CHARLOTTE -- The Duck Rescue Network tries to save the lives of animals throughout the area in many different ways, and this weekend was no different.

The group attempted to educate people about waterfowl, hoping the knowledge will help animals in the future. People from across the country gathered at the Wing Haven Garden and Bird Sanctuary in Myers Park trying to learn as much as possible to take home with them.

“It is really important to help diminish the suffering of animals everywhere,” said Tiffany Young. “And what we do is help educate communities on how to live in sync with wildlife.”

At the conference, the group learned more about safe removal as well as training for responding to emergency care, bird control and hazardous materials. They say Charlotte is only one of three areas in the country to have oil response teams for birds. The lack of more national teams is one of several problems the group said animals are facing.

“We’re running out of natural resources in the Charlotte area because we are growing so quickly,” said Jennifer Gordan. “A lot of the wildlife are struggling.”

Members said is the animals struggle, the people will struggle.

“Being a part of the food chain, it’s very important to have these birds because they help control other organisms in the environment to keep them from overpopulating and to just keep everything running smoothly the way it was planned to be,” said Betty O’Leary with the Carolina Raptor Center.

To learn more about how to help, click Duck Rescue.