Think Wild seeking dedicated wildlife volunteers for busy spring, summer season

(Update: Adding video, interview)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Think Wild, Central Oregon’s wildlife hospital and conservation center, is seeking volunteers for a wide variety of opportunities during their upcoming busy season this spring and summer.

Community members with all experience levels and availability are encouraged to sign up to help care for injured and orphaned wildlife, plant beaver habitat, support summer camps, and much more. There are long-term, one-time, and group volunteering opportunities, and Think Wild offers orientations, training, and workshops for volunteers to develop skills and knowledge relevant to their positions. Volunteer opportunities include:

Wildlife Hospital

One way to get involved with Think Wild is through the wildlife hospital. Hospital volunteers work a weekly 4-hour shift, assisting staff with wildlife exams and procedures, diet preparation, enclosure setup and maintenance, and feeding and caring for patients. There are also positions available for rescue and transport volunteers, who respond to wildlife in need for capture and transport to the wildlife hospital on an as needed basis.

Youth Education

Think Wild is also seeking education volunteers, who can support classroom education programs, table at community events, assist with summer camps, and develop wildlife curriculum. These education programs provide hands-on experiences for youth and community members throughout Central Oregon.

Beaver Works Oregon

Think Wild’s Beaver Works Oregon program is gearing up for its busy season of riparian plantings to support beaver habitat throughout Central Oregon. Beaver Works volunteers spend time working outdoors on beautiful public and private waterfront work sites and learn about habitat restoration, beavers and their role as ecosystem engineers, and hydrology of local waterways.

Wildlife Services

Volunteers can also help with Think Wild’s humane wildlife services program. This role would include supporting exclusion installations, constructing and installing nest boxes and platforms, and mitigating conflicts with wildlife. The position would likely be a good fit for individuals that are eager to work outside, construct nest boxes, and prevent wildlife conflicts and extermination.

Youth Volunteering

Think Wild is also offering a new youth volunteer opportunity this spring for teen and youth volunteers ages 12-17. Volunteers in this program will gain a behind-the-scenes look into the career of wildlife rehabilitation and all that it takes to run a wildlife hospital, care for wildlife ambassadors, educate the public about wildlife coexistence, and more. 

To learn more and submit a volunteer application, visit the Think Wild website. You can check when the next volunteer orientation is by viewing our online volunteer calendar here. Think Wild looks forward to working with new volunteers from the Central Oregon community!

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About Think Wild

Think Wild is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization located in Bend, Oregon. Our mission is to inspire the High Desert community to care for and protect native wildlife through rescue and rehabilitation, outreach and education, and conservation. We provide veterinary treatment and care at the wildlife hospital, staffed by expert wildlife rehabilitation staff, animal husbandry volunteers, and our staff veterinarian. Wildlife conflicts or injuries can be reported to our Wildlife Hotline at (541) 241-8680, which is monitored seven days a week from 9 AM to 3 PM. Visit us online at thinkwildco.org, or on Instagram or Facebook @thinkwildco.