HOURS OF OPERATION
Monday thru Friday, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Sunday, 12:00 noon to 5:00 p.m.
Education Volunteer
Job Description
Help students discover and explore estuary ecology at the Anita C. Leight Estuary Center.
Volunteer Commitment
Lab Program Volunteers are asked to commit to specific dates as they become available. Volunteers are called as soon as dates are available. Volunteers are not required to assist with a specific number per year. Volunteers are provided with as much notice as possible. Volunteers have the ability to choose from available dates as they are scheduled and therefore, are able to work around their own schedule. Additional dates may become available on short notice and will also be offered to volunteers.
Minimum Qualifications
Program Volunteers must have the following qualifications.
- strong desire to work with students
- a background in science, natural history, and/or lab experience preferred
- strong interpersonal skills to interact positively with the public and students
- ability to follow direction
- basic public speaking skills
- strong communication skills
Sample Tasks
- arrive early to assist in set up
- stay late to assist in clean up
- Activities include fish seining, nature games, stream sampling, lab activities, mammal, reptile and amphibian monitoring, etc.
- in a positive and polite fashion, volunteers should assist students with any difficulties they may have
Training & Benefits
Volunteers will receive specific training on how to assist with this program. There are many benefits to becoming an *active volunteer at the Anita C. Leight Estuary Center, including seasonal volunteer appreciation trips, the annual volunteer dinner, skill and resume development, meeting new people, and let's not forget spending time in a natural place (to mention just a few). *Please note: Active volunteer status is reached when you volunteer at least 20 hours a year.
How to Become a Volunteer
First, fill out a volunteer interest form and return it to the Anita C. Leight Estuary Center located at 700 Otter Point Road, Abingdon, MD 21009 or by fax at 410-612-0819. Second, you will be contacted to set up an interview by the Volunteer Coordinator. The interview is designed to help determine which volunteer opportunities will best suit both your needs and the current openings at the Estuary Center. Please remember the needs of our volunteer programs change so we may not always have openings in all program areas.
Calendar of EventsView all
- Invasinators04/18/2021 @ 12:00 pm-2:00 pmBecome part of a volunteer team of invasive plant removers and native plant restorers. Learn why non-native invasive plants are a threat to our ecosystem, how to identify problem plants, and removal and restoration strategies. Wear sturdy shoes, long sleeves, and work gloves for field work in the Reserve each meeting date, weather permitting.
- Ponds and Polliwogs04/18/2021 @ 1:00 pm-2:30 pmHop on over to dip net in the ponds and puddles surrounding the Center to see what is swimming around!
- Wandering for Wildflowers04/18/2021 @ 3:00 pm-4:30 pmThe first wildflowers of spring are elusive and ephemeral but well worth the hunt. Hike on and off trail in search of ladyslippers, wild azaleas, and trout lilies, discovering the survival secrets of each!
- Tails and Tots04/18/2021 @ 3:30 pm-4:30 pmStory time with a natural twist! Listen to stories, learn new songs, and move like the animals!
- Nature Playgroup04/19/2021 @ 9:30 am-10:30 amLittle ones and their parents play and learn in the natural world. Stories, songs, simple crafts and discovery outings will highlight each day’s theme. Topics: Turtles, Flowers, Clouds, Frogs, Ducks, and Butterflies Dates: Mondays, March 22, 29, April 5, 12, 19, 26
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