At the Seward Park Audubon Center, the role of a Volunteer Naturalist extends past that of a person who is knowledgeable about the natural world. You are a conservation advocate, a nature enthusiast, a teacher, a storyteller, and a community leader. 

Volunteer Naturalists help local families, children, and adults cultivate wonder in nature through outdoor exploration, science, and play. You will also learn about local ecology and interpretive techniques that will serve you for a lifetime. Ultimately, we are seeking volunteers who love people, provide great customer service, and find a soulful reward in sharing their passion for natural wonder with our community.

If interested in volunteering, please fill out our volunteer application or contact Thuy Luu, our Center Assistant for more information at thuy.luu@audubon.org or 206-652-2444.
 

Roles:

Center Docent

What you’ll do: Empower Audubon Center visitors with information about Audubon, the park, and the surrounding community while assisting with shop purchases and other operations.

Requisites: No experience necessary. Background check required.

Schedule: Varies; Generally Wednesday through Sunday; between 9:30 AM and 5:00 PM in 2-4 hour shifts.

Assistant Naturalist

What you’ll do: Assist Lead Naturalists with signing in guests, setting up and cleaning up, guiding guests on trail, and answering guest questions.

Requisites: No experience necessary

Schedule: Varies; Generally on Friday nights (Owl Prowls) Thursday nights (Bat Treks) and Saturdays between 8:30 AM and 3:00 PM

Restoration Crew Lead

What you’ll do: Assist with community events in urban forestry; Teach volunteers about restoration practices, basic plant identification, tool safety

Requisites: Participate in a minimum of 2 restoration events; CPR/First Aid certification preferred

Schedule: Restoration events occur about once a month on Saturdays from 10 :00AM—12:00 PM. Crew leads arrive 30 minutes prior to the event and stay 15 minutes afterwards to help put tools away; year round.

Assist/ Teach Early Childhood Programs

What you’ll do: Lead one or both of the early childhood programs, Talking Tree or Toddler Trails and Tales. These programs are designed to connect young children with nature. Talking Tree program teaches young students about the importance of trees in their lives. Toddler Trails and Tales is a parent child nature exploration course that cultivates children’s sensory awareness, curiosity and wonder in nature and teaches parents skills as a guide through a series of tiny trips in Seward Park.  

Requisites:  Participate in a minimum of 2 programs; experience teaching young children preferred. Background check required.

Schedule: Generally Wednesdays 10am-11am and Saturdays 10am-11am, year round