THE OWCN APPRECIATES YOU!

Our Network of oiled wildlife responders would not exist without the amazing fleet of volunteers dedicating time and expertise to caring for wildlife throughout California. This week we have spotlighted 8 individuals who were nominated by our Management Team for their significant contributions to the Network in the last year. 

We hover at about 1600 responders year-round with expertise in many California species. In the last year, responders have dedicated over 10,000 hours to the OWCN. From trainings online and in person, to working group involvement and summits, to being activated for a response. We really put the WORK in Network this last year.  We are proud of all 45 Member Organizations and ever thankful for everyone who helps keep the Oiled Wildlife Care Network ready to respond any day. 

In no particular order, here are our highlighted responders and some advice from them! 

Francesca Batac has supported the OWCN through her role at the California Department of Fish & Wildlife's Office of Spill Prevention and Response (CDFW- OSPR) at the Marine Veterinary Wildlife Care and Research Center (MWVCRC), working primarily with southern sea otters and oil spill response. She began her career there in 2005 and only recently did she take a new position on the Health and Safety Team within OSPR. In her last year at MWVCRC Francesca continued to remain on the OWCN’s DEIA Working Group (until the very last second, she worked!). Francesca is a wealth of knowledge and an incredibly hard worker. She was nominated by our team because she has always offered a helping hand and a positive attitude when asked for anything at all. Although still within CDFW-OSPR Francesca is stepping back from the animal care side of response and stepping into the people side, ensuring everyone is well educated and safely able to enter an oil spill hot zone. When asked about her favorite events, Francesca couldn't wait to tell us about her Oilapalooza track record – although not a “perfect attendance” she has been to 8 conferences and LOVES networking and interacting with our vast network every other year. Francesca offered some advice in getting involved "Research what species you would want to work with and find the wildlife facility that specializes with that animal” she also goes on to mention our “40+ Member Organizations in the OWCN and take advantage of the offered trainings” Congrats on your new job!! We cannot wait to work with you in your new role

Rusty Rosenburg is another long-time responder and this past year we were able to really spend some more time working with Rusty in our Avian Botulism Response (like many others you will see here today) Rusty is currently celebrating his 15th year at The Marine Mammal Center and began his OWCN involvement back in 2011. When asked what his favorite response has been since joining the OWCN he mentioned the Tanzaite Spill in Sacramento. Rusty was nominated for his time and positive attidude he gave at the Avian Botulism Response in Tulare. He gave 294 hours of his time to the OWCN this last year and we are so thankful.  

Val Rodriguez is new to the OWCN, they are a member of Bird Ally X and onboarded with us for the Avian Botulism Response fall 2023. In such a short period of time Val quickly became an important piece to the success of this event. Outside of our Management Team onsite, Val dedicated the most time at this response, upwards of 2 months in Tulare!! They taught others, took on leadership roles and their calm demeanor kept everyone in good spirits. Since then Val has immersed themself in our training program. When we asked Val for some advice here is what they had to say “ I’d like to advise others wanting to get involved to take the steps needed to get started! It may seem daunting, but the knowledge and skills acquired are so worth it!” Thank you for all you do Val!! 

Sue Hawley is another long time volunteer with not only the OWCN but with her multiple Member Organizations! She has dedicated 15 years of her time at The Marine Mammal Center, many 

years at the Peninsula Humane Society and also beginning to build up her sea bird experience at the International Bird Rescue – you can’t argue that Sue isn't dedicated!! Over the years Sue has participated in spill response and OWCN trainings. This past year we were able to work with Sue in our Avian Botulism Response, she attended our Hazing and Deterrence Summit and continues to support us in all of our ongoing trainings. Sue was nominated for her kindness and dedication to the OWCN and we just don’t know what we’d do without her! We asked Sue to give some advice to future responders and here is what she says “Gratefully, the responses are few, the opportunities to learn are plentiful and branch out in so many directions” so say yes to getting involved and who knows. You may become the next leading expert in a species or area.  

