Sierra Wildlife Rescue is a volunteer-based non-profit organization. We take in injured and orphaned wildlife for care and release back into the wild. We also provide education programs to the public regarding El Dorado County wildlife.

Animal Care:

• Baby Bird Nursery, May 1 – Aug 15, Annually: Care and feeding of rescued baby birds at our center. 4 hour shifts, 7AM-7PM. A trained and experienced Shift Leader is in charge of the Nursery for each shift, and works with the volunteers. Volunteers choose their schedule. Requirements: Training class, age 18 and up. Youth aged 12-17 can volunteer when accompanied by an adult and also require training.
• Home Rehabbing, Year Around: SWR is licensed under the Department of Fish and Game to treat orphaned and injured wildlife for release back to the wild. Species specific training is provided by experienced SWR rehabbers, with ongoing mentorship and support. We work with songbirds, water birds, game birds, raptors, squirrels, baby skunks, rabbits and hares, opossums, raccoons, fawns, bobcats, coyotes and foxes. An Associate Rehabber position is also available, for the rehabber who can’t rehab in their own home. The Associate Rehabber will partner with an experienced home rehabber, and meets the same Home Rehabber requirements. Requirements: 18 and up. 4 hours of training, mentoring by experienced rehabber, minimal annual training requirement of 4 hours.
• Transport: SWR accepts calls daily from 7AM-7PM, and takes in wildlife found on the western slope of El Dorado County. A volunteer is often needed to take possession of the orphaned or injured wildlife and to transport it to the center or to an experienced in-home rehabber. Requirements: 18 and up. One training class in Transporting and safety regulations when dealing with wildlife. Protective gloves, carriers, nets, (some supplied by SWR), a valid driver’s license and proof of insurance.
• Caging: Help build flight and release cages for final testing before an animal is returned to the wild. Dependant on the bird species, some flight cages may be able to be located on the property of a member who is not a rehabber.

• Exhibits & Presentations: SWR gives many presentations and sets up many exhibits throughout the county each year. Assist in producing exhibits and putting on programs, an excellent way to begin to work with wildlife. Age 18 and up.

• Event Coordinator: Help plan, set up, and staff events. SWR is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization which is supported almost entirely by membership dues, private donations, and fundraising efforts.
• Grant Writer: Write grants to help secure funding from private and public foundations for capacity grants, capital equipment, or long-term needs.

• Publicity: Help prepare press releases. Work on our newsletters, The Paw Print and Squirrel's Nest. Assist in the development and maintenance of our website.
• Photographer/Videographer/Production: Document SWR events, activities, and education/training classes.

• Phone Volunteer: SWR covers the phones daily from 7AM to 7PM, 365 days per year. One volunteer is needed each day to assist the public in connecting with the appropriate SWR member who can answer their wildlife questions or connect them to a rehabber who can care for an orphaned or injured animal they have found.
• Center Volunteer: Prepare animal food and nest baskets, help with mailings, copying, computer input; help maintain the Center, run errands and pick up supplies. Age 18 and up.

These projects would be great for Girl and Boy Scouts, home schoolers, and community members who want to contribute but have limited blocks of time. We can assist with materials. Please call 530-621-2650 and you will be put in touch with the team members who can give you the specific details for the project you wish to undertake and support you along the way. Sierra Wildlife Rescue thanks you in advance for all your efforts to support us and our wildlife.

Sewing Projects:

• Fleece pouches for our opossums and flying squirrels
• Fleece hammocks and tunnels for our tree squirrels
• Elasticized net covers for our baby bird baskets
• Repair of baby bird baskets

• Fashion perches for birds
• Build wooden nest boxes and feeding/perching shelves for squirrels
• Build wooden housing for baby skunks
• Build various sizes of wire cages

• Raising mealworms for flying squirrels, baby skunks, and the Baby Bird Nursery
• Raising feeder mice for raptors and carnivorous mammals
• Raising feeder fish for waterbirds