Workshops/Conferences

Envirovet Summer Institute

The goal of the Envirovet program is to create a force of scientists with unique perspectives, knowledge, skills, and expertise required to implement an efficient approach to ecosystem repair that will enable synchronous gains in wildlife, domestic animal, public, and economic health. To meet this goal, the Envirovet Summer Institute  provides six weeks of intensive lectures, laboratory, and field experiences to veterinarians, veterinary students and wildlife biologists in the areas of terrestrial and aquatic wildlife and ecosystem health in developed and developing country contexts.

The program focuses on the trans-disciplinary, cooperative work required for effective wildlife and ecosystem health research, management, and long-term problem solving. Two and one-half weeks of these sessions are held at White Oak Conservation Center. Veterinarians and other scientists, primarily from North America, contribute expertise in ecology, wildlife biology, conservation and animal health. A range of political, economic and sociologic factors that influence ecosystem stewardship are addressed by the instructors. In addition to classroom and laboratory sessions at White Oak, students spend time on St. Catherine's Island (Midway, Georgia) applying various field techniques to the unique species and habitats on this barrier island.

Emerging Wildlife Conservation Leaders

Each year, future wildlife conservation leaders came together for the Emerging Wildlife Conservation Leaders (EWCL) conference at WOCC. Sponsored by the Defenders of Wildlife, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, and the Howard Gilman Foundation, this two-year program identifies, nurtures, mentors, and provides networking opportunities for young conservation professionals from NGO's, foundations, private, and public sectors.

During the conference, participants received extensive campaign skills training. Before leaving WOCC, the leaders use the skills they have learned to create a detailed 2-year wildlife conservation campaign work-plan, including all elements of the campaign from fundraising and implementation to evaluation.

After one year, the group will reconvene for more advanced campaign training, and the opportunity to evaluate the challenges and successes of the class issue campaign so far. At the end of the two-year period, the class will conduct a thorough evaluation of the campaign, as well as assess the strengths and weaknesses of the EWCL initiative. With an emphasis on teamwork, thorough objectives and evaluations, and sound science, EWCL gives these emerging leaders an opportunity to lead successful wildlife conservation initiatives.

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