Places to Volunteer
(Updated April 16, 2010)
Go to Volunteer Center of Orange County for information about local volunteer projects that give you a chance to give back!
Go to OC Wild and click on "Landsteward Brochure" for more volunteer opportunities.
New!
Irvine Ranch Conservancy
http://www.irvineranchconservancy.org/getting/volunteer.aspx
Many opportunities available! Everything from being a docent to being a citizen scientist.
Aliso & Wood Canyons Park Brush Trimming
http://www.ocparks.com/alisoandwoodcanyons/
Tuesdays, Wednesdays, or Thursdays; 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Aliso & Wood Wilderness Park is looking for 3-4 volunteers to assist with trimming down brush along the bike path on an on-going basis.
Back to Natives Restoration
Occasionally Back to Natives needs volunteers to assist with habitat restoration projects (removing non-native plants, and planting native plants). If you are interested in learning about these Volunteer Community Service Opportunities send an email to volunteer@backtonatives.org, and be added to our email list or visit http://www.backtonatives.org/volunteer.htm
Back to Natives offers SERVICE LEARNING PROGRAMS, integrating meaningful community service with instruction and reflection to enrich the learning experience, teach civic responsibility, and strengthen communities. Back to Natives' service learning program is designed to introduce middle/high school students to ecological concepts through field trips and community service. Email volunteer@backtonatives.org for more information.
Bolsa Chica Stewards
http://www.bolsachicalandtrust.org
The Bolsa Chica Stewards, the restoration team of the Bolsa Chica Land Trust, has worked for ten years planting more than 8,000 native plants on the Bolsa Chica mesa using only community volunteers. The Stewards have twelve core leaders who ensure that each work day is productive, safe, educational, and fun for everyone who chooses to participate. Grab your tools. Get your hands dirty. Have a great time!
For more information, visit Bolsa Chica Land Trust or contact Marc Stirdivant via e-mail bclt@bolsachicalandtrust.org or phone 714-846-1001.
Caspers Wilderness Park
33401 Ortega Hwy.
San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675
Opportunities:
- Join the Caspers Park Preservation Foundation: Call 949-923-2203 for information
- Guide Nature Walks: Call 714-973-6871
- Exotic Plant Removal: Call 949-923-2210 or 714-973-6870 for information
Clark Regional Park
8800 Rosecrans Ave.
Buena Park, CA 90621
Please contact Park Ranger Lisa Babilonia for information 714-973-6671
http://www.ocparks.com
Interested in Fossils? Clark Regional Park is looking for volunteers who can assist in the Interpretive Center with fossils found around Orange County. Clarks Interpretive Center houses an amazing display of prehistoric plants and animals. This is a great volunteer activity for college students and seniors interested in finding out more about Orange County's past.
Clark Regional Park: Interpretive Center Volunteer
Call 714-973-6871 for information
Help us educate and inform the center's visitors on Orange County's prehistoric plant and animal life.
- Duties: Answer general questions about the park's display of Orange County's animal/plant fossils, greet visitors, and assist with the daily running of the center.
- Skills/Qualifications: We are looking for friendly college students and Senior Citizens, who love interacting with others. Clark's Interpretive Center houses an amazing display of prehistoric plants and animals. This is an excellent opportunity for students who are interested in archeology, paleontology, or similar fields.
Craig Regional Park
3300 State College Blvd.
Fullerton, CA 92835
714-973-6871
Opportunities:
- Cactus Garden Volunteer (create a cactus garden!)
- Native Garden Maintenance Volunteer
Crystal Cove State Park
http://www.crystalcovestatepark.com/volunteer.htm
For information, email Winter Bonnin at: wbonnin@parks.ca.gov
Crystal Cove State Park has many docents and volunteers who comprise our Volunteers In Parks program. Volunteers are rewarded for their service in various ways. Each receives an annual parking pass for Crystal Cove State Park, or, if they meet the 200 hour requirement, a state-wide parking pass. We offer training days, have summer parties, and thank them with activities such as whale watching from a park boat or vehicle drives along the perimeter of the backcountry.
- "Teacher Creatures" help assist in tidepool education. We schedule these volunteers on weekend days when there is a low tide of 1.0 and below. Their "job" is to patrol the tidepools, offer educational information, assist park visitors in identifying intertidal organisms, and gently remind visitors of the rules.
- Volunteers staff the Visitor Center in our Historic District.
- Trail Assistants patrol the backcountry on mountain bikes and assist park visitors with information, offer directions, route recommendations, and provide emergency bike repair and communications.
- Docents lead scheduled, formal programs. We offer a variety of monthly docent led programs including backcountry hikes, beach walks, tidepool talks, gray whale programs, geology walks, and full moon mountain bike rides. All programs are free to the public, with the exception of the parking fee, and are advertised in a monthly calendar which is distributed to several local newspapers, local environmental organizations, scouting and other public groups, on several web sites, and in our park bulletin boards. Our docents are formally trained. All have completed a college course offered by the Nature Conservancy through two local junior colleges.
- Crystal Cove Interpretive Association consists of a small group of dedicated volunteers who raise funds to support the interpretive program, offer quarterly speaker meetings, produce a newsletter, and staff our El Moro Visitor Center.
Discovery Science Center
2500 N. Main St.
Santa Ana, CA 92705
714-542-2823
http://64.143.71.42/index.htm
Discovery Science Center is seeking volunteers ages 16 and older to help with visitor services, science demonstrations, story time, education programs, exhibit maintenance & construction and more. Perfect for retired seniors, teachers, students, professionals, science enthusiasts and more! Call 714-913-5028 or email for details. Visit the Volunteer Web Page.
