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

2. 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

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. Journal of Wildlife Diseases and WDA Newsletter
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

7. 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
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.

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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.

12. 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

13. 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.

14. How to Get Started
Visit the WDA website - Students
WDA Students on Facebook
Questions?
Catharina Vendl, Student Rep
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!