Ways to Get Involved

National wildlife refuges partner with volunteers, youth groups, landowners, neighborhoods and local community members to make a lasting difference. Getting involved at Great Dismal Swamp NWR is a great opportunity to learn new skills and help conserve our public lands. With a variety of opportunities in a wide range of programs, anything from visitor services to habitat management, there is a place for everyone. 

Volunteering

Volunteering for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is a great way to engage in conservation work, and get involved in the community. With volunteer opportunities in nearly every aspect of the refuge, from our biology program to visitor services, there are a multitude of ways to gain new skills and meet new people. 

Send all volunteer inquiries to GreatDismalSwamp@fws.gov

Front Desk/Greeter 
Do you enjoy talking with people? Want to help our visitors find their way? We would love to have you at our front desk! This position requires a recurring commitment of a few hours a week or bi-weekly (weekdays only). Hours are flexible.

Field Assistant
Are you skilled in plant/animal identification? Love hiking in beautiful & challenging terrain? Then this may be the spot for you. Although limited in availability, our biologists occasionally have spots for a field assistant. This is a great opportunity for natural resource students to gain experience in field techniques.

Carpentry/Maintenance/Construction
We always have projects around the refuge that require skilled hands! If you have a skill you would like to share, we would love to have you! 

Miscellaneous & Events
Can't commit to a schedule but want to join in on the fun when time allows? We have opportunities throughout the year for helping with events and miscellaneous activities around the refuge. Send an inquiry to GreatDismalSwamp@fws.gov about getting on our mailing list and we'll keep you in the loop when opportunities arise!

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 some of our partners.

Education Programs

Open the door to a potentially life-changing experience. If you land a student internship, a fellowship, or a volunteer opportunity at a national wildlife refuge national wildlife refuge
A national wildlife refuge is typically a contiguous area of land and water managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service  for the conservation and, where appropriate, restoration of fish, wildlife and plant resources and their habitats for the benefit of present and future generations of Americans.

Learn more about national wildlife refuge
, fish hatchery or other Fish and Wildlife Service site, you're bound to come away with new insights and excitement about conservation.

Great Dismal Swamp partners with organizations such as AmeriCorps, Student Conservation Association (SCA), Youth Conservation Corps (YCC) and American Conservation Experience (ACE) to provide opportunities for youth to gain experience on the refuge.