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A live bird show at Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge. Credit: USFWS

Get Involved

Are you interested in becoming a volunteer?

The refuge has many volunteer opportunities for people to get involved from frog surveys and invasive species removal to greeting visitors at our new visitor center at Assabet River National Wildlife Refuge and assisting on the development and implementation of programs. The refuge staff hosts an annual volunteer orientation every spring where newcomers and long-term volunteers can learn about the details of the upcoming season volunteer opportunities. Please contact Susan_J_Russo@fws.gov if you want learn more!

Refuge Boundary Stewards needed - (pdf 15KB) - NEW

Citizen Science (pdf 188 kb)

Visitor Services Opportunities (pdf 19kb)

Volunteers needed - (CISMA)’s EARLY DETECTION INVASIVE PLANT SURVEYS (pdf - 25KB)

The refuge typically has a variety of internship opportunities each summer ranging from biology and invasive species work to interpretation and education. Announcements are posted in November each year and the application period usually closes by the following February. Internships are a great way to experience what it is like to work on public lands and make a contribution to natural resource conservation.

Youth Conservation Corps

The refuge complex hosts a Youth Conservation Corps team each year out of the headquarters at Great Meadows NWR. Five young people aged 15 - 18 work 40 hours a week wth a leader to build trails and improve wildlife habitat. The work is physical, and team members are exposed to poison ivy, ticks, heat and rain, but it is a rewarding experience for youths with an interest in wildlife and conservation. Applications are due by April 15 each year.