Jordyn O’Gara has been the Volunteer and Education Manager since June 2024. In this role,
she helps oversee the day-to-day volunteer activities and works to expand the volunteer
department. She also supports the Education Department at RSR. Jordyn found Ruff Start
Rescue through Facebook and became interested in fostering, which then led to learning about
this position within the organization.
She has a Bachelor’s in Natural Resources with a dual degree in Fisheries & Wildlife Ecology
and Ecological Restoration from Northland College, and a master’s in environmental education
from University of Minnesota – Duluth. She has been an intern at the International Wolf Center,
raised baby wildlife at Wild Instincts Rehabilitation Center, been a veterinary assistant at two
different veterinary clinics, and done Gray Wolf and Grey Fox research through her bachelor's

program. She has also done Gray Wolf education, Loon education, and environmental
education through different positions throughout Minnesota and Wisconsin.
In her spare time, you can find her hanging out with her pets at home, tending to her extensive
house plant collection, or enjoying the outdoors through hiking, kayaking, camping, and
canoeing. Jordyn lives with her boyfriend, dog, cats, ferrets, tortoises, and hedgehog in Milaca,
MN. She is from the Twin Cities, but has lived in Ashland, WI, Ely, MN, Rhinelander, WI, and
Duluth, MN.