Fiona Law
Arbroath, Scotland

Why did you choose to volunteer at Sylvan Heights?
I love working outdoors with birds and the environment. I wanted to work hard, have fun, and be surrounded with friends and birds.

What are the most essential things you learned as a Sylvan Heights volunteer?
I gained experience in working with birds up close. My work at home is with wild birds, so you don't often get near them. I learned more about waterfowl. I realized what great friends I have in everyone there. I learned about myself. When I was volunteering (at age 18), I was scared of some of the larger species. This time I was more confident with them (except the Screamers!). This gave me great satisfaction. (I sorted my head out, too.)

Did your experience as a volunteer help in your career?
The confidence and personal experiences show in my life. Things I did or learned can be relayed into other situations. Last week I applied for a warden's job in Ireland. It would be working in a fenland and they want someone to specialize in wildfowl.

Why should others volunteer at Sylvan Heights?
I had such a great time and learned lots. I love volunteering at Sylvan Heights and being in the midst of things. I love the challenge of new things and feel happiest in life when birds are around. I would recommend (volunteering at) Sylvan Heights to anyone like me.

Katie Gipple
Medford, Oregon    Note: Katie is currently on staff at Sylvan Heights Waterfowl

Why did you choose to volunteer at Sylvan Heights?
I needed to find a five-week internship that centered on animal research, in order to complete my major in Fisheries & Wildlife at Oregon State University.  My professor knew Mike Lubbock and suggested that an internship at Sylvan Heights Waterfowl Center would be a great way to fulfill my scholastic requirement.

What are the most essential things you learned as a Sylvan Heights volunteer?
I was able to spend a lot of time learning details on aviculture from Mike, and from Nick Hill, Curator of Aviculture.  I enjoyed learning about cranes the most.

The baby cranes need to be walked every day.  They need the exercise and to learn how to be a crane - eating bugs and stuff.

Did your experience as a volunteer help in your career?
I've had an interest in birds from an early age.  In Oregon, I worked on several projects including a study of songbirds and habitat use in the Willamette Valley. Although many students in the Fisheries & Wildlife program at OSU are seeking careers in animal research or wildlife refuge management, my interest is more toward working in zoos, especially those that focus on conservation efforts in the local area.  My volunteer internship at Sylvan Heights has helped to reinforce that working with animals is the right career direction for me.

Why should others volunteer at Sylvan Heights?
It's a really fun place to be and everyone is really nice. You can find out if a career of working with animals is for you.

Any other comments?
During my stay at Sylvan Heights, I saw how important the Center is to waterfowl conservation efforts worldwide. The collection is used by wildlife researchers for important studies and the Lubbock's are helping to preserve species that are endangered. These birds are a backup in case we lose them in the wild.

Elise Engel

T'Zand, Holland

Why did you choose to volunteer at Sylvan Heights?

I first learned about Sylvan Heights from some previous volunteers that work with waterfowl at a farm in Holland called Kooy and Sons.

What are the most essential things you learned as a Sylvan Heights volunteer?

I helped the staff with imprinting some waterfowl species which may play a role in Sylvan Heights’ new educational programs. I also spent a great deal of time working with Curator of Aviculture, Nick Hill, caring for the White-winged Wood Duck hatchlings.

Why should others volunteer at Sylvan Heights?

I have my own waterfowl back home so I wanted to come to the United States, not only to see the sights, but also to gain more knowledge about waterfowl from Sylvan Heights Director, Mike Lubbock. Others can do the same as I.

Any other comments?

My favorite bird species at the preserve is the Coscoroba Swan.  I especially enjoyed seeing the young swans, which hatched this spring, develop and grow.  An added highlight for me was spending a couple of days at the North Carolina Zoo, working with the keepers at the new Australia Walkabout exhibit.

