An oiled wildlife response-training workshop will be held from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Friday, Sept. 25, at the McNeese State University Farm. This event is presented by Wildlife Rehab and Education Center in Houston, Texas, and sponsored by Citgo Lake Charles Manufacturing Complex and the Harold and Pearl Dripps Agricultural Sciences Department.

The Gulf Coast supports large concentrations of wintering waterfowl and is an area for an abundance of nesting waterfowl, shorebirds and water birds. An oil spill in this area could affect large numbers of protected migratory birds requiring many trained responders, according to Sharon Schmalz, executive director of WR&E.

“The purpose of the workshop is to certify and train personnel that would be interested in assisting the WR&E Oiled Wildlife Response Team during a spill or anyone who may participate in any role during an oiled wildlife response,” she said.

Participants encouraged to attend are all permitted wildlife rehabilitators and trainees, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service personnel, state wildlife officials, industry environmental personnel, as well as local veterinarian and veterinarian technicians.

The workshop will cover topics such as the effects of oil on wildlife, initial intake and exam of oiled wildlife, an introduction to OSHA training, wildlife rehabilitation role in incident command training and actual hands-on cleaning of oiled feathers.

There is no cost for the workshop, but space is limited. To register, contact Schmalz at 281-731-8826 or via email at SharonSchmalz@WRandE.org.