Volunteer Resource Page

Volunteers are required to complete 10 hours of continuing education a year to meet the newest regulation updates set by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Volunteers are required to complete at least one hour of continuing education a month, from January through October each year and submit their completed hours for the current year no later than October 31st. You can review our full Continuing Education Policy for volunteers here.

Volunteers are encouraged to take their education into their own hands. While we have select classes that will be required for volunteers, there will be a fair amount of hours left for you to take subjects that interest you most! We will provide resources for you to complete your hours but you are also encouraged to find your own educational opportunities (see the Free Exploration Continuing Education section below).

Volunteers can download a copy of our Continuing Education Timesheet here. Physically copies are also available at the center.

We want our volunteers to explore their wild curiosity when fulfilling their continuing education hours. Volunteers are welcome to find their own learning resources as they pertain to Sonoma County Wildlife Rescue's mission. 

Free Exploration Education must fall under the following subjects:

• Human Wildlife Conflict
• Animal Behavior
• Animal Care
• Wildlife Education (i.e. teaching others about wildlife)

Any species specific training should be directly related to species we care for, or a similar species (i.e. when learning how a mountain lion navigates and protects their territory, it may be informative to also learn how other large wild cats like cheetahs or jaguars compare).

Free Exploration Education can be classes, talks or articles on the subjects listed above and need to be written or taught by other wildlife professionals and have strong educational value to volunteers. Podcasts or documentaries will not be considered for this category.

Volunteers can receive up to two hours of continuing education for reading a book if it meets the following requirements: 

• The book must be classified as non-fiction and be geared towards application in a classroom or professional setting (i.e. textbooks or field books).
• The primary themes should not include relationships with individual animals or their personal experiences, but rather focus on the field experience in working with species or observations made in professionally working with wildlife. The book must emphasize a scientific approach with a message based on the study and research of a species.
• Books must be pre-approved to receive credit for continuing education. 

If you have any concerns about whether your educational opportunity will count towards your continuing education hours, you should check in with the Volunteer Coordinator beforehand. You can email the Volunteer Coordinator directly at: support@scwildliferescue.org. 

All time spent on Free Exploration Education should be recorded on your timesheet and the Free Exploration Continuing Education Form. Hours recorded must be reasonable for the opportunity listed. 

All Free Exploration Education must be submitted via the Free Exploration Education form. The time spent completing the form can be counted towards your continuing education hours. Click here for the Free Exploration Continuing Education form (forms are also available in person at the center).