Ways to Get Involved

From its start in 1903, the National Wildlife Refuge System has owed its very existence to concerned citizens eager to protect America's natural resources.

More than 200 nonprofit Refuge Friends organizations support national wildlife refuges, whether they work with a single refuge, a refuge complex or an entire state.  Friends members are crucial to conserving and protecting our nation’s wildlife and teaching millions of Americans that their actions today determine the conservation legacy of tomorrow.

More than 42,000 people volunteer their time and ideas each year to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Whether they work on the land, in a visitor center or with youth, they contribute to the conservation mission that reaches back more than a century. Become a volunteer or Refuge Friend to contribute your strength on behalf of America’s natural resources. 

Kern National Wildlife Refuge has ongoing volunteer positions that involve biological surveys, habitat management, and invasive plant removal. Some positions offer free on site housing while all offer experiences that that you will always remember. For more information contact the Refuge at 661-725-2767. More information on volunteer opportunities with federal agencies that manage our nation's natural resources can be found at volunteer.gov

For more information about local volunteer opportunities on the refuge, please contact the Kern National Wildlife Refuge at 661-725-2767.

Our Partners

Building Partnerships, Sharing our Expertise, Leveraging Resources and Achieving Results.

The National Wildlife Refuge System is committed to building partnerships which encourage conservation and preservation of our natural and cultural resources. Partnerships with the Refuge System bring innovative approaches to solving land management and water disputes in the most environmentally protective manner. Scientifically-informed and technologically-based stewardship of our public lands, waters, wildlife and special places must be collaborative efforts between the Refuge System, other government agencies, and private organizations if conservation efforts are to succeed.

In addition to local partnerships, out Conservation Partnerships program is more than an organizational structure structure
Something temporarily or permanently constructed, built, or placed; and constructed of natural or manufactured parts including, but not limited to, a building, shed, cabin, porch, bridge, walkway, stair steps, sign, landing, platform, dock, rack, fence, telecommunication device, antennae, fish cleaning table, satellite dish/mount, or well head.

Learn more about structure
, it is a guiding philosophy. The Pacific Southwest Region and the refuges and wildlife management areas within it have instituted a initiative that groups our customer-oriented programs together and provides a "storefront" for voluntary, cooperative opportunities in habitat restoration, migratory bird conservation, and environmental education. Our Conservation Partnerships Program brings the Service's mechanisms for funding or implementing strategic habitat conservation for our trust species under one umbrella, so that we may better serve our public and private citizen partners.  

We seek to expand the pool of resources available to our partners and provide the best in fish and wildlife expertise in order to leverage the Service's greatest assets: our people and our partners!