Volunteer Program

Thank you for your interest in volunteering to conserve Florida’s fish and wildlife.  As a volunteer, you can help to further the mission of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC):

Managing fish and wildlife resources for their long-term well-being and the benefit of people.

With increasing pressures on Florida's fish, wildlife, and habitats, we cannot accomplish our mission without your assistance. The FWC benefits from the skills and dedication of our volunteers, and in turn, we strive to offer a fulfilling, meaningful, and satisfying volunteer experience.

You can make a positive impact by assisting with activities such as biological sampling and monitoring, habitat restoration, laboratory work, education and outreach, and many others.

Many of the volunteer opportunities with FWC are listed below. Click on the program links for more information, or click on the e-mail link to contact the program coordinator.

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Volunteer Opportunities

Program: Bear Management Volunteer Program Location: Northwest Region Volunteers are needed to help resolve human-bear conflicts in the Florida Panhandle. Volunteers in this program would help distribute bear information packets, present bear educational programs and/or help build bear proof trashcan caddies. FWC will provide all necessary training. For more information on this program the program coordinator.
Program: Beau Turner Youth Conservation Center Volunteer Program Location: Tallahassee Beau Turner Youth Conservation Center volunteers help with large events, oversee weekend programs, or assist by sharing their knowledge of how to enjoy outdoor activities. For more information on this program the program coordinator.
Program: Chinsegut Nature Center Location: Hernando County, Brooksville, FL 34601 The nature center is located on the 828-acre Chinsegut Wildlife and Environmental area. Volunteer opportunities at the nature center include trail management, invasive exotic plant removal, environmental education, biological monitoring and sampling, and many others. For more information on this program the program coordinator.
Program: Derelict Trap and Trap Debris Removal Program Location: Statewide The Derelict Trap and Trap Debris Removal Program provides a mechanism to authorize volunteer groups to collect derelict traps and trap debris during open or closed seasons. For more information on this program the program coordinator.
Program: Florida Bass Conservation Center Location: Sumter County, Richloam State Fish Hatchery Volunteers can assist biological staff in all aspects of fish culture and center management, including: daily feeding and tank cleaning, stocking activities throughout the state, collecting nutrition or genetic data, grounds and building maintenance, weekend kids fishing events, and mechanical maintenance. For more information on this program the program coordinator.
Program: Freshwater Fisheries Location: Statewide The Division of Fresh Water Fisheries needs volunteers who are willing to share their time, energy and knowledge to help conserve our fisheries resources and to teach others to fish.
Program: Hunter Safety Location: Statewide Florida's hunting heritage depends heavily on thousands of volunteer hours each year. Hunter Safety volunteers teach a variety of courses statewide to the public. Courses include basic hunter safety, advanced archery, and Becoming an Outdoors Woman (BOW).  Contact one of our Hunter Safety Regional Offices for more information.
Program: Kids' Fishing Clinics Location: Statewide Kids' Fishing Clinic volunteers assist FWC with one-day educational events designed to create responsible marine resource stewards by teaching children fundamental saltwater fishing skills and educating them on the vulnerability of Florida's marine ecosystems. For more information on this program the program coordinator.
Program: Marine Fisheries Stock Enhancement Research Location: Port Manatee The Marine Fisheries Stock Enhancement program breeds and rears game fish and mollusks for release into marine waters and evaluates the use of hatchery-reared animals in restoring and managing Florida's coastal fisheries. For more information on this program the program coordinator.
Program: North American Amphibian Monitoring Program Location: Statewide The North American Amphibian Monitoring Program (NAAMP) is an international effort by the U.S. Geological Survey to track changes in frog populations over time.  This program is currently seeking volunteers to monitor routes throughout Florida. For more information on this program the program coordinator.
Program: Project WILD - K-12 Education Programs Location: Statewide Project WILD is an interdisciplinary conservation and environmental education program emphasizing wildlife. The program is designed for educators of kindergarten through 12th grade students.
Program: Red Tide Offshore Monitoring Volunteer Program Location: Florida Gulf Coast Volunteer boat captains sample offshore waters to monitor for potential red tide blooms, as well as track on-going blooms to aid FWC/FWRI researchers in determining red tide levels. Volunteer captains sample at offshore distances of 1, 5, 10, 20, and 30 miles approximately twice a month. For more information on this program the program coordinator.
Program: Reserve Officer Location: Statewide Reserve officers supplement the full time officers patrol activities and assist with community relations and other events.
Program: Ridge Rangers Location: Highlands and Polk Counties Ridge Rangers are a group of dedicated volunteers helping to preserve the last remaining fragments of the Lake Wales Ridge. For more information on this program the program coordinator.
Program: Sport Fishing Education Location: Statewide Pass on the fishing tradition and offer the next generation an opportunity to enjoy healthy sport fish populations. The Division of Freshwater Fisheries Management offers two volunteer instructor training programs that allow you to be a part of handing down the fishing tradition. For more information on this program the program coordinator.
Program: Youth Hunting Program of Florida Location: Statewide Through the combined efforts of resourceful volunteers, the Youth Hunting Program of Florida can provide thousands of safe, educational and memorable hunting experiences. The program is based on volunteer landowners who graciously open their property for youth hunting, and volunteer Huntmasters who plan and facilitate the hunts. For more information on this program the program coordinator.

	Contact Information:
	Jessica Ireland FWC Office of Recreation Services Koger-Marathon Bldg. 2574 Seagate Dr. Tallahassee, FL 32301 Ph: 850-921-1047
	Volunteer News
	Biologists ask public to report spawning horseshoe crabs Volunteering with the FWC helps the environment FWC's Ridge Rangers volunteer 30,000 hours, worth $500,000 Painted Bunting Observer Team needs help from volunteers Surprising results: FWC analyzes its volunteer programs Citizen science volunteers give back with nature as the reward

Other Volunteer Opportunities

The Fish and Wildlife Research Institute (FWRI) is asking the public to report observations of horseshoe crab mating activities in order to help biologists identify nesting beaches around the state. Visit the FWRI Web site to learn more.

The Nature Conservancy's Jay Watch program needs your help! Jay Watch citizen science volunteers assist with monitoring populations of the endemic scrub-jay and scrub vegetation conditions. This data helps land managers determine where prescribed fire is needed for the survival of fire-dependent species like the scrub-jay. Visit the Jay Watch Web site for more information.

The Painted Bunting Observer Team (PBOT) Project at the University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW) needs your assistance! Read the news release to find out more about this volunteer opportunity.

The Florida Shorebird Alliance (FSA) is a statewide partnership of government and non-government organizations committed to advancing shorebird and seabird conservation in Florida through coordinated and collaborative work that helps identify and address important needs with regard to research, management, education, outreach, and public policy. Visit the FSA Web site to learn more.

The Florida Bird Conservation Initiative is a voluntary public-private partnership that seeks to promote the sustainability of native Florida birds and their habitats through coordinated efforts that strategically address critical needs related to conservation planning, delivery of conservation programs, research and monitoring, education and outreach, and public policy. Visit the FBCI Web site to learn about citizen science volunteer opportunities.

Note: Under Florida law, e-mail addresses are public records. If you do not want your e-mail address released in response to a public records request, do not send electronic mail to this entity. Instead use the mailing addresses or phone numbers provided.

All photographs are credited to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC)

State Employees can volunteer under the Governor's Mentoring Program. Visit the Volunteer Florida Foundation or you may contact your Agency's Personnel Office.

Read how Federal Employees can volunteer under the Rules in CPM98.