Since 2003, Lena, Senior Fish & Wildlife Biologist, Ecological Services in the Ventura Fish and Wildlife Office in California, has been volunteering with the Ojai Raptor Center, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation and release of birds of prey and other wildlife, and to providing educational programs about wildlife and our shared environment.

“In the early years, I cleaned and built enclosures for the birds, and eventually became trained in hands-on rehabilitation. I assisted in rehabilitation and transport of birds for many years; this work is what inspired me to go back to school to earn a degree in science, all with the ultimate goal of working for the U.S Fish and Wildlife Service. I continue to volunteer for the Ojai Raptor Center as a handler and doing outreach with the public during their biannual open house.”