Volunteer to Make a Difference for Bird Conservation
SFBBO depends on hundreds of volunteers each year to help us conduct our research, share our data, restore habitat, raise money, and educate the community about avian science and bird conservation. Please check our COVID-19 Prevention Policy for Volunteers. SFBBO welcomes everyone to our team. We strongly encourage people of all backgrounds and identities, including but not limited to people of color, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and non-binary people, veterans, parents, and individuals with disabilities, to apply. If you need reasonable accommodation at any point in the application or interview process, please let us know. Please contact kbutler@sfbbo.org to learn more. We are currently looking for volunteers to help with the following programs (please view requirements before applying):
Volunteering in our Science Programs
Colonial Waterbird Nest Monitoring (open to beginners and families): We are seeking volunteers to help monitor colonies of waterbirds during the nesting season. Training in January, one or two days a month commitment through the nesting season (January-August).
Least Tern Monitoring (no experience required): We are accepting applicants to survey Least Tern nests any day of the week, one day per month commitment required during the nesting season (April-August). Classroom training in March and April, field training in April and May. There are also openings to help with remote data entry.
California Gull Nest Survey (no experience required): We are seeking volunteers to help us survey California Gull nests by foot or by kayak in May (one day commitment). Best suited for people who don't mind being around hundreds of gulls.
Avian Disease Prevention Surveys (weekday availability REQUIRED, no weekend opportunities, no previous experience required): We are seeking volunteers to help survey South Bay sloughs by boat to find sick, injured, or dead birds to prevent the spread of avian botulism and other diseases (June-November).
Phalarope Surveys (previous experience ID skills REQUIRED): We are accepting applicants who have excellent independent phalarope identification skills to join our team of volunteers in our phalarope survey program. Commitment of one or more Tuesday mornings during the season (July-September) required.
Shorebird Survey (previous experience REQUIRED): We are accepting applicants who have excellent independent shorebird ID skills to help survey shorebirds during a weekday event in November or December.
Tidal Marsh Habitat Restoration (no experience REQUIRED): We are seeking individual and groups volunteers to help restore tidal marsh habitat. Please check our upcoming events to look for volunteer work days to improve habitat for wildlife, and subscribe to our e-newsletter to get updates on volunteer openings.
Bird Banding at the Coyote Creek Field Station (previous experience REQUIRED): We do not currently have any openings for volunteer bird banding, but we invite you to join the wait list if you are interested. Wait times are currently longer than one year.
Least Tern Monitoring (no experience required): We are accepting applicants to survey Least Tern nests any day of the week, one day per month commitment required during the nesting season (April-August). Classroom training in March and April, field training in April and May. There are also openings to help with remote data entry.
California Gull Nest Survey (no experience required): We are seeking volunteers to help us survey California Gull nests by foot or by kayak in May (one day commitment). Best suited for people who don't mind being around hundreds of gulls.
Avian Disease Prevention Surveys (weekday availability REQUIRED, no weekend opportunities, no previous experience required): We are seeking volunteers to help survey South Bay sloughs by boat to find sick, injured, or dead birds to prevent the spread of avian botulism and other diseases (June-November).
Phalarope Surveys (previous experience ID skills REQUIRED): We are accepting applicants who have excellent independent phalarope identification skills to join our team of volunteers in our phalarope survey program. Commitment of one or more Tuesday mornings during the season (July-September) required.
Shorebird Survey (previous experience REQUIRED): We are accepting applicants who have excellent independent shorebird ID skills to help survey shorebirds during a weekday event in November or December.
Tidal Marsh Habitat Restoration (no experience REQUIRED): We are seeking individual and groups volunteers to help restore tidal marsh habitat. Please check our upcoming events to look for volunteer work days to improve habitat for wildlife, and subscribe to our e-newsletter to get updates on volunteer openings.
Bird Banding at the Coyote Creek Field Station (previous experience REQUIRED): We do not currently have any openings for volunteer bird banding, but we invite you to join the wait list if you are interested. Wait times are currently longer than one year.
Volunteering in our Outreach and Education Programs
Online Content Manager (2-hours per week, 6-month commitment REQUIRED): We are seeking a volunteer to upload content to our website and e-newsletter. Previous experience using Weebly (or similar website software) and MailChimp required.
Social Media Content Manager (2-hours per week, 6-month commitment REQUIRED): We are seeking a volunteer to schedule (and help create) posts on our Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube channels. Previous experience required.
Social Media Influencer (1-hour per week, 6-month commitment REQUIRED): We are seeking a volunteer to build relationships with power users who support our mission to expand our social media reach. Previous experience required.
Auction Item/Experience Solicitor (training available): We are seeking volunteers to canvas the community to solicit donated items and experiences for our fall online silent auction (June-September).
Bird/Nature Walk Leader or Science Talk Speaker (year-round): We are seeking knowledge experts to take people from the community on bird or nature walks or give virtual science talks.
Guest Blogger (excellent writing skills REQUIRED): We are accepting applicants to work with the Communications Director to dig into our old newsletters (40 years!) and develop and write then-and-now stories that highlight our impact.
Community Event Volunteer (no experience required): We are seeking volunteers to staff tables at community events and hand out information about SFBBO to spread the word about our work. Training available.
Video Editor Volunteer (experience REQUIRED): We are accepting applicants to volunteer to edit marketing videos for SFBBO, some opportunity to take videos at events available, too.
Social Media Content Manager (2-hours per week, 6-month commitment REQUIRED): We are seeking a volunteer to schedule (and help create) posts on our Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube channels. Previous experience required.
Social Media Influencer (1-hour per week, 6-month commitment REQUIRED): We are seeking a volunteer to build relationships with power users who support our mission to expand our social media reach. Previous experience required.
Auction Item/Experience Solicitor (training available): We are seeking volunteers to canvas the community to solicit donated items and experiences for our fall online silent auction (June-September).
Bird/Nature Walk Leader or Science Talk Speaker (year-round): We are seeking knowledge experts to take people from the community on bird or nature walks or give virtual science talks.
Guest Blogger (excellent writing skills REQUIRED): We are accepting applicants to work with the Communications Director to dig into our old newsletters (40 years!) and develop and write then-and-now stories that highlight our impact.
Community Event Volunteer (no experience required): We are seeking volunteers to staff tables at community events and hand out information about SFBBO to spread the word about our work. Training available.
Video Editor Volunteer (experience REQUIRED): We are accepting applicants to volunteer to edit marketing videos for SFBBO, some opportunity to take videos at events available, too.