It’s fun! You’ll meet visitors from around the world and work with other volunteers who enjoy wildlife and wildlands. We hold orientation sessions and take occasional field trips. You’ll learn to identify different wildlife species. Work is done in a natural, scenic setting. Recognition items are awarded at an annual get-together. Other benefits cannot be described with mere words...

Visitor Center Host

Major Duties & Responsibilities
Greet visitors, relay information, present slide show, ring up bookshop sales, check in store inventory, fill bird feeders, keep the area tidy.

Skills Needed
Ability to interact with visitors and other staff in a friendly and courteous manner. Be willing to read and learn about the mission of the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and visitor opportunities available at the refuge. Have a general knowledge of the area, services and things to see and do.

Time Commitment
Weekly or bi-weekly shifts of 4 to 5 hours, or as agreed upon. Spring, summer and fall.

Interpretive Naturalist

Major Duties & Responsibilities
Present or assist with interpretive talks and/or group tours. School groups visit in spring and fall. Tours for the general public are given during summer months. Occasionally assist with display develop-ment and construction.

Skills Needed
An interest in or general knowledge of the outdoors and wildlife. Willingness to read and learn more about what you don’t know. Be able to research, organize and present information to groups in a friendly and professional manner. Ability to work independently.

Time Commitment
Variable and flexible. Spring, summer and fall.

Note: Training will be provided for all positions.

Wildlife Technician

Major Duties & Responsibilities
Assist refuge staff with a variety of wildlife work, including waterfowl pair counts, ruffed grouse drumming survey, bald eagle and osprey nest surveys, duck banding, loon-grebe-tern survey and more.
*See “Volunteer Opportunities With Biological Programs” list available from the refuge.

Skills Needed
Variable according to job. Physical stamina to walk distances. Some bending and light lifting. Ability to operate automobiles & light trucks or watercraft. Ability or willingness to learn identification of some wildlife species. Be able to work with others in a friendly and professional manner.

Time Commitment
Variable according to job. Some work is done in one short block of time. Other work may require several visits over a period of time. Spring, summer, fall & winter.

Gardener/Groundskeeper

Major Duties & Responsibilities
Assist staff with planning, planting and maintenance of flowers, shrubs and trees around visitor center. Keep visitor center grounds and other public use areas free of litter. Clear refuge trails of litter and deadfalls. Assist with replacement of refuge signs or other small projects on occasion.

Skills Needed
Ability and physical stamina to walk distances. Some bending and lifting. Ability to use power and hand tools. Be able to provide information to visitors and a friendly and helpful manner.

Time Commitment
Variable according to job and season. Whole or half days, as arranged with volunteer coordinator or refuge staff.

Some Volunteer Opportunities by Season

Spring
Ruffed Grouse Drumming Survey
Waterfowl Breeding Pair Count
Bald Eagle Nest Survey
Landscaping & Yard Work
Staff Visitor Center

Summer
Heron Rookery Survey
Loon - Grebe - Tern Survey
Landscaping & Yard Work
Staff Visitor Center

Fall
Predator Scent Post Survey
Waterfowl Banding
Weekly Waterfowl Census
Staff Visitor Center

Winter
Christmas Bird Count
Winter Track Count

All Year
Photography
Clerical/Computer Work