities; and
• Further advance knowledge of best achievable care of oiled wildlife.

The due date for Mentorship applications is July of each year, with projects to start in October (see this year’s application for more details).  Upon receiving a Mentorship award, the lead researcher works with an assigned OWCN Research Staff Mentor to help develop a complete study design and budget. The OWCN Mentor is available during the study for assistance, and will also help in writing a report for publication or presentation.

If you are a staff member or volunteer at an OWCN Member Organization and have a great idea on how to better capture and care for oiled wildlife, we want to hear from you!