Ways to Get Involved
- Volunteer- Key to our refuge’s success, volunteers help with everything from greeting visitors, teaching students, helping maintenance staff to conducting wildlife surveys. Volunteering isn't just work though, expect to make new friends and join in one some of social gatherings. To become involved complete a volunteer application and contact Diana_Ogilvie@fws.gov.
- Friends of Patuxent, Inc.- is a volunteer led, tax-exempt non-profit organization that was formed in 1992 to support the missions and programs of the Patuxent Research Refuge and the Eastern Ecological Science Center.
- Internships- During the fall season, paid interns with Meade Natural Heritage Association learn hands-on wildlife management skills while operating the refuge’s hunt control station.
- Youth Conservation Corps (YCC)- is a national program that aids refuges in habitat restoration, maintenance projects, and many other critical tasks. This program is open to high school youth living near Patuxent Research Refuge and is operated through our partnering organization Mobilize Green.
Volunteering
Discover for yourself what tens of thousands of volunteers have learned: Volunteering for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is fun and rewarding in many ways. Master new skills. Meet new friends. Enjoy a sense of accomplishment from doing your part to further wildlife conservation for the pleasure of generations to follow.
Volunteers at the refuge currently help with education programs, trail monitoring, grounds keeping and hosting visitors at the visitor center. Other short term projects, such as invasive plant removal, are ongoing. Current needs include: Volunteer at North Tract front desk needed Sunday afternoon and Mondays.
To find out more about how you can be involved complete our volunteer application or contact Michael_Cangelosi@fws.gov.
Our Partners
Laurel for the Patuxent- https://laurelforthepatuxent.org/
Mobilize Green- https://www.mobilizegreen.org/
Montpelier Elementary- https://schools.pgcps.org/montpelier/
Masonville Cove- https://www.masonvillecove.org/
Bowie State University- https://www.bowiestate.edu