National Wildlife Rehabilitators Association

SAVING MIAMI'S WILDLIFE TAKES A NATIONAL EFFORT

Wildlife knows no boundaries. Neither does our commitment to protecting it.

Every year, thousands of sick, injured, and orphaned wild animals depend on dedicated wildlife rehabilitators for a second chance at life. Here in Miami-Dade County, these professionals work tirelessly to rescue, treat, rehabilitate, and return native wildlife to the wild.

But behind every successful wildlife release is something equally important: access to expert training, reliable medical information, professional support, and a community of people committed to improving wildlife care.

That's where the National Wildlife Rehabilitators Association (NWRA) makes a difference.

For more than 45 years, NWRA has been at the forefront of advancing wildlife rehabilitation standards and connecting the professionals who care for our native wildlife. Although headquartered in Minnesota, NWRA serves members throughout Miami-Dade County and across the country, providing educational resources, professional development, and collaborative networks that help wildlife rehabilitators deliver the best possible care.

Investing in Miami-Dade's Wildlife Rehabilitators

NWRA's impact in Miami-Dade County is both meaningful and measurable.

Over the years, NWRA has awarded more than $300,000 in scholarships nationwide to help wildlife professionals attend its annual, weeklong Wildlife Rehabilitation Symposium. This gathering brings together more than 475 attendees for specialized training, hands-on learning, professional networking, and the exchange of emerging research and best practices.

Wildlife rehabilitators from Miami-Dade County participate in this important educational event each year, bringing valuable knowledge and new treatment techniques back to the animals and communities they serve.

One example of NWRA's local impact can be found at Pelican Harbor Seabird Station, one of Miami-Dade County's wildlife rehabilitation organizations.

Between 2014 and 2023, multiple wildlife rehabilitators from Pelican Harbor Seabird Station received NWRA scholarship support to help cover travel expenses to attend the annual Symposium.

Among them was Yaritza Acosta, Wildlife Rehabilitation Manager at Pelican Harbor Seabird Station, who received NWRA funding to attend multiple Symposiums over the years.

These scholarships help make professional development accessible to wildlife rehabilitators who might otherwise face financial barriers to attending a national conference. The knowledge, skills, and professional relationships gained through these experiences benefit not only the individual rehabilitators but also the wildlife hospitals, colleagues, and animals they serve.