About this Event
Welcome to the 2026 Oregon Wildlife Rehabilitation Association Conference!
This is the conference Oregon Wildlife Rehabilitation Association (OWRA) holds for wildlife rehabilitation professionals, volunteers, and wildlife enthusiasts. For permitted wildlife rehabilitators in the state of Oregon, this conference awards continuing education credits.
Join us for two days of learning, networking, and fun! Connect with fellow wildlife professionals and volunteers, attend informative presentations and hands-on sessions, and explore the latest topics and practices in wildlife rehabilitation.
- DAY 1: Full Day of Presentations
- DAY 2: Half-Day Workshop (Wet Lab)
OWRA Members: Enjoy exclusive discounted registration rates!
Friendly reminder: OWRA membership fees are currently waived!
Not a member yet? You can join by completing the membership form on our website ↓
https://www.owrawildlife.com/
＊Space is limited, so don’t wait! SAVE YOUR SPOT TODAY!
＊Additional Eventbrite processing fee applies.
Saturday, Nov. 7
🕑: 08:30 AM - 09:00 AM
Check-in Time
Host: OWRA Board
🕑: 09:05 AM - 09:55 AM
ODFW Agency Updates
Host: Dr. Colin Gillin and Martyne Reesman, ODFW
🕑: 10:00 AM - 10:45 AM
Updates from USFWS
Host: Leslie Zacher, USFWS
Info: Hear about changes to federal regulations around migratory birds. Bring your questions!
🕑: 10:45 AM - 11:00 AM
Break
🕑: 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Up-cycling in Wildlife Rehabilitation
Host: Cheryl Moers, Gulf Coast Wildlife Rescue
Info: Suggestions of non-animal related items found at thrift stores, garage sales, on marketplace or donated by the public for use in wildlife rehabilitation. We will discuss factors to consider when purchasing or using these items.
🕑: 12:00 PM - 01:00 PM
Lunch Break
🕑: 01:00 PM - 01:45 PM
WNS Considerations in the Rehab Setting
Host: Emily Buck, ODFW
🕑: 01:50 PM - 02:50 PM
The Basics of Veterinary Care for Wild Reptile Species
Host: Lisa Harrenstien, DVM
🕑: 02:50 PM - 03:00 PM
Break
🕑: 03:00 PM - 04:00 PM
Out With The Old, In With The New
Host: Lynn Tompkins, Blue Mountain Wildlife
Info: How Blue Mountain Wildlife built a new wildlife rehabilitation center that will continue serving eastern Oregon into the future.
🕑: 04:00 PM - 05:00 PM
Confidently Preparing Their Exit Strategy
Host: Jesse Pline, Cascade Raptor Center
Info: This presentation will cover pre-release assessment criteria for avians. While raptors are the focus, these criteria can be adapted to a wide variety of species.
Sunday, Nov 8 (Workshop)
🕑: 08:30 AM - 09:00 AM
Check-in Time
🕑: 09:00 AM - 09:30 AM
Presentation (Sticky, Tangled, and Hooked)
Host: OWRA
Info: Glue traps, netting, and fish hooks and line often spell trouble for wild animals! In this lab, we'll discuss best practices for these tricky cases, using cadavers to practice removing patients from glue traps, disentangling them from fishing line and netting, and removing hooks safely. We'll also go over the basics of care after removal so you can give these patients the best chance at release.
🕑: 09:30 AM - 10:30 AM
Wet Lab 1 （Sticky Traps）
🕑: 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
Wet Lab 2 （Disentangling）
Event venue & nearby stays
Bird Alliance of Oregon (Formerly Portland Audubon), 5151 Northwest Cornell Road, Portland, United States
Concerts, fests, parties, meetups — all the happenings, one place.