Volunteer
VOLUNTEER COMMUNITY SERVICE DAY
At our organization, we strive for excellence in everything we do. We expect nothing less than complete dedication and focus from our volunteers. But in return, we offer an unparalleled opportunity to unlock your full potential and creativity.
Volunteers are encouraged to work in the habitat with us on the 2nd Saturday of each month from the hours 9:00 am to 11:00 am.
Additionally, we are seeking organizations who can provide in-kind services to help us defray the costs of managing and maintaining our nature center. Your support will enable us to continue providing vital educational programs, protect our natural resources, and ensure that our community has access to the beauty and wonder of nature.
Make sure to wear closed-toed shoes. Bring your own work gloves. Tools will be provided. You may want to wear a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, and long sleeves/pants for protection. Bring a water bottle so that you stay hydrated for the 2 hours of volunteering. We have a water refill station onsite for your convenience. Safety is important. We appreciate your time!
Please note that volunteers must be 14 years of age or older. Persons under 14 years of age must be accompanied by a responsible adult. All volunteers are required to complete and sign an application. You may start the process now by filling in the on-line Volunteer Application and bring the completed application with you. Or you may complete an application the day of the event.
Please send your request or questions to info@shipleynature.org
View Fact Sheet – Volunteer Tasks
VOLUNTEER FORMS
Volunteer Application 2019 Fillable Form
Volunteers Age 18 and Under Hold Harmless Form
group-volunteer-application-09-17-16-fillable-form
You may bring the completed application when you arrive, or email it to info@shipleynature.org. We look forward to meeting you and appreciate your interest in helping us provide nature education and encourage stewardship in this very urbanized part of Southern California.
We greatly appreciate the energy and enthusiasm of our youth.
Habitat Maintenance
A morning spent outdoors in nature is exhilarating and fun. If you can join us on a regular basis, you may find your place in maintaining the habitat and trails. We are on the grounds with our volunteers Monday thru Fridays, 9:00 a.m. through noon. We will provide training for pruning, planting, and irrigation of California native plants. We will require a day and time commitment from our volunteers. Please call ahead to sign-up at (714) 842-4772.
Nursery
The Shipley Nursery Volunteers propagate native plants from cuttings, tend the plants for sale and help with plant sales. Seeking individuals interested in learning about propagation and general care of California Native plants, weeding. If you have knowledge of California Native plants currently and like to share your talents and information, you are very welcome. Currently the volunteer days are 9am – 11 am on Tuesdays and Fridays. Additional hours and days will be added in the future. They also help maintain the native plant and butterfly gardens across from the stream. The major native plant sale is held the last Saturday in September and kicks off the winter planting season for natives. Plants are available for sale throughout the year with sales being a major source of funds for Shipley Nature Center.
Composting
Volunteers manage the Compost Center and may be found at work most Friday mornings from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.. They also assist with seminars typically held on Saturdays four times per year.
Bird Surveys
We invite you to spend the morning with fellow nature enthusiasts and participate in our monthly bird survey held on the last Friday of each month. See seasonal schedule below. No experience is necessary. To sign up, email info@shipleynature.org.
March through October
begins at 8:00 a.m. and ends at 10:00 a.m.
November through February,
begins at 9:00 a.m. and ends at 11:00 a.m.
Visitor Services
Are you a cheerful person willing to greet visitors? Can you count the number of visitors, relay any activities happening that day, answer common questions, and hand out trail guides and scavenger hunts? Visitor service volunteers are stationed at the front of the park at our welcome table, under shade umbrellas and with provided seating. We will train any volunteers and provide a Q+A guide for common questions that visitors ask. Currently part of the reason the park is not open more days of the week is because we require volunteers to staff the park when it is open. We prefer to have two volunteers at a time to greet and assist visitors during park hours, for safety and maintenance concerns. For consistency, we prefer volunteers to commit to at least one specific day a month for four hours, though two hours is also acceptable. Consistent days help us plan out if we’ll be able to open more days in the future. We are currently only open Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays, from 9 am to 1 pm.
Kids Activity Leaders
Lead activities for kids of all ages, Crafts, reading a book, playing an interactive game, explore the trails, talks about composting in general, worm composting and much more. We will train. Current volunteer days and times are Saturdays 9 am – 1 pm. Volunteer the number of hours you are comfortable with, anywhere from 2 hours to 4 hours. Volunteer the number of hours you are comfortable with, anywhere from 2 hours to 4 hours. Volunteer to fit your schedule, but let us know in advance.
Board Member
Calling all nature lovers and philanthropists! The Friends of Shipley Nature Center is seeking passionate dynamic individuals to join our board and help us continue our mission of maintaining and operating the nature center. As a board member, you will have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on our community through your expertise and dedication. Join us in our efforts to preserve and protect Shipley Nature Center for future generations. Contact us today to learn more about how you can get involved. Please send your name, email address and phone number to info@shipleynature.org.
Docent Program
Shipley Nature Center is seeking docents to offer tours, represent Shipley at events, or host Saturdays at Shipley. Docents will be trained by our staff and will shadow our current tours, although tour guides may offer a different emphasis depending on their knowledge and experience (for example, one tour guide may talk more on the history of indigenous people in the region, while another might focus more on botanical information.)
We are looking for people eager to engage with guests and provide accurate and consistent information. Volunteer days and times are currently are scheduled to Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays, 9 am – 1 pm, although occasionally private tours are requested on off days. Please state your availability, and we will work with you.
The Docent handbook for volunteers of FSNC will provide you with a complete guide on relevant information, including the history of Shipley, native plant habitats, restoration efforts, animal and birds found in the nature center, and our educational programs. This is a good way to become familiar with everything Shipley offers the community in terms of history, preservation, and education.
