Ways to Get Involved
Whether you want to further conservation, learn more about nature or share your love of the outdoors, you’ve come to the right place. National wildlife refuges provide many opportunities for you to help your community by doing what you love. National wildlife refuges partner with volunteers, youth groups, landowners, neighbors and residents of urban and coastal communities to make a lasting difference. Find out how you can help make American lands healthier and communities stronger while doing something personally satisfying.
Do you want to be among those who are renewing the refuge? If so, email us at valledeoro@fws.gov and let us know.
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.
Valle de Oro volunteers are essential to the refuge's success. We are always seeking more volunteer help in a variety of areas. Our events page has details about volunteer work party events that take place throughout the year. If you'd like to get more involved on a more regular basis, we have volunteer roles that range from the "Weed Warriors" crew that help control invasive plants to our Welcome Desk docents who staff the visitor center. If you would like to inquire about volunteering, please contact the refuge volunteer coordinator at: dakota_dominguez@fws.gov
Up to date volunteer opportunities can also be found on volunteer.gov , just search "Valle de Oro" to find more information and apply to join our volunteer team.
Volunteer Opportunities
Our Partners
Today, the refuge works with community partners to establish a 21st Century conservation ethic and deepen connections to the natural world. We use an innovative and collaborative approach to connect people with wildlife, plants and the land by providing ways to deepen personal relationships with nature. The refuge balances healthy natural habitat restoration and management with opportunities for education, visitor engagement, youth employment, community involvement and stewardship.
The refuge was established due to the incredible efforts of community members who saw the value of having a wildlife refuge in this urban setting and the need to project this land from development. Designated as an Urban National Wildlife Refuge, Valle de Oro National Wildlife Refuge is one of just over 100 refuges that are within a 25-mile radius of an urban area with a population of more than 250,000. Our model of community-based conservation is growing in the greater refuge system.
Education Programs
School and education groups are welcome to visit the refuge to learn about urban wildlife conservation and habitat restoration. For smaller groups, ranger guided tours of the refuge can be scheduled. For larger class groups, we can consult on suggested activities for self-guided field trips and/or offer a ranger introduction talk about the refuge. Larger field trip programming is potentially available on a case-by-case basis, dependent on staff availability and capacity. We ask that educators plan ahead by at least two months for visiting the refuge. Education inquiries can be sent to Ranger Dakota at: dakota_dominguez@fws.gov