VOLUNTEER
Get Involved
We truly appreciate that you would like to dedicate your valuable time to support us in our mission! We thank you for your patience, and we look forward to having you as a member of our dynamic volunteer team!
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Aquarium
Assistant
*A weekly commitment of at least three hours a week between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., with a minimum three-month commitment.
Learning is an ongoing process, training will be provided.
Learn about fish and invertebrates from the estuary, by helping our staff with aquarium maintenance aimed at keeping our live teaching collection in the healthiest condition possible, in pristine-looking exhibit tanks. Includes cleaning and maintenance of tanks and life-support filtration systems.
Individuals must meet the following qualifications and interview with the Volunteer Specialist and the Aquarist before being considered for training:
- Individual must be at least 16, with interest in environmental studies, biology or aquariums
- Aquarium experience preferred but not required
- Good observation skills
- The ability to communicate verbally, with enthusiasm to help guests learn about the animals and their habitats
- The ability to follow detailed instructions
Fish feeding includes understanding nutritional requirements of fish, preparing diets, and feeding of aquarium animals under the guidance of our Aquarist and Education Specialist.
Elementary
Education
Volunteering will take place varied days throughout the school year, 4-5 hours a weekday.
Learning is an ongoing process and all volunteers are required to attend annual training.
After a training session, volunteers will have the opportunity to work directly with students doing scientific investigations of the estuary. Students will do a variety of activities. Here are just a few: take water quality samples, learn about plankton, identify organisms that live within Oyster beds and the role they play in the oyster reef and use microscopes to view plankton samples. Activities are in the ELC, outside, and in the lab.
Docent
REQUIREMENTS:
A weekly commitment of two hours in off-season, three hours in-season, for at least 3 months.
Training required and provided prior to commencement of assignment. Learning is an ongoing process and all volunteers are required to attend annual refresher orientation.
Volunteer will be responsible for assisting guests in understanding the animals within our Estuary Encounter Marine Life Exhibit.
Individuals must meet these qualifications and interview with the Volunteer Specialist and the Aquarist before being considered for shadowing/training.
- Volunteer must have interest in aquatic life with focus on invertebrates.
- Must be comfortable speaking to the public in a formal and non- formal environment.
- Comfort handling a variety of sea animals including crabs, while speaking to Learning center guests.
- Have good observation skills with the ability to communicate both orally and written.
Facilities
Volunteer
Facilities volunteers are encouraged to provide weekly commitment of 4 hours; any weekday from 8 am to 12 pm or 12:30 pm to 4 pm
Some tasks include:
Handyman – interior and exterior
Maintenance of vehicles, boats and buildings
Gardening skills are helpful, but not necessary
Visitor
Services
A weekly commitment of 4 hours on a specific day; from 10 am to 2 pm, Monday through Friday (Saturday during season).
Description of Duties: Volunteer greets visitors as they enter our Learning Center.
*Learning is an ongoing process and all volunteers are required to attend annual training.*
Tasks include:
Making guests feel welcome
Inquiring how they heard about the Center
Letting the visitor know what programs are going on that day or week
Orienting guests to the Learning Center and Rookery Bay Reserve
Interpreting the map of Rookery Bay Reserve for guests
Grounds
Keeper
Biweekly, flexible days & hours. 2 – 3 hours shift any day Monday – Friday, between 8:00 and 4:00 pm
Description of Duties:
Volunteer is responsible for minor maintenance of the grounds around the Environmental Learning Center and parking area. Specific duties include:
- Leaf blow walkways, bridges and around buildings
- Trim and prune shrubs along walks
- Pick-up downed fronds and tree branches, dispose of properly
- Exotic removal
Special
Events
A commitment of 2 to 4 hours before, during, and/or after our Special Events
REQUIREMENTS:
- Set-up/break-down event venue, including tables, tents, etc.
- Assist with special event activities including registration, customer service, crafts, etc.
- Attendance at pre-event briefing meeting, if applicable
Team
OCEAN
Team OCEAN is primarily a boat-based volunteer program at Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve (RBNERR) dedicated to serving the needs of the reserve in whatever capacity that best helps the Reserve achieve its mission statement and goals. Its main objective is to provide information and interpretation to ensure that visitors to Rookery Bay Research Reserve enjoy the Reserve by using its resources responsibly.
Volunteers should be prepared to spend several hours outside in varying weather conditions, including hot sun, often working independently of Rookery Bay staff. They should, therefore, be reasonably fit and highly reliable and responsible.
- Complete Volunteer Application on website
- Attend Orientation by the Volunteer Coordinator at the Learning Center
- Complete the Certified Docent Training Check list and spend additional time becoming familiar with Rookery Bay Reserve, coastal environments, and Keewaydin Island.
To become a Team Ocean volunteer, individuals must:
- Successfully complete a State of Florida recognized Boating Safety Course or USCG Auxiliary Boating Skills and Seamanship Course
- Have or become certified in CPR/First Aid within 60 days of start date
- All crew members must participate in a Suddenly In Command Training when offered
- Schedule and pass an interview with the Team OCEAN Coordinator
- For volunteers wishing to operate boats, additional training, and demonstration of skills to Rookery Bay staff is required.
- Minimum age to volunteer for Team Ocean is 18
- Represent Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve to the public
- Understand the purpose, general history, and core activities of Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve
- Access areas within Rookery Bay Reserve via boat and on foot
- Greet visitors and inform them that they are in Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve
- Provide friendly information about best practices to boaters and beach goers
- Serve as a steward of the Reserve
- Pick up litter along the walking route and dispose of in proper receptacles (trash and recycling)
- Repair nesting bird postings and maintain crossover walks on Keewaydin Island
- Record and report information to assist staff in proper management of Rookery Bay Reserve
- Follow proper procedures for safe operation and use of Rookery Bay’s boats, facilities, and equipment.
- Knowledge of Rookery Bay Reserve natural history and local issues
- Friendly attitude and strong oral communication skills for engaging visitors in conversation, answering questions, and offering information
- Experience operating boats (for those wishing to be boat operators)
- Completion of training requirements as outlined
Fisheries Research
Help our fisheries biologist collect samples with a trawl net each month in Naples Bay, Rookery Bay or the Ten Thousand Islands. Volunteers will help sort, identify, count and measure relevant fish and shellfish before returning them to the estuary.
Interested persons are expected to complete a volunteer application and attend a new volunteer orientation. Entering volunteer hours is required as per instructions from the Volunteer Coordinator. Once this is completed you will be placed on the fisheries research volunteer list and will receive emails with available dates that are set months in advance. Volunteers must respond to requests for assistance quickly in order to secure a seat on the boat.
- Volunteers will receive training on safe handling of the net, proper handling of fish and crabs and identification.
- Volunteers must be prepared to spend up to eight hours on the boat: come dressed for field work with non-slip, closed-toed shoes to protect feet from heavy gear and supply their own food and water.
- Volunteers will work hard while surrounded by natural beauty and sometimes mosquitoes.Volunteers will learn about fish and invertebrates, including many that are important to the local economy, and how they are affected by altered freshwater flows across the landscape. Learn more about this assessment program.
Outreach