Jan Harteman
Lienden, Holland

Why did you choose to volunteer at Sylvan Heights?
I had nearly completed a degree Animal Management and Husbandry and the internship at Sylvan Heights was my final project. Peter Kooy, founder of P. Kooy & Sons Waterfowl Breeding Farm, in T’zand, Holland, recommended Sylvan Heights as the best place to learn about birds because of the high level of avian expertise found there.

What are the most essential things you learned as a Sylvan Heights volunteer?
I noted a difference between how most Americans keep waterfowl versus Europeans.  In America, most of the birds are full-winged in covered aviaries while in Europe the birds are most likely pinioned and kept in open field pens. I would like to bring this idea of full-winged birds to Europe.

Did your experience as a volunteer help in your career?
I plan to use my understanding of waterfowl as an educator. It’s important to instruct young people about birds—how to take care of them and breed them. That’s what I am doing and I will definitely utilize a lot of what I learned at Sylvan Heights.

Why should others volunteer at Sylvan Heights?

Sylvan Heights left a very favorable impression on me. I'd like to see other young bird enthusiasts from Europe take advantage of the same opportunities I had at the breeding center.

Anna Kaiser and Stefanie Knopf

Berlin, Germany

Anna and Stefanie came to Sylvan Heights as a package. They have been friends for over seven years, attended the same schools and lived within two minutes of each other in their hometown of Berlin. The pair arrived at Sylvan Heights in early August 2006 and quickly began to learn the routine of feeding the birds and caring for the hatchlings. “They let us do a lot with the eggs and handle the birds”, said Stefanie.

Both girls declared that “Maggie” the Magpie goose was their favorite bird at Sylvan Heights. “You can pet Maggie, she seems to like it”, said Anna. “I also like the Smews, they come toward me when I feed them and they’re cute. But I don’t like the Spur-winged Geese—they are very aggressive.” The Black Swan is another favorite for Stefanie. “I didn’t realize these birds existed”, she exclaimed. “And I never saw a white peacock until I got here.” Stefanie also likes “Piggy” the imprinted Cape Barren (Cereopsis) Goose that now resides in the park’s Australia exhibit. “She’s cute and so are the Kookaburras.”

Thanks in part to their volunteer work at Sylvan Heights they have a general idea of what they will study when they return home and enter the university next year. “I will probably study biology or natural science”, said Anna, “something to do with wildlife.” Stefanie intends to pursue a degree in agricultural science. “I’ll study animal husbandry and farming,” said Stefanie. “I am very interested in organic farming.”

David Thomas Price
Cardiff, South Wales UK

Why did you choose to volunteer at Sylvan Heights?

I have a Masters Degree in Environmental Conservation Management from the University of Glamorgan. I wasengaged in a study of the long-term stability of the heronry island at Coombe Abbey County Park in Coventry. I wanted hands-on experience of working with the many species of birds at the Waterfowl Center. Spending time outdoors is much more enjoyable than being cooped-up in an office with a computer.

What are the most essential things you learned as a Sylvan Heights volunteer?
My main interest right now is birds. I liked moving the birds from one area of the breeding preserve to another when needed. Every day I learned many new things about birds and pen design. I helped build a new aviary and performed  a variety of other tasks as needed.

Did your experience as a volunteer help in your career?
My professional goal is to be a wildlife biologist, especially one that works closely with endangered species. I saw from the Web site that Sylvan Heights has a number of endangered birds and I wanted the opportunity to learn more about them.

Why should others volunteer at Sylvan Heights?
I would absolutely recommend that others consider volunteering at Sylvan Heights. Everyone is so friendly and there is potential to learn a great deal. But don’t go there if you’re afraid of hard work!

Gontran De Ceballos

Spain

Christianne Nielsen Guzman
Santiago, Chile

Why did you choose to volunteer at Sylvan Heights?
I thought it was the best way to get hands-on experience and learn as much as possible about waterfowl.

