Ways to Get Involved
Join us as a Volunteer, Friend, or Seasonal Intern!
Whether you want to further conservation, learn more about nature, or share your love of the outdoors, you’ve come to the right place. National wildlife refuges provide many opportunities for you to help your community and support wildlife conservation by doing what you love.
Internships
The Eastern Mass National Wildlife Refuge Complex typically has a variety of seasonal internship opportunities each year. Most are based out of our headquarters at Assabet River NWR in Sudbury, MA, but encompass work at other refuges in the Complex, including Great Meadows NWR and Oxbow NWR. Announcements will be posted on this website and on popular job boards during the winter of each year. Internships are a great way to experience what it is like to work on public lands and make a contribution to natural resource conservation.
Volunteering
Volunteer Opportunities
We love our volunteers! Without their time, support, and dedication, much of what we do at Assabet River NWR would not be possible.
Learn more below, and complete this form to sign up for volunteer opportunities and/or to request to receive email updates about upcoming volunteer events.
Trail Maintenance Crew
Volunteers help to maintain our network of 15+ miles of trails throughout the year. Projects may include trimming or clearing vegetation, removing trash or debris, mowing or weed whacking trails or parking lots, and other infrastructure projects. These volunteers act as stewards for our trail system.
Pollinator Garden Volunteers
Volunteers support the Friends of Woodlands and Waters in maintaining the Pollinator Garden located in front of our headquarters building located along Winterberry Way. Projects include planting, tilling soil, mulching, weeding, and more. (Garden volunteering is active spring through late fall).
Public Programs and Outreach Volunteers
Do you like birds? Trees? Insects? History? Meditation? Come share your knowledge with others in the community! We are looking for volunteers to lead free programs at the refuge about any topic of their interest. Examples include a fern walk, a nature exploration geared towards families with children, or a sunrise stroll. Get in touch with us about any topic you might be interested in sharing.
Fill out the form to sign up or learn more!
Our Partners
Nature does not recognize human-made boundaries. In order to conserve our natural and cultural resources effectively, we must work with others to bridge these boundaries. Partnerships foster creative solutions to challenging situations and often the results are greater than the sum of the parts. Learn more about our local partners.
Friends of Woodlands and Waters
The Friends of Woodlands and Waters is the official Friends Organization which supports Assabet River, Great Meadows, and Oxbow NWRs. Friends Organizations are independent, non-profit group that support public entities. The Friends of Woodlands and Waters are devoted to the continued protection and management of these 3 refuges, and to the promotion of environmental education and programs.
Looking for more information? Interested in upcoming volunteer opportunities with the Friends? Looking for deeper involvement as a Friends Board member?
Check out the Friends of Woodlands and Waters website, Facebook page, or reach out via email at friendsofaroxgm@gmail.com.
