VOLUNTEER

Southeastern Natural Sciences Academy continues to need a strong volunteer base to assist in the operations of the Nature Park and our various education, research and outreach programs. In addition to helping with Nature Park field trips, volunteers can assist with office projects such as mailings, data processing, answering phones and responding to general inquiries. Over the next several years, volunteers can help maintain boardwalks, trails and demonstration gardens/wetlands, conduct ecological surveys, and assist with renovation projects, to name just a few of our many opportunities.

The Southeastern Natural Sciences Academy is fortunate to have nearly 100 active volunteers. Many of our opportunities are appropriate for volunteers of all ages and activities that are something the whole family can accomplish together. Some volunteer needs include:

Volunteer Educator
Volunteer Educators assist in K-12 Nature Park field trips (weekdays). Volunteers will be trained by Academy Education staff.

Swamp Saturday Volunteer
Swamp Saturday volunteers lead Phinizy Swamp Nature Park hikes the first Saturday of each month at Phinizy Swamp Nature Park. Volunteers will be trained by Academy Education staff.

Loan Box Courier
The Academy loans out educational materials to complement our field trips. Loan box couriers deliver these boxes to nearby schools.

Field Trip Supervisors
These volunteers supervise children as they wait for a scheduled field trip. You may run an educational video, hand out activities, and direct students to our staff. This indoor opportunity does not involve teaching a class.

Phinizy Patrol
These volunteers will evaluate the condition of the trails, count visitors, pick up trash, and inform us of any noteworthy events at the park.

Birthday Party Host
Occasionally, we need help with this exciting children’s event. Individuals trained as Swamp Saturday or Volunteer Educators are needed to lead nature hikes or demonstrate a hands-on program at the beginning or end of birthday party events at the park.

Research Volunteer
Research volunteers help Academy staff process and catalogue macroinvertebrate and algae samples, maintain reference collections, and collect notes on wetland research projects.

Visitors’ Center Volunteer
These volunteers will answer general questions, sell merchandise, and hand out literature about Phinizy Swamp Nature Park. Visitor Center volunteers participate in a 1 1/2 hour training session before working a shift.

Public Outreach
Public Outreach volunteers represent the Academy in the community at various events. They answer general questions about the Academy and the Nature Park, and they may conduct simple activities with event patrons. These volunteers may attend the Swampmobile for various events. (Academy staff will set up.)

Special Events Volunteer
These volunteers register patrons at Academy special events. They make sure all patrons have filled out liability forms, and they collect event fees as necessary.

Special Events Hike Leader
Swamp Saturday and Volunteer Educator trained volunteers are needed to lead hikes for various Academy special events.

Office Assistance
These volunteers assist in the Academy office answering phones, stuffing envelopes, proofreading, and cataloging Academy newspaper articles.

Photography Volunteer
We are looking for a corps of photography buffs to take photos at various Academy events, as their schedule permits. Volunteer must provide camera. The photos will be used for Academy publicity, and photo credit will be given, if requested.

As an Academy volunteer, you will enjoy the camaraderie of others with the same interests, an introduction or a closer look at the Academy's programs and Nature Park and gain a better understanding of our natural resources. You will also know that you played a part in developing Augusta's first urban nature park for the enjoyment of future generations.

Volunteer Educator Opportunities

If you enjoy hiking through the woods, but wish you knew more about your surroundings, then becoming a volunteer educator may be just the "job" for you! There is no better way to learn about nature than to spend time leading enthusiastic groups through natural areas. No prior experience is necessary to become a volunteer educator and, as explained below, training is relatively simple!

The Academy offers opportunities for volunteers to lead either weekday nature hikes / activities for schoolchildren or weekend public nature hikes (Swamp Saturday tours) for all ages -- and some volunteers do both! Training to become a weekday volunteer educator requires a day-long training session, with occasional, supplemental sessions on more specific activities. A period of "shadowing" experienced field trip leaders will also be included. Training to become a weekend Swamp Saturday volunteer educator requires a half-day training session followed by at least one "shadowing" session. If training sessions are inconvenient for your schedule, we will teach you "on the job." For volunteers who are tentative about actually leading a field trip, there are also assistant opportunities for weekday school programs.

Becoming a volunteer educator is easy and gratifying -- print out an application form below, or e-mail us with additional questions!

Volunteer form

Questions or comments? Contact us!