How Do I Volunteer?

On-Site Docent Volunteer: A Docent volunteer is often the first person a new customer or program participant meets or speaks with. Volunteers in this role are vital to Birds Connect Seattle’s ability to be an open and welcoming organization. Skills desired: Guiding public through the Birds Connect Seattle space and exhibits; assistance with bird-and nature-related issues, including familiarity with Birds Connect Seattle’s conservation work and positions; comfortable with and/or ready to learn computer and point of sale systems. Time commitment: After training, most docent volunteers have a recurring shift of 3.5 hours each week. Other volunteers may serve on an as-needed basis. A minimum commitment of three months is requested.

Community Engagement Volunteering: Community Engagement volunteers participate in various community events (science nights, tabling opportunities at local events, etc.) with the aim to share Birds Connect Seattle’s work with the larger community. Commitment varies, depending upon event and availability of volunteer.

Field Trip/Neighborhood Bird Outing Leader: Outing leaders plan and lead outings that enable attendees with varying birding experience (no experience to lots of experience) to feel welcome, supported, and excited to see and hear birds in local parks and green spaces. Outing leaders are a caring, thoughtful group of people who genuinely enjoy sharing birds, nature, and conservation with others. The distinction between field trips and NBOs is that participants must pre-register for a field trip and there is a set participant limit, whereas there is no pre-registration for NBOs and group size will vary. Time commitment: 0-8 hours per month, depending on how many outings the leader chooses to organize.

Presentation/speaker: Share Birds Connect Seattle’s conservation message along with information about urban birds to various community groups requesting a speaker. (Common groups include gardening clubs, senior centers, scout groups, etc.) Time commitment: Speaking engagements are usually 60-90 minutes each, located across Birds Connect Seattle’s service area.

Blog Writer: Got something to say about birds or our conservation mission? Write a piece for our website, reaching thousands per day. Skills desired: Writing, critical thinking, enthusiasm for birds and/or conservation. Time commitment: Per project.

General Administrative Support: We always can use ad hoc volunteer support with papercutting, printing, folding, scanning, filing, and labeling. Make yourself available for when needs arise, we can reach out. Time commitment: ad hoc, 2-3 hours per project.

Mailing Volunteer: Support by gathering to fold, label, and send out materials that spread the word about Birds Connect Seattle. Time commitment: ad hoc, 2-3 hours per project.

Science and e-bird Data Entry: Volunteers transcribe data from paper datasheets into the online database. This work can be done from the Birds Connect Seattle office or from an off-site location. Time commitment: 1-10 per month.

Board Member: Steer the ship. Lead the organization as a member of the Board of Directors, its governing body, responsible for strategy, oversight, and accountability. Read our full position description. 

NextGen Advisory Council: Councilmembers advise Birds Connect Seattle staff on engagement of younger, more diverse audiences. Councilmembers also work together to organize events specifically for young adults in the community who are interested in birds and nature. Time commitment: 1.5-3 hours per month.

Classes Committee: Committee meets quarterly for 1-1.5 hours. Members of the classes committee work with class instructors to schedule class sessions, develop classes that appeal to our students, and support instructors and students during online and in-person classes. No prior education or bird expertise needed, but a desire to work with diverse instructors and students, and to provide top-notch customer service is a must. Time commitment 0 to 10 hours per month, depending on the number of classes a volunteer chooses to support. Committee meets quarterly for 1-1.5 hours.

Conservation Committee: Our Conservation Committee plays an important role in ensuring Birds Connect Seattle has the resources and capacity necessary to achieve our urban conservation goals, which include, understanding and preventing bird-window collisions; reducing use of toxic rat poison; and protecting and enhancing our urban forest. Time commitment: Committee meets monthly for 1.5 via Zoom. Members can expect to spend approximately 2-5 hours each month on committee business.

Development Committee: You can help grow our financial resources by providing your knowledge of fundraising activities including donor stewardship, solicitation, and more, as part of our Development Committee. Meetings are bi-weekly for 1 hour with occasional additional hours. Time commitment: 2-3 hours per month.

Field Trips and Outings Committee: Committee members work with trip leaders to plan and schedule field trips and neighborhood bird walks, and members may opt into other activities such as attending prospective leader information sessions and trainings, and shadowing leaders during trips. No prior education or bird expertise needed, but a desire to work with both new and experienced leaders to ensure trips are welcoming and safe is a must. Time commitment: 1-2 hours per month. Committee meets quarterly for 1-1.5 hours.

Finance Committee Member: Steward our financial resources. Provide recommendations to the Board of Directors and staff regarding the organization’s finances to support the mission. Skills desired: Background in finance and/or accounting. Time commitment: 4-8 hours per month.

Martin Miller Special Habitat Selection Committee: Grant money to protect habitat. Establish criteria for and recommend distribution of earnings from the Martin Miller Wildlife Sanctuary Fund. Skills desired: Special expertise in evaluating habitat projects. Time: 10-20 hours annually.

Nature Camp Junior Naturalist: Junior Naturalists are high school students who assist and are mentored by adult Naturalists in day-to-day tasks at Birds Connect Seattle’s summer Nature Camp. The Junior Naturalist program offers teens in grades 10-12 a chance to earn service learning credits required for graduation, while building leadership and teaching skills. Select paid internship opportunities are also available. Junior Naturalists are required to attend a half-day training with the adult Naturalists, where teens learn how to interact with children, lead games and activities, risk management techniques, and appropriate behavior in a professional setting. Learn more about Nature Camp.

Young Birders: Young Birders is Birds Connect Seattle’s afterschool program for teens. Teens meet monthly for in-field birding and community science, learn about career pathways in conservation, and have fun with friends and learning about birds. 

Does your employer have a Matching Funds Program for your volunteer service in the community?
Employer matching gift programs are an easy way to instantly increase the impact of your gift of volunteer time to Birds Connect Seattle.  Please contact your employer’s human resources department to find out if your volunteer hours are matched.  Contact the Development Department at (206) 523-8243 x 105 to complete the process.