Environmental Nature Center
1601 16th Street
Newport Beach, CA 92663
949-645-8489
http://www.encenter.org/ then click on Volunteers
Frances Bennett Memorial Rose Garden
Heritage Hill Historical Park
25151 Serrano Road
Lake Forrest, CA 92630
(949) 923-2230 or (949) 923-2232
Help is needed in taking care of the Frances Bennett Memorial Rose Garden. You are invited to come tend the rose garden on a regular basis. Basic rose care such as deadheading, fertilizing and pruning is needed. The "turn of the century" Bennett Ranch house is one of four restored buildings open to the public at Heritage Hill Historical Park. Dates and times are negotiable. Age: 16 years and up.
George Key Ranch Garden
George Key Ranch Historical Park
625 W. Bastanchury Rd.
Placentia, CA 92670
(714) 528-4260 or (714) 973-3191
The historic Verse Garden needs someone to care of and maintain it while it grows. Docents are needed to give tours of an old cemetery, an adobe house and an old valencia ranch house and its collection of community artifacts. Age: 18 and older. 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM
Irvine Open Space Preserve Nature Center
2nd Saturdays
To register visit http://www.IrvineQuickReg.org or call 949-724-6738.
Bring the family for some fresh air and exercise and join us for our monthly land steward day! Projects vary and include: trail maintenance, invasive plant removal, and general conservation. Bring your own tools (labeled), hat and closed toed shoes. Other tools, water, and light refreshments provided. Parents must accompany children under 18. Call for additional project information. Ages 14+.
Laguna Coast Wilderness Park
20101 Laguna Canyon Road
Laguna Beach, CA 92651
949-923-2235
Wilderness Access Volunteer (WAV) Training
Join the fun! Become a Wilderness Access Volunteer and join the Laguna Coast volunteer team who assist visitors at the park information/sign-in table. Its a wonderful opportunity to help out while meeting new people and enjoying a pristine wilderness experience! Call or e-mail the park office to sign up!
Newport Bay Restoration
Contact Matt Yurko at (949) 640-0286 or at myurko@coastal.ca.gov
Volunteers are needed to join in the monthly restoration work at Upper Newport Bay. Volunteers meet the fourth Saturday of every month from 9 AM - 12 PM at the Peter Mary Muth Interpretive Center parking lot, 2301 University Drive, Newport Beach. Training, tools, refreshments and scenery are provided.
Newport Harbor Nautical Museum
Contact: Nancy Caruso at ncaruso@cacoastkeeper.org
The Newport Harbor Nautical Museum is looking for volunteers to care for the touch tank in their kelp forest exhibit. Every week 250 students touch and learn at this exhibit, it is a vital part of their educational programs. Volunteers are needed to clean the tank and feed the animals. You would be needed at least once per week. This would be excellent for community service or for a young budding marine biologist or just someone who wants to help out! A perk is that you will be able to attend all the cool events at the Nautical Museum.
Thomas F. Riley Wilderness Park
30952 Oso Parkway
Coto De Caza, CA 92679
714-973-6871 or 949-923-2266
Opportunities:
- Riley Nature Center Volunteer Staff
- Butterfly Garden Volunteer
Santa Ana Zoo
http://www.santaanazoo.org/6vis.htm
1801 E. Chestnut Ave.
Santa Ana 92701
Opportunities:
- Weekday Docents: If you like sharing the wonders of the animal kingdom with children, the weekday docent program is for you. Docents lead school tours and assist with our traveling outreach program weekday mornings. Minimum age: 18. Contact Alison at 714-647-6568 for additional information
- ZOO AMBASSADORS: On the weekends, the Zoo Ambassadors share the zoo�s conservation message through hands-on artifact carts, activity stations, live animal encounters, public presentations, and other guest interactions. You must be able to work independently and have good public relations skills. Minimum age: 18. Contact Alison at 714-647-6568 for additional information
- SPECIAL EVENTS: Every month, something new and interesting is happening at the Zoo! Whether it is the Zoo-B-Que, Zoofari or Boo at the Zoo, we're always in need of volunteers to assist with the events. Work on kids' crafts, scoop ice cream or paint faces. Minimum age: 16. Please contact Kristy at 714-953-8555 x12 for additional information.
- ZOO TRAIN: Have you always wanted to be a train engineer? Volunteers are needed for train operations including track maintenance and train maintenance. Open Fri., Sat., and Sun.; Minimum age: 25. Please contact Kristy at 714-953-8555 x12 for additional information.
- CLERICAL: Is office work your cup of tea? Do you enjoy working on computers? Then helping out filing, stuffing, folding, labeling, or entering data may be your perfect match. No experience required. It's fun, easy and interesting. Work mornings or afternoons, weekdays or weekends. Minimum age: 16. Please contact Kristy at 714-953-8555 x12 for additional info.
Santiago Oaks Regional Park
2145 N. Windes Drive
Orange, CA 92869
714-973-6871 or 714-973-6622
Opportunities:
- Santiago Oaks Interpretive Center Volunteer
- Trail and Park Maintenance Volunteer
Yorba Park
7600 E. La Palma
Anaheim, CA 92807
714-973-6615 or 714-973-6838
Opportunities:
- Pampas Grass Removal (labor intensive!)
Volunteer Naturalists Sought
Information:Don Thomas: fordonkay@yahoo.com
Volunteers are wanted to teach prescribed short (one- or two- hour) programs one or two days a week at various venues around the county such as: Sea & Sage Audubon, various County Parks, Oak Canyon Nature Center, Santiago Park in Santa Ana and others.