Become an ESC volunteer!
Volunteering is a great way to learn more about our local environment, build skills, and connect to the community. ESC is looking for enthusiastic people to join our team to help spread our mission of environmental stewardship. We welcome all those interested in engaging and fostering community participation in environmental stewardship. Take a look at our volunteer opportunities and fill out an application today!
Volunteer Opportunities
Public Programs Volunteer
Assist with our public programs including beach walks, toddler programming, clean up events, bird walks, family water quality field trips, festivals, and more! Volunteers help foster connections between our community and the watershed we all call home. By engaging beach-goers, leading hands-on activities, and teaching community members about stewardship actions, ESC volunteers take strides to protect our local environments. Volunteers must be at least 15 years old, or 13 with an adult present, pass a background check, and be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. We ask volunteers to assist with one public program per fiscal year.
See our Public Programs page for a list of possible volunteer opportunities!
School Programs Volunteer
Assist with our Salmon Heroes field trip (Sept-Dec), Beach Heroes field trip (March-June), and other out-of-school lessons. Salmon Hero volunteers raise awareness of salmon and what we can do to protect through a series of field trips for local 4th-8th graders. Beach Heroes volunteers showcase the intertidal biodiversity and stewardship actions for K-3rd graders. Out-of-school volunteers assist with outdoor, environmental education lessons for elementary and middle school after school clubs, recreational clubs, and local summer camps. Volunteers must be at least 16 years old, have reliable transportation, pass a background check, and be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Volunteer commitment varies with school program, but must be able to attend all training.
See our School Programs page for more information these programs!
Administration/Facilities Volunteer
Assist ESC programs by ensuring the learning center stays in tip-top shape, document programs by taking pictures and videos, contribute to file maintenance projects, and support behind the scenes during programs. Volunteers can contribute to ESC success in a variety of roles and projects that do not directly interact with the public if you would rather use a different skillset. Past projects have included uploading student assessment data for grant tracking, program material prepping, landscaping around the center, invasive species removal, and more. Volunteers must be at least 15 years old, or 13 with an adult present, pass a background check, and be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Volunteer commitment varies with assigned projects, but there is no minimum volunteer requirement.
ESC Board Member
Take a leadership role in helping to determine our path as an organization by joining our Board of Directors. Board members serve on different committees to shape our operational plan and grow support for ESC. Volunteering at public events and representing ESC at community programs are ways that our board members contribute beyond their normal duties. Board members are asked to commit to two evening meetings a month.
See our Board Member page for more information!
Upcoming Volunteer Orientations
For Spring 2024! Sign up to learn more about our volunteer opportunities, requirements, and all things Environmental Science Center at our one of our upcoming online orientations! ESC onboards volunteers twice a year: once in the fall and once in the spring.
REQUIRED FOR ALL NEW AND PROSPECTIVE ESC VOLUNTEERS.
APPLY TO VOLUNTEER:
If you are 18 years or older, please fill out our Volunteer Application Form. We will review your application and our areas of need to see if we can help each other. You’ll be contacted by our Community Engagement Manager to further discuss current options and future pathways. Note: we only accept new volunteers in the spring and fall when we host our New Volunteer Orientations.
If you are under 18, please contact us to mail you an application that you and your caretaker will sign. Or, print and fill out the downloadable youth form. You can email back your pages (phone photos are fine) with “ESC youth volunteer” in the subject line to Katy@EnvironmentalScienceCenter.org.
Call 206-248-4266 or email Katy@EnvironmentalScienceCenter.org with questions.
For more information
For questions or more information about volunteering, please email our Community Engagement Manager at Katy@EnvironmentalScienceCenter.org or call 206-248-4266.