Ten Thousand Islands National Wildlife Refuge

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There are a variety of volunteer opportunities at Ten Thousand Islands and Florida Panther National Wildlife Refuges! Volunteers contribute hundreds of hours each year to help meet the refuges' mission through maintaining facilities, monitoring bird populations, taking photos, guiding visitor groups, helping in the office, and repairing equipment. If you have a desire to help, we need you. We will make an assessment of how to match your desires to assist with what it takes to safely and effectively fill our needs. Please contact Refuge Headquarters to complete a volunteer application and we'll get to working together to continue conserving Southwest Florida!    

Phone: 239-657-8001 

Email: floridapanther@fws.gov 

Mail: 12085 State Road 29S Immokalee FL 34142 

What do volunteers do?

Monitoring: Environmental conditions and wildlife are monitored on an on-going basis. Everything from birds to amphibians, habitat, and invasive species invasive species
An invasive species is any plant or animal that has spread or been introduced into a new area where they are, or could, cause harm to the environment, economy, or human, animal, or plant health. Their unwelcome presence can destroy ecosystems and cost millions of dollars.

Learn more about invasive species are monitored at the refuge. Some existing knowledge is helpful to complete these tasks. Training may be available. 

Facilities Maintenance: Buildings, signs, and trails take effort to maintain. Adopt a trail, help inventory and maintain refuge signs, keep our headquarters grounds looking great, or donate your carpentry skills. 

Habitat Maintenance: Help keep refuge lands looking pristine and inviting to visitors. Go on litter patrol or search for and pull invasive plants. Several restoration projects need on-going plant removal. 

Administrative Support: There is plenty to do in the office, too! Help with data entry, organization, scanning historic documents, etc. 

Conservation Events and Activities: On occasion, the refuge seeks volunteers to participate in conservation activities such as tree planting, weed-pulling, trash pick-ups, or distributing "living with wildlife" information to nearby neighbors. Contact the refuge to be added to our email list of upcoming activities notifications. 

Education and Outreach: Sharing the stories of wildlife and conservation is an important part of ensuring a future full of land stewards and refuge support. There are many ways to contribute, from behind the scenes or in the spotlight... 

Behind the Scenes: Use your photography and videography skills to photo document refuge wildlife and activities, or contribute images or video to the refuge website or Facebook page. Like to write? Prepare interest stories for the web, newsletter, or press. 

In the Spotlight: Receive training to be a volunteer instructor with refuge environmental education programs or public events. Use your knowledge and talents to plan, host or co-host a walk, talk or activity about South Florida wildlife and habitats.