What are the most essential things you learned as a Sylvan Heights volunteer?
I learned a lot about cranes - how important it is to walk cranes on a daily basis. Also, I learned how important the feeding is - making sure the food is in good shape and keeping everything clean. And I learned to really love what you’re doing.

Did your experience as a volunteer help in your career?

It helped me by realizing what it means to work with waterfowl and all the dedication you need to be able to run a place like Sylvan Heights.

Why should others volunteer at Sylvan Heights?
It’s a great place to practice "English" and the people you meet are from all around the world. You have the opportunity to do a bit of everything and the way the Lubbock's make you feel - it's like being at home.

Any other comments?
I went to Sylvan Heights not knowing anything about them and came back quite impressed with myself from all the things I learned from Mike Lubbock, who is considered the "Waterfowl Man". I had a great time. If you have the opportunity to go there - don't miss out, because it's a wonderful experience.

Why did you choose to volunteer at Sylvan Heights?
I chose to volunteer at Sylvan Heights because I have an innate love for waterfowl.

What are the most essential things you learned as a Sylvan Heights volunteer?
I have gained relevant knowledge about waterfowl husbandry, conservation issues and logistical concerns, whether political or financial, in relation to running an organization. My personal development was greatly influenced from my years at Sylvan Heights. It has made me a team leader, a dedicated worker, and gave me confidence and the ability to handle difficult situations.

Did your experience as a volunteer help in your career?
My volunteer experience at Sylvan Heights was instrumental getting me a space with the United States Peace Corps, which is very competitive. Furthermore, (volunteering at) the preserve has helped develop skills necessary to put together an expedition to Madagascar. Finally, Sylvan Heights is an important personal asset and reference for university or job applications.

Why should others volunteer at Sylvan Heights?
It is quite ironic that when I think of Sylvan Heights, I think more of my personal and social development than my interactions with the waterfowl. For that reason, you do not need to have a natural love of waterfowl to get some kind of experience from volunteering at the preserve. Also, Sylvan Heights is a place of multiculturalism that brings volunteers from around the world together - thus building lasting relationships that I carry on today.

Patricia Fonseca
Merida, Venezuela

Why did you choose to volunteer at Sylvan Heights?
Because I love animals and a friend of mine told about this place.

What are the most essential things you learned as a Sylvan Heights volunteer?
First, I learned to take care of a large diversity of birds. Also, the staff at Sylvan Heights made me feel like part of the team.

Did your experience as a volunteer help in your career?
Everyone had a lot of patience with non-English speakers. I learned English much better and the experience made me more secure about my vocation and what I want to do in life.

Why should others volunteer at Sylvan Heights?
Everyone who loves animals has should visit Sylvan Heights. It is the most beautiful place and ideal for learning to care for animals.

Christine Kooy
Holland

Why did you choose to volunteer at Sylvan Heights?
I grew up on a waterfowl breeding farm in Holland and I wanted to see America - learn the language, meet other

people and experience the culture.

What are the most essential things you learned as a Sylvan Heights volunteer?
I was able to compare experiences on a waterfowl farm in another country with my own here in Holland.  I made new friends and learned to speak English and I have a lot more life experience.

Did your experience as a volunteer help in your career?
Birds will always be a part of my life, but it's more a hobby than a career.

Why should others volunteer at Sylvan Heights?
Because you will have the time of your life, guaranteed! There is a lot to learn at the farm and they really make you feel welcome. It's a bit addictive, I keep coming back and I think that says it all.

Mathias Haack
Germany - Island Rügen, Baltic Sea

Why did you choose to volunteer at Sylvan Heights?
To get experience and see America.

What are the most essential things you learned as a Sylvan Heights volunteer?
To keep on going! Have a good time! And never forget to go fishing!

Did your experience as a volunteer help in your career?
It is always good to have a resumé from the USA, especially for getting a new job.

Why should others volunteer at Sylvan Heights?
Ali, Mike, Brent, John. Seriously, it is a good thing to do - working with the ducks and animals. You are responsible for what you are doing or not.