Kevin Valenzuela is another new responder to the OWCN, he joined us in the Avian Botulism Response from San Diego Humane Society, Project Wildlife. Kevin is a Humane Field Technician in Human Law Enforcement. Kevin has worked incredibly hard to keep his skills growing, and even displayed great care in Tulare. Recently he attended our 24-Hour HAZWOPER Training at the Santa Barbara Zoo and he got to show off his vast wealth of knowledge. Although new to the OWCN we can tell Kevin is in it for the long haul. When asked what advice he would give to folks he said “It is important to be able to adapt quickly and collaboratively with a group of people. Everyone has such diverse backgrounds, this response team shows the compassion and impact that I can stand strongly inline with.” Thank you Kevin!

Sam Lewis is on the care staff at the Santa Barbara Wildlife Care Network and currently 

volunteers with Channel Islands Marine and Wildlife Institute. In this last year Sam has dedicated much of her life to wildlife. Additionally Sam has worked to stay involved with our DEIA working group by attending all three of our DEIA Sessions. This series really spent time highlighting biases and how to work with them in the workplace. I know in our world it can be hard to take on non-wildlife tasks but this is a crucial piece to a cohesive team and your participation did not go unnoticed. Additionally, Sam has worked to put together research proposals to work under the OWCN’s Mentored Research Program. In getting to know Sam I have learned that I need to state her LOVE of Virginia Opossums. Thankfully she gets to care for them in her workplace... and we get it.. Who doesn't love an opossum. 😀 Sam is recently 24 Hour HAZWOPER trained and so ready to jump in to be as helpful as she can. Some advice from Sam for future responders “ Take care of yourself, set boundaries and remember why you are doing this” she also goes on to say “Remember to check in with your coworkers, you aren't going to help animals if you or members of your team are unwell. People matter too, stick to your boundaries you set. They are for your and the animals benefit”  

Liz Montenegro joined the OWCN in 2018 when she began her career at the International Bird Rescue in San Pedro. Although The 2021 Pipeline 00547 was her first official response, Liz cares for individual oiled animals frequently alongside year-round patients of other ailments.  Pipeline 00547, in Huntington Beach, is where she caught her first oiled bird and got a glimpse of field operations. Fast forward to now, this past year we had her back in the field scanning the beaches on our recovery teams for various spills.  Additionally, Liz was crucial in our Avian Botulism Response last fall. Liz was nominated by our Management Team because she is kind, reliable and efficient. When we asked Liz for some advice to future responders, here is what she had to offer “Every event is going to be different, and every skill set is important. If you’re interested, get involved with a Member Organization and if you are called to a response stay open to learning from others, teaching others and adapting to the locations and limitations that you might not be used to working with.” 

Kim Peterson has VERY recently retired from Sea World San Diego and has put in a careers 

worth of time dedicated to saving species. When Kim was a child, and no rehab centers around, her grandmother created her very own center for injured animals and Kim has been hooked on wildlife ever since. Since 1999 Kim became an OWCN Responder and in 2003 a sea bird rescuer at San Diego SeaWorld. Over this last year we were able to work with Kim, not only as a Primary Contact for her Member Organization, but as a responder for the Avian Botulism Response in Tulare Lake. This event was unique and brought in folks from all skill levels and we were able to draw from Kim’s wealth of knowledge. When asked what advice Kim give to new wildlife responders Kim says “be open to learning, you will learn the most when you let go of your ego. The call to action will never be on your calendar” and lastly “be prepared to feel all the feelings”. We are SO thankful for Kim, congrats on your retirement and we can’t wait to work with you again soon.  

We've said it once, and we'll say it again, we can't do what we do without our responders. THANK YOU to not only Francesca, Kevin, Val, Kim, Liz, Sam, Sue, and Rusty but to our entire network for coming together year after year to help support oiled animals in need. 

-OWCN Management Team