The wildlife disease association or WDA is an international organization focused on wildlife disease issues

WDA is all wildlife diseases, all conservation, all one health, What is WDA? Human Health WDA is all wildlife diseases, all conservation, all one health, all the time  The study of wildlife diseases gives insight into the ecology and evolution of parasites and pathogens in wild populations and has tremendous applications: For public health, and the prevention and control of emerging and zoonotic diseases in humans. For wildlife and environmental health, and the conservation of endangered species. For domestic animals and agricultural health, and the prevention and control of reportable and other significant diseases of domestic animals and livestock. Wildlife and Environmental Health Domestic Animal Health

This diverse group of people all join together as members of the WDA with a common mission to acquire, disseminate, and apply knowledge of the health and diseases of wild animals in relation to their biology, conservation, and interactions, with human and domestic animals. To achieve these goals the WDA has a variety of programs.

Who are Members? Biology, ecology, human health and veterinary students Wildlife managers and conservationsits Zoo and wildlife veterinarians Wildlife and One Health researchers Public health experts Agricultural health experts Natural resource agencies Zoos, libraries, non-profit organizations The WDA is comprised of a diverse group of members including who are involved in a wide variety of wildlife health issues ranging from ecosystem health to wildlife rehabilitation and everything in between. Members are engaged in research, clinical work, education, policy making, and wildlife biology and management.

Annual Conferences US and International Experts in the field Student-Mentor Mixers Hands-on Workshops Student Awards and Scholarships $ Student Presentation Competition $ Student Travel Grants $ An annual conference, where current information pertaining to wildlife disease and conservation is delivered to members in an interactive forum. There are also many student-focused activities and opportunities. The annual conference rotates countries every year. Check the WDA website for upcoming locations.

Journal of Wildlife Diseases and WDA Newsletter http://www.jwildlifedis.org/ Publications are another important program of the WDA. The Journal of wildlife diseases which includes reports of wildlife disease investigations, research papers, brief research notes, case and epizootic reports, book reviews and information concerning the WDA’s activities. and The Wildlife Disease Supplement, published quarterly with the Journal, keeps members informed of association business and items of contemporary interest in wildlife diseases. It includes a Student Section with news and pieces of interest for wildlife health students worldwide. Journal of Wildlife Diseases and WDA Newsletter

WDA Website WDA information and connections Student education and worldwide connections Nineteen years of past conference proceedings Members area benefits (image libraries, out of print wildlife texts, Wildlife Disease Classics, Wildlife Health/Disease collection, Reports from the Field) Wildlife Employment & Training Opportunities www.wildlifedisease.org The website has all the information you’d expect to find about the WDA, how the organization is run etc. as well as information such as training and development opportunities and resources for student education.

Student Involvement The WDA has a long history of strongly promoting and supporting students in their educational goals involving wildlife health issues. Reduced membership fees Student mixer at conference Student on council Student awards and scholarships Student mentoring by fellow members Student chapter and travel grants The WDA has a long history of strongly promoting and supporting students in their educational goals involving wildlife health issues and has reduced membership fees for students, a special student mixer at the conference, a student representative on council and multiple student awards. The WDA would like to get more students involved in the organization by promoting the formation of student chapters. Terry Amundsen Student Presentation Award, Saskatoon, CA, 2003

Student Chapters - Objectives Educate students interested in wildlife health and disease about The profession and career opportunities Job qualifications and education Externships, volunteer, and research opportunities Facilitate connections with other students worldwide Facilitate local chapter activities The goal of student chapters are to 1. Educate students interested in wildlife health and disease about The profession and career opportunities Job qualifications and education Externships, volunteer, and research opportunities

Student Chapters - Objectives Enhance the skills of students interested in wildlife health and disease through Lectures Workshops Conferences Field trips Connect students interested in wildlife health and disease to mentors in WDA through the faculty advisor and guest lecturers 2. Enhance the skills of students interested in wildlife health and disease through Lectures, Workshops, Conferences and Field trips 3. Connect students interested in wildlife health and disease to mentors in WDA through the faculty advisor and guest lecturers

What’s Involved? FACULTY ADVISOR – each chapter must have a faculty advisor who is a current member of WDA OFFICERS – officers are to be selected by members of the chapter MEMBERSHIP – student chapters are composed of undergraduate, graduate, professional students interested in the field of wildlife diseases. Membership in WDA is strongly encouraged Each chapter must have a faculty advisor who is a current member of the WDA. The chapter will select people to fill the positions of president and vice-president and if appropriate, secretary and treasurer. People filling these positions must be WDA members however membership in a student chapter of the WDA is not restricted to WDA members.

What Can You Get Out of It? Invite and meet renowned WDA scientists to lecture chapter members and have fun First EWDA Student Workshop, Veyrier-du-Lac, France, April 2005 Dez Delahay Ab Osterhaus Marco Giacometti Thijs Kuiken Ezio Ferroglio Marc Artois Conferences, lectures or workshops can be organized by WDA student chapters and offer chapter members the opportunity to interact with renowned professional researchers. Christian Gortazar

What Can You Get Out of It? Learn from the field Natural cave, Reserve of the Roc-de-Cher, Echarvines, France Seal Rehabilitation Center of Pieterburen, Zeehondencrèche, the Netherlands Field trips can be organized by WDA student chapters and offer chapter members the opportunity to learn directly from the field.

How to Get Started Visit the WDA website www.wildlifedisease.org - Students WDA Students on Facebook Questions? Email Catharina Vendl, Student Rep catharinavendl@gmail.com The WDA provides more information and the forms for getting started on their website under the education heading. You will also find there a list of the current WDA student chapters and their proposed activities. Also check out the WDA Students Facebook page If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact the WDA Student Representative!