Volunteer holds barn owl during a medical procedure
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Every autumn, Liberty Wildlife encourages our volunteers to spread their wings as well. In September, trainings will start for two advanced volunteer areas, Education and Medical Services. Orphan Care and Daily Care volunteers are encouraged to consider these areas of work. Training is 8-10 weeks of evening classes, with continued mentoring after that. Once training is finished, volunteers work one day a week in their new area, with education volunteers also signing up to go out on programs. Orphan Care volunteers who want to stay on when the baby bird season is over may consider one of these areas or move into a Daily Care shift that suits their schedule.
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Volunteer checking in bird's mouth
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Liberty Wildlife's Education team is well-known throughout the Valley for their knowledge of native wildlife and for their professionalism. The Education team conducts programs in schools and civic programs for children and adults. They bring non-releasable animals into these venues, and give presentations on the animals' natural histories and their place in the desert ecosystem. In training, new Education volunteers study and learn the material, polish their public speaking skills, and learn to handle some of the education animals. Classes will be held on Wednesday evenings from 6:30-8:30 pm and will start in September. Practice partnering with experienced bird handlers will continue after that.
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Daily Care staff readies young javelina for transfer
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Medical Services volunteers work in the intensive care area of the facility, caring for the sick and injured incoming animals. In training, new volunteers learn to safely handle the animals, to make wound assessments, to give fluids, force-feed, bandage and more. The ten-week training will be held on Monday evenings from 6:30 -8:30 pm and will also start in September. Once training is completed, new volunteers are placed on shifts with experienced volunteers while they continue to learn.
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Animal Care Coordinator evaluates young bald eagle.
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Sign-up applications for these two trainings will be posted at the facility later in the summer. We will also have a Rescue and Transport class in the fall for volunteers who would like to be on call for wildlife rescues in their home areas. These volunteers capture and transport injured or ill raptors to the facility. The two-hour training covers recognizing species, injuries, and the safe capture and transport of the animals.
If you have questions about any of these volunteer opportunities, please call the Liberty Wildlife hotline, 480-998-5550, and press option 2 to leave a message.
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Education volunteer with a barn owl
Volunteer wows audience with red tailed hawk
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Education volunteer and great horned owl ambassador at Kierland event
Medical Services volunteers evaluate great blue heron
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