• Opportunities
• Testimonials from Volunteers
• Become a Volunteer

Volunteering is a worthwhile and rewarding way to contribute to the nature preservation, education and research programs of Audubon Canyon Ranch. Audubon Canyon Ranch has over 800 active volunteers. Volunteer opportunities vary in experience and training required, as well as the necessary time commitment.

Opportunities:

Ranch Guide Training
Bolinas Lagoon Preserve
For nature lovers, birders and friendly folks!
Bolinas Lagoon Preserve Ranch Guides are volunteers who provide information to visitors about the preserve and its many unique natural features while the preserve is open to the public from mid-March through mid-July. Volunteer times are on weekends and holidays and are flexible.

The next volunteer training program begins in January 2010.
This eight-Saturday program prepares volunteers to share knowledge and appreciation of nature with Bolinas Lagoon Preserve visitors during weekends. Learn about Audubon Canyon Ranch human and natural history, trail teaching techniques, pond life and the historical herons and egrets nesting colony.
Saturdays ~ January 30 - March 20, 2010 ~ (Orientation: January 23, 2010) Interested? Email rsvp@egret.org or call 415.868.9244!

Docent
Bouverie Preserve
Audubon Canyon Ranch's volunteer docent training at the Bouverie Preserve is offered once every two years and is currently underway. Applications for the next docent training - which will begin in August 2011 - are accepted on an ongoing basis.

The Docent Training Program of ACR's Bouverie Preserve will immerse you in the fascinating world of natural history. The program emphasizes indigenous species and covers a broad spectrum of topics including birds, amphibians, reptiles, mammals, spiders, and insects, as well as flowering and non-flowering plants. Classes consist of lectures, audio-visual presentations, and laboratory/field work. All classes, but one, take place at the Preserve every Wednesday for 23 weeks from the end of August through February, with a break for the holidays. Classes meet from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

After graduation, trained Docents bring the curriculum of Audubon Canyon Ranch into the classroom of 3rd and 4th graders throughout the North Bay Area during the spring and fall. Then they lead groups of students on nature walks at the Bouverie Preserve. Docents often inspire a life-long love and appreciation of nature in the children they meet.

Docent
Bolinas Lagoon Preserve
Through the Bolinas Lagoon Preserves docent training course, you will learn about the natural history and environment of coastal Marin. The 23 classes cover many topics, from banana slugs to Great Blue Herons to the ecology of redwoods, all taught by experts in their fields of study and run by experienced docents who know how to make the classes fascinating and fun. Classes consist of lectures, audio-visual presentations, and laboratory/field work. Upon completion of training, ACR Docents visit 4th and 5th grade classes and lead groups students on nature walks at the Bolinas Lagoon Preserve during the spring and fall. ACR Docents often inspire a life-long love and appreciation of nature in the children they meet.

The next training will begin in Sept 2010.

Ranch Host
Bolinas Lagoon Preserve
Ranch Hosts greet and orient visitors as they arrive at Bolinas Lagoon Preserve. There is no training or experience necessary. Ranch Hosts also volunteer during the weekend or on holidays during the spring and early summer. For more information or to sign up, call 415/868-9244 or contact acr@egret.org

Work Days
Bolinas Lagoon Preserve & Bouverie Preserve
Clearing trails, pulling invasive plants, working in the library and/or doing light construction are fun and effective ways to volunteer if your time is limited to one or two days a year. You help do the work and we provide a lunch. See the events section for upcoming dates, or contact Bolinas Lagoon Preserve 415-868-9244 or acr@egret.org, or Bouverie Preserve 707-938-4554 or nancy@egret.org for more information.

North Bay Heron and Egret Project
Volunteers needed now!! Come join this dedicated group of volunteer field observers who track heron and egret nesting sites throughout the North Bay. Your work will help protect nesting herons and egrets and is a source of information for scientists and researchers, land developers, planning agencies, birding enthusiasts and local residents. This long term research project is conducted throughout five north bay counties to assess changes in colony size, location and reproductive success of Great Blue Herons, Great Egrets, Snowy Egrets, Black-crowned Night Herons and other species found in mixed colonies. To become a trained field observer, call 415-663-8203 or email cgrc@egret.org. For more information on the Heron and Egret Project, click here.

Shorebird and Waterbird Monitoring on Tomales Bay
Each year ACR scientists census shorebirds and waterbirds on Tomales Bay with the help of dedicated volunteers. Join us as we collect data on these bird populations from boats and from the shores of beautiful Tomales Bay. Volunteers should have excellent birding skills and be able to identify birds in flight and from a distance. Contact the Cypress Grove Research Center at 415/663-8203 or cgrc@egret.org for more information.

Habitat Protection and Restoration work days
HPR work days take place on ACR preserves through the year. Check here for upcoming work days.
January 23, 2010. Download pdf for more info
February 13, 2010. Download pdf for more info

Habitat Protection and Restoration Volunteers
Bouverie Preserve
Bouverie Stewards work intimately with the land throughout the year at the Bouverie Preserve in Glen Ellen. This dedicated crew assists with all sorts of habitat protection and restoration work, while learning about the ecology behind the project. Some examples of projects include: removing Douglas Fir seedlings and saplings from areas of the preserve; installing fence in the pasture before cattle arrive; removing invasive species such as yellow star thistle and Himalayan blackberry; using GPS units to map invasive species; collecting seeds of native species; propagating native species in the greenhouse.

Bouverie Stewards meet every Monday throughout the year; however, individual members may come when they are able. We welcome volunteers who can join the group at least once a month.

Call 707/935-8417 or e-mail Bouverie HPR Project Leader Jennifer Potts at jpotts@egret.org

Habitat Protection and Restoration Volunteers
Bolinas Lagoon Preserve's Volunteer Canyon
Thursdays, 9 am - 12 pm

The Habitat Protection and Restoration team is looking for volunteers to help with ecological restoration throughout the Four Canyons of Bolinas Lagoon Preserve. Activities include collecting seed, propagating native plants, preparing project sites, out-planting and ensuring survival of plants, and renovating facilities.

Call 415/868-9244 or e-mail Daniel Gluesenkamp at daniel@gluesenkamp.com