Learn more about how to find a career – or volunteer job! – in the vastly varied field of wildlife, as we highlight a wide range of backgrounds and education paths that can lead people to work with wildlife. The range of career paths that lead to working with wildlife is about as varied as the actual wildlife all around us. This episode features several different people working with or for wildlife, highlighting a collection of stories from their daily lives. Learn more about how to find a career – or volunteer job! – in this field, including the range of backgrounds and education paths that can lead people to work with wildlife. Even with a diversity of people, organizations, and agencies, roles, and responsibilities, a number of these professionals work together for a common goal of helping protect wildlife and the environment.

Learn about the importance of public policy action on natural resource and conservation issues. This episode highlights some key pieces of conservation legislation. The American system of land and wildlife management is one built on, and for, public involvement. Learn about how these decisions are made and, most importantly, how to get involved.

Learn about where diseases come from. How are they spread? This episode examines a variety of emerging wildlife diseases, with an emphasis on the One Health concept. While some disease outbreaks may be “natural”, human behaviors and influences are adding additional pressure on wildlife and the landscape, and in the end, all of us – humans, wildlife, and the environment – are affected. Learn more about the field of emerging wildlife diseases and the continually evolving research on what those diseases tell us.  

 Learn about invasive plant and animal species, native species, and non-native species. Although world ecosystems are in danger from a whole host of varied and distinct threats, there are few issues more difficult to tackle or more complex to understand than invasive species control. These species arrive in an ecosystem in which they are not native and have not evolved, with no existing space within the habitat. Invasive species may outcompete, overtake, or cause general harm and disruption to their new ecosystems. Elimination and control are a necessary part of conservation, everywhere from Virginia to the world’s most remote island. For more information and classroom activities, please visit The Wildlife Center of Virginia and VPM UNTAMED websites.

Learn how wildlife survives the tougher winter months. With cold temperatures and fewer food resources, the winter season can be challenging for many wild animals. Some animals migrate to different areas, some hunker down for a long winter’s nap, and some simply continue their daily activities. Join Ed Clark, the WCV staff, and other conservation professionals as they discuss how a variety of wildlife survive the often-harsh conditions of winter. For more information and classroom activities, please visit The Wildlife Center of Virginia and VPM UNTAMED websites.