Providing Training to Wildlife Professionals
Training
In an effort to improve wildlife care through continuing education, we offer classes targeted for the professional as well as those serious about wildlife - those that are perhaps considering a career or volunteer position in wildlife. Our professional series are all-day intensive seminars in which you will learn more than you could have imagined. Our current professional training seminars consist of:
Animal Control Officer Wildlife Training
Specifically designed for Animal Control Officers, Police Officers and Community Service Officers, our ACO Wildlife Training Class is a full-day program that will prepare professionals for all aspects of dealing with wildlife.
Raptor Workshop
This 1-1/2 day class is designed as an introduction to birds of prey and their care targeted for Nature Center and wildlife staff and volunteers, along with those just serious about birds of prey. This is also a great class for anyone considering enrollment in our 10-week raptor internship.
Raptor Internship
This intensive 10-week (one day/week) class will teach you all aspects of birds of prey and their care, including handling and training. Successful completion of the Raptor Internship is a prerequisite for handling birds of prey at Flint Creek Wildlife. We can honestly say that we haven't had a single person complete this course that wasn't thrilled with the experience!
Veterinary Internship
CLOSED - NO LONGER ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR 2020
Flint Creek Wildlife offers full-time and part-time internship programs that provide interns with hands-on experience in many aspects of wildlife care and management.
Our professional classes are taught by Flint Creek Wildlife's Founder and Director, Dawn Keller.
Animal Control Officer Training
Please continue to check back for future dates.
Location: Future classes TBD
Cost: $125 including breakfast and all class materials
Download Brochure
Online Registration - CLOSED
This one-day training class is designed to assist Animal Control Officers, Community Service Officers, and Police Officers with issues surrounding the capture, transport, rehabilitation, and euthanasia criteria for various wildlife species. Classroom enrollment is limited so register early to guarantee availability.
Raptor Workshop
Raptor Workshop - CHECK BACK FOR DATES!
Date and Time - TBD
Location
Workshop will be held in Barrington. Workshop will not be walking distance from public transportation.
Cost
$225 including all class materials
Online registration - CLOSED
This 1-1/2 day Raptor Workshop provides an overview of various aspects of handling and maintaining captive raptors as well as the natural history of Illinois raptors.
Topics include:
- Natural History
- General Husbandry
- Caging Requirements
- Legal Requirements
- Avian Physiology
- Diet and Nutrition
- Coping (care of beak and nails)
- Equipment
- Handling on the Glove
Raptor Internship
Raptor Internship - CHECK BACK FOR DATES!
Date and Time - TBD
Location
Most classes will be held in Barrington. Please be aware that classes will not be walking distance from public transportation.
Cost
$600 including all class materials
Application - Required for anyone who is not a current Flint Creek Wildlife Rehabilitation volunteer or who has not taken our Raptor Workshop
Online registration - CLOSED
This 10-week Raptor Internship provides hands-on training in all aspects of caring for captive birds of prey Successful course completion will prepare attendees for careers in wildlife, for appropriately caring for and maintaining captive raptors and for raptor handling for educational programs, including volunteer positions with Flint Creek Wildlife. Interested parties must complete the application.
Class size is very limited. We will not charge your credit card or cash your check until you have been accepted into this class. We do not issue refunds once we accept you into class and process your payment because other applicants were not accepted in order to hold this class space open for you. Thank you for your understanding.
Minimum age 18 years old.
Veterinary Internships
CLOSED - NO LONGER ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR 2024
Flint Creek Wildlife Rehabilitation offers unpaid part-time and full-time internships. Flint Creek Wildlife's internship program is designed as a learning experience, providing interns with hands-on experience in many aspects of wildlife care and management. Flint Creek Wildlife will provide necessary training for completion of assigned duties.
In these positions, you will be exposed to all aspects of wildlife care and management,including rescue and recovery of injured
wildlife, x-rays, diagnostics, treatment protocols, triage, fracture stabilization, wound care, pain management, release protocol, euthanasia protocol, and husbandry.
Preference will be given to applicants that are currently enrolled or recent graduates in biological studies, pre-veterinary studies, and environmental studies; however, all applicants will be equally considered.
Reference Materials
Birds
Dunning, Joan. Secrets of the Nest: The Family Life of North American Birds. Houghton Mifflin Company.
Ehrlich, P., Dobkin, D. and Wheye, D. The Birder's Handbook: A Field Guide to the
Natural History of North American Birds. Simon & Schuster, Inc.
Gooders, John. The Survival World of Birds. North America: McGraw-Hill, Inc.
Hendrickson, John. Raptors: Birds of Prey. San Francisco: Chronicle Books.
Johnsgard, Paul A. Eagles, Hawks and Falcons of North America. Washington and London: Smithsonian Institution Press.
Johnsgard, Paul A. North American Owls: Biology and Natural History. Washington and London: Smithsonian Books.
Koebner, Linda. Zoo Book: The Evolution of Wildlife Conservation Centers. New York: Forge.
Newton, Ian. The Migration Ecology of Birds. Elsevier Ltd.
Scholz, Floyd. Birds of Prey. Pennsylvania: Stackpole Books.
Sibley, David Allen. The Sibley Guide to Birds. New York: Alfred A. Knopf.
Sibley, David Allen. The Sibley Guide to Bird Life and Behavior. New York: Alfred A. Knopf.
Reptiles
Conant, R. and Collins, J. Peterson Field Guides Reptiles and Amphibians: Eastern/Central North America. Houghton Mifflin Company.
Wildlife
Harrison, George H. Magnificent Moments: The World's Greatest Wildlife Photographs. Wisconsin: Willow Creek Press.
Ozoga, John J. White Tail Autumn. Wisconsin: Willow Creek Press.
Ozoga, John J. White Tail Spring. Wisconsin: Willow Creek Press.
Ozoga, John J. White Tail Summer. Wisconsin: Willow Creek Press.
Ozoga, John J. White Tail Winter. Wisconsin: Willow Creek Press.