Islands’ Oil Spill Association is offering a free training class Sunday, May 6, on Lopez Island, for those who would like to help in the search and rescue and collection of oiled birds, in the event of an oil spill in, or near, the San Juan Islands.

A minimum of eight hours of training is required by the Washington state Department of Fish & Wildlife of anyone working with oiled birds or in the area of an oil spill. IOSA’s May 6 class — preregistration is required — is one of two must-have classes needed to obtain 8-hour certification, and it provides participants with five of the required eight hours of training.

And it’s a great opportunity to be prepared before such skills are needed.

The first half of the training is classroom oriented, the second is an on-the-beach field session with an emphasis on strategies and techniques for stalking, capturing and providing initial care for oil-soaked birds.

To register or for class info, call IOSA, 378-5322, or email: iosaoffice@rockisland.com