Ways to Get Involved

National wildlife refuges partner with volunteers, youth groups, landowners, neighbors and local community members to make a lasting difference. Getting involved at Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge is a great opportunity to learn new skills and help to 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 to get involved.

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. 

Current Volunteer Opportunities

Visitor Center Volunteer

Our Visitor Center serves as a gathering place and launching point for visitors, groups, and refuge programs; since this building is entirely staffed by volunteers, they are often the first faces people see when they arrive at the refuge. Volunteers help orient visitors to the refuge, and help educate about our mission to conserve and protect habitat for wildlife.

Second Saturday Work Parties

Help with conservation and restoration efforts by participating in regularly scheduled work parties. Projects typically include invasive plant management, native plantings, or trash removal. This is a great way to participate in environmental stewardship, meet others in the community who enjoy the outdoors, and get behind-the-scenes looks at the refuge. Find more information and register on the Friends of Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge website. For questions call (503) 625-5944 ext. 15238

How to Apply

If you are interested in volunteering in the Visitor Center you can apply at this link volunteer.gov. If you are only interested in the work parties, please reach out to us directly, at the number below, and let us know of your interest. If you have any questions about the volunteer program please contact us at tualatinriver@fws.gov or call us at 503-625-5944.

Volunteer Opportunities

Our Refuge: Located about 15 miles outside Portland, OR, Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge Complex is a fantastic destination to see a variety of wildlife in many of our diverse habitats. As a designated Urban Refuge, we provide many opportunities for the public to engage on the land. We...

Our Partners

Work with our local partners throughout the community allow us to further our mission to “to administer a national network of lands and waters for the conservation, management and, where appropriate, restoration of the fish, wildlife and plant resources and their habitats within the United States for the benefit of present and future generations of Americans.” Partnerships help us to work within our community, and to be a community asset of conservation. Learn more about our local partners below.

The refuge works closely with our Friends group, the Friends of the Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge Complex. The mission of the Friends is "to promote the conservation and welfare of the Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge Complex for all dependent species and to enrich the lives of citizens through education and experience." The Friends support the refuge in almost all aspects of conservation, including biological, educational, and outreach work.