Oiled Wildlife Care Network

09/04/2026

The Oiled Wildlife Care Network 2027–2028 Research & Technology Development Program is now accepting pre-proposals for full research projects.

Projects addressing both marine and inland species are encouraged, with particular interest this year in work that advances the response and care of oil-affected inland wildlife. And this opportunity isn’t just for wildlife researchers! We welcome ideas across disciplines, from veterinary medicine and wildlife science to engineering, technology, design, and beyond to help us improve how we prepare for and respond to oil spills.

Full research projects can be funded for >$15,000/year for up to 3 years, with yearly re-application.

Pre-proposal submission deadline: September 20, 2026

More info: owcn.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/research

08/14/2026

We’re still accepting applications for a senior leadership position with the Oiled Wildlife Care Network, based at UC Davis!

As our Associate Director of Operations, you’ll help lead the people, resources and expertise behind California’s oiled wildlife preparedness and response efforts. From coordinating emergency operations and training responders to advancing the science and practice of oiled wildlife care, this role offers the opportunity to make an impact across California and beyond.

If you bring experience in wildlife care, field operations, emergency response, or related work, we’d love to hear from you.

Apply now and bring your expertise to the OWCN: owcn.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/careers

08/07/2026

Why should you apply to be our Associate Director of Operations?

You get to help save animals impacted by disasters. You get to train the next generation of wildlife first responders. You get to regularly travel through beautiful California to work with the world's leading experts in oiled wildlife care and response. Plus...great benefits!

Learn more about this opportunity at: owcn.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/careers

07/30/2026

Just two weeks after their release, five of the six banded Black-necked Stilts have already been resighted at Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve by photographer Lam-Son Vinh.

These are the same birds that were recovered as oiled chicks from the Los Angeles River area earlier this summer. After months of rehabilitation, it is incredibly rewarding to see them back in the wild, clean, healthy, and already back to wading in the wetlands and hunting for small fish and bugs.

This happy update reflects the collective effort of the Oiled Wildlife Care Network’s trained responders who worked together to give these birds a second chance.

📸 : Lam-Son Vinh

07/29/2026

OWCN is hiring! Help us advance wildlife emergency response as a member of our senior leadership team. The Associate Director of Operations focuses on:

➡️ Coordinating expertise and training for oiled wildlife rescue, care, and rehabilitation content
➡️ Overseeing emergency preparedness and response assets
➡️ Leading initial deployment during emergency responses
➡️ Advance oiled wildlife care and response through applied science

Apply online: owcn.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/careers

07/28/2026

The strength of the Oiled Wildlife Care Network comes from the expertise of our 40+ member organizations located across the state of California, whose dedication to wildlife extends far beyond just oil spill response. We're proud to highlight one recent example from OWCN member organization CALM:

When the famous bald eagle from Big Bear Lake (patient #26-519) needed emergency care, CALM Zoo's bald eagle ambassador, Spirit, provided a critical blood donation to help stabilize her while she received specialized treatment from Ojai Raptor Center.

It's a great example of how California's wildlife organizations work together to support animals in need. Whether caring for an individual patient like #26-519 or responding to large-scale wildlife emergencies like the recent LA River oil spill, our member organizations bring exceptional expertise and collaborative spirit to wildlife conservation.

07/23/2026

Last week, six black-necked stilt chicks were released at Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve after months of expert care and rehabilitation.

Their journey is a testament to the power of the Oiled Wildlife Care Network and our many responders who came together to help wildlife affected by oil in the LA River area. From field recovery and veterinary care to weeks of rehabilitation at the Los Angeles Oiled Bird Care and Education Center, every step required collaboration across our network. Special thanks to the team at International Bird Rescue, who provided daily care for these chicks until they were old enough and medically cleared for release.

Before release, each bird received a unique color band so our teams can monitor future resightings and learn how they fare in the wild. More stilt chicks are expected to be released in the coming weeks.

Every successful release is a reminder of what can be accomplished when dedicated people come together to help wildlife.

📸: Ariana Gastelum/International Bird Rescue

07/02/2026

This past April, 22 responders from eight OWCN Member Organizations gathered in Santa Cruz for the Oiled Wildlife Specialist (OWS) training, an advanced two-day course focused on pre-wash care and cleaning and conditioning for oil-affected wildlife. By the end of the course, all 22 participants had earned a new specialty qualification and gained a new cohort of peers they may one day work alongside during a real spill response.

That opportunity came sooner than anyone expected.

This past April, 22 responders from eight OWCN Member Organizations gathered in Santa Cruz for the Oiled Wildlife Specialist (OWS) training, an advanced two-day course focused on pre-wash care and cleaning and conditioning for oil-affected wildlife.

06/27/2026

Managing an oiled wildlife response not only takes trained responders, but it also requires the right equipment, in the right place, ready when it's needed. Join GOWRS Ltd on Tuesday, June 30 for their next webinar, this time on the topic "Managing Oiled Wildlife Equipment Stockpiles."

Panelists include:
Chris Battaglia (Focus Wildlife)
Gabriel Juchimiuk (Aiuká Consultoria em Soluções Ambientais)
Sascha Regmann (PRO Bird e.V.)
Daniela Barreras Biesot (Sea Alarm)

This expert panel will explore the logistics, planning, and best practices behind maintaining response equipment that can be rapidly deployed when wildlife emergencies occur.

Tuesday, June 30 at 0900 PDT | 1800 CEST
Free registration: tinyurl.com/GOWRS-webinar-equipment

Whether you're involved in wildlife emergency response, preparedness planning, or simply interested in how responders stay ready, this webinar offers valuable insights from experts working on the front lines of global oiled wildlife response. We hope you'll join us!

06/23/2026

Black-necked Stilt Chick Update:

Recovered as chicks with crude oil on their emerging feathers, these babies were brought to the OWCN’s Los Angeles Oiled Bird Care & Education Center in the last few weeks, where they have been receiving ongoing veterinary and rehabilitative care. Thanks to the expertise of our responders, these chicks are now clean, growing steadily, and continuing to make great progress. Once the chicks have matured and are fully rehabilitated, we will reintroduce them back into their restored natural environment.

Photos: 1. Black-necked Stilt chicks a couple weeks in care (credit: Gayle Uyehara/OWCN)
2. Black-necked Stilt chicks in care last week (credit: Ariana Gastelum/International Bird Rescue)