HOURS OF OPERATION
Thursday, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
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
- Buds and Bark Tree ID02/17/2019 @ 1:00 pm-2:30 pmDeciduous trees can be tricky to identify in the winter because their leaves have fallen. Join us on a hike to identify some key characteristics to help you figure out which is which. Warm up by the fire with some hot chocolate afterwards!
- Meet a Critter02/17/2019 @ 3:30 pm-4:30 pmCheck out one of our live critters up close while discovering what makes that animal special.
- Plankton Monitoring Studies02/20/2019 @ 10:00 am-12:00 pmOur plankton citizen science project is a great opportunity for science-minded individuals to contribute to monitoring and research at the Center. Help is needed with collection, identification, and analysis of plankton samples. Interested individuals should contact the Center for introductory training.
- Marsh Fairy Lanterns02/23/2019 @ 10:30 am-12:00 pmFanciful fairies are known to inhabit all sorts of places, including the marsh. Create a beautiful, decorative lantern that is reminiscent of the lush world of marsh fairies in the summer season.
- Critter Dinner Time02/23/2019 @ 1:30 pm-2:30 pmWatch our turtles, amphibians and snakes eat while learning about these fascinating creatures.
What's Happening
