Ways to Get Involved
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 fish and wildlife by doing what you love. We partner with volunteers, youth groups, landowners, neighbors and residents of urban and coastal communities to make a lasting difference. Find out how you can work with a local refuge to help make American lands healthier and communities stronger while doing something personally satisfying.
Volunteering
Volunteering for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is fun and rewarding in many ways. Our refuge is always looking for passionate people who enjoy the outdoors and want to use their wealth of knowledge to spread the word about one of the greatest treasures on the Eastern Shore of Virginia. Generally, no special skills are required to be a volunteer. On-the-job training is provided as needed. Individual talents and skills are matched with volunteer interests and work opportunities. There are a wide variety of opportunities for volunteers to assist with wildlife projects, public services or maintenance jobs. If you are interested in an internship, volunteering, or workamping, please call us at 757-331-2760. Want opportunity closer to home? Volunteer.gov is a great resource.
Internships
We offer an internship each spring and summer season. The application period for this position is usually between December and February. Please call (757) 331-2760 for information about these opportunities.
Workamping
If you have a recreational vehicle or motor home and enjoy living and working on a beautiful wildlife refuge, consider our available positions. In exchange for a gravel pad and full hook-ups, you will work 3 to 4 days a week in our expansive and modern visitor center. Responsibilities include:
- Opening and closing the center
- Greeting all visitors
- Answering questions about the refuge and the Eastern Shore of Virginia in general
- Helping people have a fun and educational visit to our gorgeous refuge.
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.
