Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge
Northeast Region
 

Get Involved

Seasonal Jobs Volunteer Internships Great Dismal Swamp Coalition

Seasonal Jobs

Beaver lodge Credit: USFWS
Beaver lodge Credit: USFWS

Youth Conservation Corps Summer Jobs

Youth ages 15-18 are encouraged to apply for this unique and fascinating opportunity. The program typically calls for a commitment to a schedule of 40 hours a week for eight weeks in the summer on the refuge. Work includes improving trails, mowing, posting boundary, and other maintenance tasks. Workers also participate in exciting environmental education activities such as going to area museums, learning about management on the refuge such as forestry, biology, law enforcement, and fire management, and visiting other local conservation areas.

Applications will be accepted until May 11, 2012. Return completed application to Great Dismal Swamp NWR, Attn: Deloras Freeman, 3100 Desert Rd, Suffolk, VA 23434. For application form, click here.

 

Volunteer

The Great Dismal Swamp NWR accepts applications for volunteer positions on an ongoing basis.

Refuge volunteers assist refuge staff in a number of ways. Duties are assigned based upon refuge needs, your skills, your availability, and your request. Volunteers assist with special events, with general office duties, with trail maintenance projects, with biological surveys, and iwth assisting the hydrologist or the forester. Volunteers must be 18 years of age unless accompanied by an adult while on duty.

A New Volunteer workshop is held each spring. However, new volunteers are accepted throughout the year.

Check the home page special notice section for limited special volunteer calls.

If you are interested, please complete the following volunteer application and service agreement and mail to Deloras Freeman, Visitor Services - GDSNWR, 3100 Desert Road, Suffolk, VA 23434.

More information

Volunteer Application (pdf - 560KB)

Volunteer Services Agreement (pdf - 416KB)

Volunteer Expectations Factsheet (pdf - 60KB)

FWS Volunteer Factsheet (pdf - 741KB)

Internships

The Great Dismal Swamp NWR accepts applications for internship positions on an ongoing basis. Interns may work in several of the refuge management programs including visitor services, administrative operations, biology, hydrology, and forestry.


Internships are non-paid positions; however, housing and a food stipend will be provided. Local interns can be given a per mile travel allowance.


In most cases, to be considered for an internship position, an applicant must be able to commit to a minimum of three months, but there is some flexibility in this dependent upon projects and other refuge needs.


For consideration, submit your resume, availability, and program focus to Deloras_Freeman@fws.gov.

Great Dismal Swamp Coalition

Tiger Swallowtail Credit: D. Freeman/USFWS
Timber rattlesnake. Credit: D. Schwab/USFWS

Friends of the Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge

The Great Dismal Swamp Coalition is an independent, non-profit organization dedicated to promoting a better understanding and appreciation for the natural environment of the Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge by enhancing public awareness and interest, and encouraging people to visit the Refuge and share in its educational programs.

Coalition projects have included:

  • Sponsoring canoe trips, birding and nature walks, biking outings, star-gazing events.
  • Acquiring grant funding for Refuge public use projects.
  • Providing funding for teacher activity packets and videos.
  • Hosting public outreach events.

We invite you to join the Great Dismal Swamp Coalition. Your membership and/or donation helps to support the mission and programs at the Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge.

Membership benefits include:

  • Newsletter
  • 10% discount in Coalition bookstore
  • Participation in on-site educational programs
  • Provide funding for Refuge interpretive, outreach, and educational programs.

For membership and/or donation form, click here.

 

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Last updated: March 30, 2012