Our Tribe’s Fortune – Gold: 1,000 Hours – Renee Dowhaniuk

“Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, Nothing is going to get better. It’s not.” ― Dr. Seuss, The Lorax

BPTMN: What inspired you to become a Master Naturalist? 

I think we all owe a debt to Mother Nature; we take her for granted and seldom give back for the blessings she has bestowed upon us. I was attending a wildlife rehabilitation class on bats when I first heard about the program. After looking into the program, I felt this was an organization I needed to join and to support. The exposure to multiple volunteer opportunities and the education I received during training helped me narrow my focus of where I would be most effective. From the time I was a child I have always been a strong advocate for animals (of all types). I have worked in animal rescue, taught humane education, done community outreach for animals in need and most recently have become a sub-permit holder under a licensed wildlife rehabilitator. As a Master Naturalist I have the ability to share this passion and all the vital information I learn with others, in the hope of inspiring them to join me in giving back.

BPTMN: On what type of projects do you typically spend your service hours, or are they varied?

I do in-home wildlife rehabilitation. In 2024 I had 23 opossums come through for care and rehabilitation. Mothers with babies still in their pouch, juveniles being prepared for release back into the wild, lappers (opossums just starting to eat a slurry on their own), a very old senior, and most recently a long-term head trauma survivor. I have had to provide wound care (and trust me when you have a feisty opossum this can be tricky), care for babies that lost their mother, learn how to tube feed, irrigate wounds, give medication, prepare special diets, create enrichment among other things. I also do event photography for The Blackland Prairie Raptor Center, I have volunteered with the Plano Outdoor Learning Center and will be doing that again in 2025. As you can see my passion and volunteer work is tied closely with our animal friends.

BPTMN: When you were taking the Master Naturalist classes, do you have a favorite lesson that has stuck with you?

I really enjoyed the Ornithology class. I have rehabbed featherless little birds and gotten them the point that they were ready to be taken to Rogers for release preparation. This class inspired me to learn more about our native birds and find ways to make my backyard a more enjoyable and sustainable environment for them. We have put up screech owl houses, have multiple bird baths and feeders, 3 purple martin houses, 4 bluebird houses and several other homes for the sparrows. Living on multiple acres we are able to provide housing options for many feathered friends. The Ornithology class made me appreciate the diversity and uniqueness of birds, follow their migration, participate in the Great Backyard Bird Count and enjoy the pleasure of correctly identifying a bird.

BPTMN: Can you tell us a bit about yourself, your background, and perhaps what you like to do in your spare time?

I am a professional photographer, and I specialize in pets and their people. Ten years ago, while living in Louisiana I was a BOD member for PAWS of NE Louisiana. I did humane education presentations and took various animals on local television stations twice a week. It was at that time I realized that the animals in the many high kill shelters in the area were receiving little to no exposure. I began doing weekly photographs of animals on the euthanasia list and that was the beginning of my professional career. I currently do pro-bono marketing and networking photographs for Dallas DogRRR among other rescues and non-profits. I am a member of Hearts Speak, artists donating time and talent to animals in need. My passion for animals began at a very young age and has led me to doing wildlife rehabilitation. I am a sub-permit holder under a licensed rehabilitator with North Texas Wildlife Center. I rehabilitate opossums at my home with the goal of returning them to their natural environment. This joyful and heart wrenching rehabilitative work is how I earn the majority of my TMN volunteer hours. The rest are earned at other facilities specializing in the care of wildlife. I have been married 42 years, have a son living in Colorado and one in Rwanda so my husband and I enjoy adventure vacations visiting the boys and their families.

BPTMN: Is there one thing that you’d like to tell others who are thinking of becoming a Master Naturalist or perhaps current members who might need a little bit of inspiration? 

We live in a time where too many people disregard the signs right in front of them. They do not believe climate change is real; they don’t seem to understand the impact of urban sprawl and the need for all of us to make conscientious changes in our lifestyles. I think we can inspire through our actions, speaking with enthusiasm and conviction and provide little opportunities to open people’s eyes and hearts to things they may not be seeing. I know through my work with opossums, sharing stories, photographs and videos that I have been able to change a lot of opinions on my favorite little marsupial. I am doing a deep dive class on 4/1/25, “Opossums, The Misunderstood Marsupial” and I hope the presentation will encourage others looking for an opportunity to work with our native wildlife.