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Local volunteers may come everyday, once a week or only for a special event. Day(s), hours, and specific tasks are arranged with each volunteer, and work may take place at the headquarters area or on any of the refuges in the complex. Many of the things the refuges do would not happen if it were not for this corps of volunteers. They help us restore and maintain Bayou Gardens, run the Visitor Center, assist with educational programs, develop and maintain boardwalks and trails, do clerical tasks, assist with biological field work, and support special events (i.e. Wild Things, food booth at Crab Cook-off Festival, Beach Sweep, etc.). Some volunteers work independently and alone while others choose to participate in group events. The Friends regularly sponsor group events called Work-Play Days which include three hours of work followed by a free lunch and a canoe adventure on the Bayou.
Environmental education internship opportunities at Southeast Louisiana Refuges are full-time seasonal positions, usually in spring or fall. Interns in these positions conduct front-line interpretation and educational programs and assist with other aspects of the visitor services program on the refuges, such as festivals and special events. Public tours including canoe trips, hikes and bird watching trips are offered to the general public on the weekends. School groups and other groups such as scouts fill up most of the weekday dates. Established programs teach students about wetland and forest ecology and wildlife and fire management. Housing may be available for these positions, and they are a great way to explore career opportunities with USFWS.
RV Volunteers live at the refuge headquarters “RV Park” and commit to work 24 hours per person per week for couples or 32 hours per week for individuals, for a minimum of thirty days. This is a wonderful way to experience what Southeast Louisiana Refuges is all about. It is only open to those volunteer candidates who own their own self-contained recreational vehicle. In exchange for their services, the refuge provides a full RV hook-up plus garbage service and laundry facilities. Volunteer tasks include; carpentry for nest box and interpretive display construction and installation, grounds and garden maintenance, litter control, habitat restoration, environmental education, visitor center operation, administrative assistance, boardwalk repair, boardwalk construction, wildlife monitoring, wildlife surveys, leading weekend tours and planning and staffing special events.
For a volunteer application or more information contact:
Jody DeMeyere at 985-882-2024 (email her at Jody_DeMeyere@fws.gov)
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