• Conservation Medicine
• Animal Management, Husbandry & Health
• Restoration Ecology
• Conservation Science Training
• University Partners
• Veterinary Residency
• Wilds "Alumni"
• Internships Available
• Conservation Education
• International Work
• Professional Partnerships

Conservation Science Training

As the challenges of biodiversity conservation grow, it becomes increasingly important to train professionals with the most modern and effective conservation science techniques. As a leader in conservation technology and programming, the Wilds has continually proven to be an important venue for scientists, students, educators, managers, and veterinarians. The identification and development of learning opportunities lie at the core of nearly all programs at the Wilds, and staff contribute to this aspect of the mission by working collaboratively with academic institutions, wildlife professionals, and conservation organizations worldwide. Some examples of our programs and partnerships are included below.

Conservation Science Training Center

Since the inception of the Wilds, numerous colleges and universities have utilized the Wilds as a learning center, ecological field station, and wildlife observation site. As programs have expanded, the need for a centralized facility to support these activities has spurred an effort to construct an on-site Conservation Science Training Center. Situated in a woodland landscape, this unique facility incorporates green building technology and includes a large classroom and laboratory, offices, conference space, and housing. It is designed to maximize learning opportunities while offering access to the Wilds’ unique facilities, wildlife, ecosystems, and professional staff.

For more information about the Conservation Science Training Center, please contact Christa Rose Kugler (ckugler@thewilds.org, 740 638 5030 x2301).

University Affiliations

The Wilds works closely with many universities. Adjunct faculty appointments by Wilds’ staff members are held at Muskingum University, Ohio State University, Ohio University, and Michigan State University. The Wilds also collaborates extensively with other academic institutions including Hiram College, Miami University (Ohio), Dennison University, Marietta College, Akron University, Carolina State University, Virginia Tech, and Hocking College. These efforts include advising student research, serving as guest lecturers, demonstrating clinical, laboratorial, and field procedures, and collaborating on research projects.

Graduate and Postdoctoral Research

The Wilds provides excellent training and research opportunities for postdoctoral professionals and graduate students. Currently Wilds’ postdoctoral positions are held within the Conservation Medicine and Restoration Ecology Programs. Graduate students collaborate extensively with the Wilds, and have established projects that utilize the site for a wide range of thesis projects from native grassland establishment to Sichuan takin group behavior.

Professional Training Programs

The Wilds is extensively involved with leading and co-sponsoring professional training programs that range from wildlife epidemiology, wildlife reproduction, and animal behavior, to teacher workshops geared at science and outdoor curricula. The Wilds is able provide valuable insight into a wide range of subjects by supplementing its own expertise from a talented and experienced team of research and professional associates who are a formal extension of the Wilds’ staff, and participate regularly in research and training programs.

Some of these programs include the Veterinary Preceptorship Program which was developed for the purpose of training graduating veterinarians in Conservation Medicine, and is intended to develop professionals with the combination of skills that focus on individual animals, larger groups, and the interaction of human, environmental, and wildlife health. The Wilds also offers Working Wild Camp, a week-long immersive summer camp, which was developed to help give youth ages 14-19 hands-on experience for those wanting to learn more about being a wildlife veterinarian, naturalist, or animal management specialist. A variety of lab and field classes with veterinary, animal management, and conservation education staff provide many opportunities to learn about these careers.

International Training Programs

Perhaps the most valuable contribution that the Wilds makes toward training is the role that it plays in training international colleagues. The conservation community has increasingly recognized that viable solutions for conservation problems must come from “within”, and that “building local capacity” is critical to the long-term success of conservation efforts. The Wilds acts on this recognition.

An excellent example of this international training effort is the cooperative program between the Wilds and the government of Mongolia to develop that country’s first Wildlife Veterinary Unit. Begun in 1998, the program has already proven productive with the training of Zuindin Namshir, Mongolia’s first Wildlife Veterinarian. Following 10 months of training at the Wilds, supplemented with supervised activities in Mongolia, Namshir is now working to establish laboratory facilities and partnerships with scientists that will directly support wildlife conservation in Central Asia.

Wilds staff members also are playing an important role in programs being conducted in Chile, China, and Russia. Wilds staff members consult with natural resource organizations in Chile, have aided in the training of students and researchers working with wild Sichuan takin in China, and are participating in an ongoing program to provide training in anesthesia and clinical diagnostic techniques for the staff of a saiga antelope captive breeding center located in Kalymykia, Russia.