Conference 2024
2024 Annual NYSWRC Wildlife Rehabilitation Conference
November 15th-17th
Radisson hotel, Corning NY
Registration IS NOW CLOSED. If you wish to sign up for Late Registration, Please email Info@nyswrc.org
Hotel Information:
Hotel rooms have been blocked at the Radisson Corning. Please use this link when booking your room.
MEALS must be booked separately through our ticket sales. Meal Orders have now been placed. IF YOU DID NOT GET TICKETS BUT WISH TO ATTEND A MEAL, PLEASE EMAIL INFO@NYSWRC.ORG TO INQUIRE IF THERE HAVE BEEN ANY MEAL CANCELLATIONS.
Our conference will feature expert wildlife professionals, veterinarians, and rehabilitators presenting exciting topics in wildlife rehabilitation, as well as an irreplaceable networking opportunity to meet others in your field. It is intended for licensed wildlife rehabilitators, veterinarians, nuisance wildlife control officers, veterinary technicians, and those who want to become more involved with wildlife. From beginners to expert rehabilitators, NYSWRC has something for everyone!
Continuing Education credits from the NY Dept. of Education are available. Certificates of Attendance will be issued one month following the conference.
GENERAL LECTURES are included with your registration fee. Walk in and out of the concurrent sessions that interest you the most. Up to 5 continuous tracts of lectures take place each day, plus a special all-day Sunday session is available just for veterinarians and veterinary technicians.
SPECIALTY SESSIONS and LABS require additional fees and/or pre-registration: Rabies Vector Species, Animal Basic Care, Fluid Therapy, Engaging Public Presentations, Tube-Feeding, Medicine, Math & Me, the Sunday Veterinarian/Vet Tech session and more.
Please be aware that some labs/workshops will include handling animal carcasses so that you may gain valuable hands-on experience while under the supervision of experts. As in all rehabilitation, there are inherent risks involved with handling wildlife, dead or alive. NYSWRC will provide nitrile gloves and surgical masks, or you may provide your own safety equipment during the course.
The conference offers rehabbers the opportunity to take the 8 hour RVS licensing course- the first step to obtaining your RVS license in NY State to rehabilitate raccoons, bats, and skunks. You can learn more here. This session runs all day on Friday.
We also offer our Sunday Veterinary session for veterinarians and vet techs-only.
SOCIAL OPPORTUNITIES include the Arrival Icebreaker, NYSWRC Annual Meeting and banquet, daily meals and coffee breaks . Take advantage of this time to network with your colleagues. Get ready to mingle, trade tips, and make new friends throughout the whole weekend!
SATURDAY EVENING AUCTION & RAFFLE: Support NYSWRC by donating to our famous auction and raffle! To donate, please contact Matt Zymanek at matt@hawkcreek.org. Everything is welcome: wildlife baskets, tee shirts, mugs, artwork, medical supplies, animal equipment, cages, etc.
VENDOR AREA: In between sessions, take some time to peruse our vendor area and do some early holiday shopping and stock up on rehab supplies! Vendor area will be open all day Friday and Saturday.
ConfeRENCE Lecture SCHEDULE
PLEASE NOTE: Conference Schedule is tentative until conference time. Changes, while unexpected, may be necessary.
2024 Keynote Speaker
Michelle D. Land, J.D. is an award-winning animal advocate and professor of environmental policy and law who has devoted her career to the welfare and protection of animals. Among her accomplishments as a clinical professor in the Department of Environmental Studies and Science at Pace University she has led students in successful initiatives to end the use of elephants in entertainment and the practice of wildlife killing contests in New York State. In recognition of such accomplishments Michelle received the 2014 Jefferson Award Bronze Medal for Public Service, and the 2021 Pace University Kenan Award for Teaching Excellence.
Michelle co-directs the MS in Environmental Science and Policy program and is the founding director of the Pace Animal Policy Project. She also co-teaches the Animal Advocacy Clinic which trains students in professional policymaking and advocacy skills for animal protection. Michelle earned her Juris Doctor and Environmental Law Certificate from the Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace, where she was Editor-in-Chief of the Environmental Law Review. Prior to her time at Pace, Michelle earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Wildlife Biology at the University of Guelph in Ontario, Canada, and worked in endangered species reintroduction, rehabilitation and propagation as a wildlife biologist at the World Bird Sanctuary in St. Louis.
Michelle serves as a Board member of the Veterinary Initiative for Endangered Wildlife (VIEW) organization. She has taught undergraduate and graduate courses in environmental policy at SUNY Purchase College, Clarkson University and New York University. Her passion is helping students realize their career aspirations of becoming effective environmental stewards.
Michelle D. Land, J.D.
Casey Beal Designs
NYSWRC is honored to feature the work of Casey Beal Disigns as our artist for this year's annual conference. Title: "Painted Turtle Hatchling"
Casey Beal is a Middleburgh, NY based textile and fine artist. Her work is greatly influenced by the continuous study of the flora and fauna of rural upstate New York: from the native varieties that inhabit the landscape to the agricultural livestock and crops that sustain its human population. Casey’s exploration of man’s ties to the environment attempts to transcend that of a casual observer, creating items that not only celebrate the beauty of nature, but encourage others to play an active role in its preservation. To live up to that same standard, she uses organic and sustainable textiles and digitally prints her original paintings in the US with eco-friendly water-based inks. In a continued effort to further understand the natural world, and better educate herself and the community on organic and sustainable gardening practices Casey has recently completed the Master Gardener Training program through Cornell Cooperative Extension. From hand painted hiking bags, to block-printed clothing and hand towels, to community murals, Casey is building a business that supports both the arts and the environment.