Volunteer Opportunities January 2023

Field Trips: Bringing People to the Birds

Self-Guided Field Trip Writers

Do you have a favorite birding place that would make a great self-guided field trip? We are looking for more submissions. This task does not require any technical skills besides email, it only requires a love of your location and basic birding knowledge. We will make the maps for you, collect any bird photos you need, and even take the location photos. 

In particular, we are looking for new guides on Agnews Historic Park, Pacheco State Park, Sanborn County Park (main entrance), Rancho Cañada del Oro or any location we haven’t covered yet. 

Please contact Eve Meier at fieldtrips@scvas.org for more information. 

Required: SCVAS member


Education Docents: Engaged in the environment 

Do you love nature? Do you have experience with students or a passion for sharing an appreciation for the environment? We're looking for docents to be available on weekday mornings to volunteer in schools and lead field trips for the Wetlands Discovery Program. Volunteers teach students grade 3-5 about local wetlands, adaptations, and migration in the classroom and out in the field in this program, all while sharing their love of local birds. Minimal birding and education experience required. All volunteers must be fingerprinted, submit proof of a negative TB test, and submit a county vaccination record. 

Fill out this form with interest. New volunteers will be shadowing experienced docents beginning in March. Training walks will be held in January and February.


Outreach: Share the love (of birds)

SCVAS periodically hosts informational tables at community events and with other conservation organizations. Spend a couple hours of your time to help these SCVAS outreach events and share your love of birds with other people! SCVAS periodically hosts informational tables at community events and with other conservation organizations. Spend a couple hours of your time to help these SCVAS outreach events and share your love of birds with other people! Events include partnerships with Veggielution, Keep Coyote Creek Beautiful, Friends of Rengstorff House, and more!

  • Join our email group to easily get updates about these tabling and outreach events here


Nature Shop: Helping feed the birds

SCVAS is looking for reliable volunteers to help run the nature shop on an as-needed basis. Volunteers are responsible for answering basic birding and wildlife related questions for the public over the phone and in person, entering sales in the Nature Shop, filling and cleaning the feeders and bird baths, and helping with the occasional mailing.

Contact April Austin at scvas@scvas.org for further information.