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Wildlife Hotline
614-793-WILD
(9453)          

SOARS Program

Seeds of Awareness, Respect & Stewardship
Young Environmental Interpreters Program

This earth is a stage.  Each person has his own part to play… Greatness doesn’t lie in our role, but in how well we play it.    -Yogananda

What Is SOARS?
SOARS is the student volunteer and mentoring component of the Ohio Wildlife Center’s outdoor education program, which includes student interns, volunteers under age 18 and students serving OWC through a community service work project.

SOARS Young Interpreters work closely with OWC staff and adult volunteers to learn and participate in conducting the daily activities at the outdoor nature education facility in Powell, Ohio.  Typical activities include animal care and enrichment for the resident education ambassadors, day camp, scout or other group programs, outreaches and grounds and facilities projects on trails, in gardens and other habitat monitoring and maintenance.

The goal of SOARS is to provide a hands-on, enriching experience with nature for young people with an interest in being proactive in the conservation of wildlife and habitats and to mentor awareness, a sense of appreciation and respect for wildlife as well as teach young people environmental interpretive skills so that they may, in turn, help others become aware and appreciative of our native wildlife.

What is an Environmental Interpreter?
The field of environmental education interpretive science is a professional, well-respected field of people from naturalists to tour guides to park rangers and wildlife agents who help the public learn more about a places and things such as wildlife and do so in a way that is relevant and inspiring to their audiences.  As a young interpreter at OWC, students learn to provide biologically sound information in fun, interactive ways to the people with whom they interact at the center.  This might include helping identify a bird, inspiring a child to feel the bumpy texture of the box turtle’s shell to giving directions to the nearest bathroom! 

Mentoring Young People
OWC is committed to teaching young people, empowering them to take an active role in the conservation of native wild animals and sharing what they have learned with their families and communities.

SOARS volunteers will learn speaking skills, animal handling and training skills and effective teaching skills.  They learn how to plan and organize, keep records, log data and numerous interpersonal skills.  SOARS volunteers will learn a great deal about themselves and what types of careers they might like to pursue (or not!) in animal and environmental fields.  Experienced staff and adult volunteers willingly share their knowledge and skills and mentor students during programs and projects.

How Do I Become a SOARS Volunteer?
If you are between the ages of 13 and 18, you need to attend the next Volunteer Information Meeting.  Students will then be directed from there regarding training and paperwork requirements.

What About Becoming a Wildlife Hospital Volunteer?
You must be 18 years of age to volunteer in the wildlife hospital on Billingsley Road in Columbus.*  Students ages 16-18 may apply for an internship at the clinic but this MUST be done through a school or college.
• Minimum age of 18 is a requirement for rehabilitation organizations to meet the state and federal regulations under the wildlife permits regarding the handling and treatment of native wild animals.

More Information
If you'd like more information that hasn't already been covered on this site, please contact:
Barbara Ray: 614-734-9453


 
The Red-tailed hawk is a medium-sized bird of prey found throughout North America. It is generally non-aggressive toward humans and other birds and is an opportunistic feeder with a diet mostly of small mammals. Raccoons are opportunistic eaters and can be avoided by keeping garbage and compost piles secure, and keeping pet food inside. Photo by Scott Schisler American bullfrogs are common in Ohio and recognized by their deep, throaty song. Photo by Dr. Don Burton Canada goslings are born in the spring and by fall are mature and ready to fly south with their flock. Photo by Katherine Clifton Coyotes were introduced to Ohio and have thrived in urban environments. This coyote, Hope, was unreleasable because she was hand-raised by humans before sent to OWC, and so lacks certain survival skills. Photo by Sue Simunich Mother deer tell their fawns to stay still and low (often curled up) all day while she is away. She will return at dusk and likely move them to a new spot. This is a safety precaution for the fawns, but many times fawns are mistaken to be orphans because of it. Photo by Scott Schisler Black rat snakes are native Ohio snakes. This snake resides at OWC because of injuries that would compromise its ability to survive in the wild. Photo by Sue Simunich. The Chukar is a game-bird in the pheasant family, originally from Asia but introduced to the United States. This Chukar is Tori, who resides at OWC. Photo by Sue Simuncich This male American Kestrel also resides at OWC and can be seen at the center’s outdoor wildlife display. Photo by Deb Keller You may see Eastern Gray squirrels like this in your backyard, consuming seeds, acorns, insects, eggs and other nuts. Photo by Sue Simunich The population of the Leopard frog is decreasing due to pollution and deforestation. They are often good indicators for environmental problems because of their sensitivity to chemical pollutants found both in the air and the water. Photo by Sue Simunich Most Snapping turtles eat plants, small mammals, fish and birds and are quick to take off your finger if you get too close. Photo by Sue Simunich Despite what it looks like, those big tuffs on the top of this Great-horned owl’s head are not ears. To predators, they may look like an easy way to grab the owl, but they are actually just feathers. Photo by Sue Simunich The American Bald Eagle is an endangered species. Photo by Katherine Clifton Male Cardinals are recognized by their bright red appearance. Photo by Scott Schisler The Eastern Fox snake resides in Ohio, Michigan and parts of Canada in flat, marshy areas. Fox snakes will eat primarily small rodents, but will also eat small birds, rabbits and other small animals. Photo by Sue Simunich The wings of the male Kestrel are slate-blue. Females are rusty to match the back feathers. Photo by Deb Keller Flying squirrels are one of the most common squirrels in Ohio, although they are rarely seen because they are nocturnal (meaning they are awake at night time). Photo by Deb Keller Red fox kits stay with their mother and siblings for several months and then go off on their own typically in July. Foxes are generally shy animals. Photo by Scott Schisler The Painted turtle is a reptile that is common in southern Canada, the US, and Mexico and is related to other water turtles like sliders and cooters. They live in ponds, marshes, and slow-moving rivers with muddy bottoms. Photo by Deb Keller Great horned owls hunt at night by waiting on a high perch to swoop down on prey. They eat small to medium-sized mammals like rats, voles, skunks and rabbits. Photo by Deb Keller Blanding’s turtles are a semi-aquatic species found mostly near the Great Lakes regions. Photo by Sue Simunich The Virginia Opossum is about the size of a house cat and “plays dead” as a defense mechanism from predators. Photo by Sue Simunich White-tailed deer have been forced to adapt to urban environments as their natural home is being destroyed by human development. Photo by Katherine Clifton Canada geese are dedicated parents and very social. When one goose is fatigued while flying, they will make sure it is not alone while it rests and will fly in shifts. Photo by Katherine Clifton Bobwhite quails are ground-dwelling birds found in North America, Central America and the Caribbean. Photo by Deb Keller Raccoon mothers will call out to their young should they fall from a tree or get lost. As long as she sees them or hears their cries, she will do whatever it takes to retrieve them. Photo by Owen DeWolfe In flight, Red-tailed hawks flap as little as possible to conserve energy. Their flight is slow and deliberate, with deep beats of their wings. Photo by David Harrison The male Red-winged Blackbird fiercely defends his territory during the breeding season. He may spend more than a quarter of all the daylight hours in territory defense. He vigorously keeps all other males out of the territory and defends the nests from predators. He will attack much larger animals, including horses and people. (birds.cornell.edu) Photo by Tripp Braden