MARS Basic Rescue and Rehabilitation Training March 3, 2007

To be a MARS Rescue and Rehab volunteer and be called on to respond to strandings, you must first attend a basic training session. They are usually offered once a month and are free. Here you will learn the basics of beach rescue, rehabilitation and animal husbandry; how the US stranding network operates and what MARS' role is within the network; you will get a brief course in marine mammalogy and become familiar with your new role and responsibilities as a MARS volunteer!

The location at the Marjorie Stoneman Douglas Nature Center is breathtaking and we are honored to be able to once again host our trainings at such a lovely venue. Directly located on Biscayne Bay on Key Biscayne, volunteers will spend half the day in the classroom where MARS' Stranding Director Pamela Sweeney, Education Coordinator Donna Clements and Assistant Coordinator Nicole Knauer will lead a discussion using a powerpoint presentation. All attendees will receive a Basic Rescue and Rehabiliation manual. There is a 45 minute break for lunch (bring your own and sit outside by the ocean or prepare to head off-campus). The second half of the day will be spent outside where you will participate in a hands-on stretcher workshop. Volunteers will learn how to orient themselves relative to a beached dolphin or whale, become familiar with working with a stretcher and put to use techniques discussed during the first part of the training. The training is free to all attendees; however, we encourage you to purchase a rescue team t-shirt for a minimum donation of $10 as part being a rescue volunteer. You can also become a MARS member at the meeting! There are non-rescue team tees available (including membership tees) and license plate frames. All proceeds help to offset printing costs and future rescue/rehab costs.
*If you are under 18, please send us an email and let us know your circumstances (we are not permitted to allow voluteers under the age of 18 to have hands-on contact with stranded animals). We do welcome older students to attend and keep in touch with MARS as there are a lot of tasks underage volunteers can help us to accomplish (and earn community service hours!)

Email to RSVP: [email protected]

Official Website: http://www.marineanimalrescue.org/scripts/infoview.asp?documentid=86