In the second part of this conversation, Gail and this episode’s co-host, Julia Ponder, a clinical wildlife veterinarian with a background in public health, continue speaking with members of the Wild Alert team: Rachel Avilla, President, Co-Founder, and Executive Director of The Wild Neighbors Database Project; Terra Kelly, an epidemiologist and wildlife health specialist; and Pranav Pandit, a One Health epidemiologist. They discuss how Wild Alert functions at the state level, describe the individual user experience, and outline their future goals for the system.

Special thanks to our guests, Partners For Wildlife, and The Raptor Center at the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine.

Resources mentioned:

https://wildalert.org/

www.wildneighborsdp.org

https://www.usgs.gov/centers/nwhc/science/whispers

Interested in learning more about WRMD?

“Every single wildlife rehabilitator is important, big or small…” - Rachel Avilla

In this conversation, Gail and her first co-host, Julia Ponder, a clinical wildlife veterinarian with a background in public health, speak with members of the Wild Alert team: Rachel Avilla, President, Co-Founder, and Executive Director of The Wild Neighbors Database Project; Terra Kelly, an epidemiologist and wildlife health specialist; and Pranav Pandit, a One Health epidemiologist. They discuss what Wild Alert is, what it does, and the projects they are currently working on. In the next episode, they take a deeper dive into how the system is used.

Special thanks to our guests, Partners For Wildlife, and The Raptor Center at the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine.

Resources mentioned:

https://wildalert.org/

www.wildneighborsdp.org

In the second part of this conversation, we speak with Dianne Odegard and Lee Mackenzie, the founders of Austin Bat Refuge. We add to our previous episode by doing a deep dive on the Eastern Red Bat, specifically, orphan babies.

Special thanks to our guests, Partners For Wildlife, and The Raptor Center at the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine.

Resources mentioned:

Austin Bat Refuge

The Rehabilitation and Captive Care of Insectivorous Bats

In the first part of this two-parter, we speak with Dianne Odegard and Lee Mackenzie, the founders of Austin Bat Refuge. We hear recent rescue stories, and learn about radar projects, Free-tailed bats, and how Austin became known as “bat city”. 

Special thanks to our guests, Partners For Wildlife, and The Raptor Center at the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine.

Resources mentioned:

Austin Bat Refuge

In the second part of our conversation with Amanda Nicholson, Senior Vice President of the Wildlife Center of Virginia, and Dr. Karra Pierce, Director of Veterinary Services at the Wildlife Center of Virginia, we discuss the offerings (books, courses, and beyond) through the National Wildlife Rehabilitators Association (NWRA) and how you can get involved from becoming a member to joining a committee and even the board. 

NWRA’s 2026 Symposium takes place February 24–28 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. To learn more about the symposium, please see the links below. 

Special thanks to our guests, Partners For Wildlife, and The Raptor Center at the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine.

Resources mentioned:

NWRA's 2026 Symposium

NWRA website

We welcome Amanda Nicholson, Senior Vice President of the Wildlife Center of Virginia, and Dr. Karra Pierce, Director of Veterinary Services at the Wildlife Center of Virginia, to the podcast to chat about the National Wildlife Rehabilitators Association (NWRA). In the first of our two-part conversation, we discuss NWRA’s annual symposium, exploring what it takes to bring it to life and offering advice for first-time attendees. In part two, we dive into the other resources NWRA offers. 

NWRA’s 2026 Symposium takes place February 24–28 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. To learn more about the symposium, please see the links below. 

Special thanks to our guests, Partners For Wildlife, and The Raptor Center at the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine.

Resources mentioned:

NWRA's 2026 Symposium

NWRA website

In the second part of our conversation with Kai Williams, the Executive Director of the IWRC, we dive into the classes offered, how they are helping folks outside of North America with wildlife rehabilitation, and the organization’s future. Be sure to keep an eye out for the organization’s upcoming publication on nutrition! 

Special thanks to our guest, Partners For Wildlife, and The Raptor Center at the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine.

Resources mentioned:

IWRC courses

Become an IWRC member

About WRKE

WRKE new user registration form

We speak with Kai Williams, the Executive Director of the IWRC, about the organization’s mission, value statements, structure, and touch on the resources they provide. In part two, we discuss the classes offered and how the organization is helping folks outside of North America with wildlife rehabilitation. 

Special thanks to our guest, Partners For Wildlife, and The Raptor Center at the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine.

Resources mentioned:

IWRC

We continue our discussion with Minnesota wildlife rehabilitator Jessika Madison-Kennedy on Northern Cardinals. We go into rehabilitation techniques and pro tips from shelter, diet, and how to tell when they’re ready for release.

Special thanks to Partners For Wildlife and The Raptor Center at the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine.

Resources mentioned:

Hand‐Rearing Birds (Second Edition) Editor(s): Rebecca S. Duerr, Laurie J. Gage 

Passerine Fundamentals by Veronica Bowers

Songbird Diet Index by Marcy Rule

We’re kicking off Season 5 with Minnesota wildlife rehabilitator Jessika Madison-Kennedy to talk all things Northern Cardinals. We cover everything from their natural history to the rehabilitation techniques that help these iconic birds thrive.

Special thanks to Partners For Wildlife and The Raptor Center at the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine.

Resources mentioned:

Hand‐Rearing Birds (Second Edition) Edited by Rebecca S. Duerr, Laurie J. Gage 

Passerine Fundamentals Written by Veronica Bowers