By: Cambria Wells, Education and Outreach Manager

At CWC we treasure our opportunity to undo some of the damage inflicted on our patients by human impact. The experience of working directly with wildlife and acting as a positive influence on the course of their future is a privilege limited to a few, and as our core mission that carries us forward. But there’s an open secret in our field; we wish our patients had never been forced to need our help to begin with. In our interactions with our community, we focus every day on educating others about how to keep wildlife safe. This year, we’re expanding our capacity to share what we know and love with the ten million people who reside in the areas we serve.  The new CWC education program is an all-ages outreach effort centered on what wildlife rehabilitation is, how it is practiced, and how to live alongside wildlife as a good neighbor. Our van, funded through generous donations from (now retired) Los Angeles County Supervisor Sheila Kuehl, will travel Southern California to offer free educational outreach opportunities. We come to you excited to share exhibits, crafts, activities and presentations based around human/wildlife conflict principles and California’s Next Generation Science Standards. Topics include:

• Wildlife 911: When and why animals need rescue
• Shapes and sizes: How animal bodies are adapted to their way of life
• Common conflicts: Meet your wild neighbors and learn how to live alongside them

… And more! Activities range from simple talks to multi-station workshops, and start at the pre-k level. We believe everyone has something to learn from wildlife; we learn something new every day!

We are now scheduling events for our 2024 pilot year and have special flexibility and capacity as the program grows. Schools, businesses, and events are encouraged to fill out a program request form at cawildlife.org/education