The Wildlife Health Program conducts recurring regional workshops to strengthen staff preparedness for wildlife health challenges. These trainings bring together DEC personnel and partners from agencies such as the Department of Health, Department of Agriculture and Markets, and State Parks, to review important topics in wildlife health and proper field response procedures. Workshops typically include classroom updates on emerging wildlife diseases, current research projects, and safe handling practices, as well as hands-on exercises that simulate real-world scenarios. Participants practice critical skills, including the proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE), sample collection, and outbreak investigation.
For example, in 2024 we conducted a mock disease outbreak—complete with glowing “samples” to detect contamination— to allow staff to apply protocols in a realistic setting. These workshops ensure that staff across New York State remain current on best practices for wildlife health response, while fostering collaboration among regional teams and partner agencies.