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16 hours of active learning from experienced experts
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Hands-on safety training with live venomous reptiles
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100% non-profit: Every registration supports threatened wildlife
Our Venomous Handling Workshops provide comprehensive, science-based training for wildlife professionals, veterinarians, educators, researchers, first responders, and responsible reptile keepers. Whether you're seeking a professional venomous snake handling certification or simply want to improve your knowledge and safety, our courses teach the skills, judgment, and best practices needed to work safely and responsibly around venomous reptiles.
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Training is led by PhD-level wildlife biologists and college science educators who combine years of field experience with proven teaching methods. Our active-learning curriculum emphasizes safe handling techniques, venom biology, animal behavior, legal and ethical considerations, emergency preparedness, and risk management.
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The Essentials course is designed to be an all-in-one comprehensive course covering every topic anyone working with venomous reptiles might need to know. Most folks will never need more than what we cover here.​​​​​​​​​​​​​
​Our Advanced course is for those who want more time with venomous species and a chance to learn and demonstrate proficiency in sampling procedures, both in the lab and the field. This course includes a full-day field intensive where participants earn actual experience hours working with a federally protected rattlesnake species in its native habitat - vital for anyone wishing to apply for federal permits during their career.
As a 501(c)(3) conservation charity, our aim isn't to generate profit for ourselves. We'd rather fill seats, make new connections, and open doors for folks to be more involved in conservation. Therefore, our certifications never expire, there are no unnecessary training tiers, and 100% of every registration directly supports our conservation and education work as part of our nonprofit mission, which you can read about in our Blog. Like all of our professional workshops, we offer a Pay-What-You-Can Discount for anyone in financial need. We believe high-quality safety training should be affordable, accessible, and support our wild communities.​Train with confidence. Learn from experts. Grow your community, and help conserve the wildlife we love.
Casey Butler, MI
“HIGHLY recommend taking any of their workshops, classes, or any event! The MW FOWL team takes great care in making sure both people AND animals are safe, and are just great people to spend time with!"
Jennifer Brown, NY
"I can't thank you all enough! Taking this course was one of the best experiences of my life. I learned so much, and I can't wait to volunteer with any surveys I can next year!"
Jackie Sandberg, WI
"Honestly, this is one of the better CE/professional trainings I've been to in 12 years as a wildlife rehabilitator."