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Volunteer Opportunities

WSU Jefferson County Extension partners with local and regional environmental stewardship organizations to help promote volunteer events and education opportunities across the North Olympic Peninsula. Sign up for the monthly North Olympic Peninsula Volunteer Opportunities newsletter, see the Strait ECO events calendar for current opportunities, and scroll through the listings of organizations below to find the right fit for you.

Do you want to make a difference?

Volunteer for the environment on the Olympic Peninsula.

 – I just want to be in nature.

 – I just love this place and I want to give back.

 – I’ve made so many friends and met such interesting people. 

That’s what volunteers across the North Olympic Peninsula say when they volunteer for the environment.  You’ll be surprised by how many different kinds of opportunities there are right here on the Peninsula.  Whether you have just a few hours or you’re looking for a regular activity, there are plenty of choices.  Sign up for the monthly North Olympic Peninsula Volunteer Opportunities newsletter, view the most recent newsletter, see the Strait ECO events calendar, and scroll through the listings below to find the right fit for you.


 


 

Admiralty Audubon Society

Admiralty Audubon Society (AAS) is a chapter of the National Audubon Society serving the communities of eastern Jefferson County, Washington, by initiating, promoting, assisting, and encouraging the understanding and appreciation of nature and the conservation of wildlife and wilderness, natural resources, and natural beauty. Volunteers participate in educational walks, bird counts, and work parties planting natives and pulling invasives. See Admiralty Audubon Society for more information.

Clallam Conservation District

A local subdivision of state government created to promote natural resource conservation and land and water stewardship in Clallam County. Annual winter native plant sale, outreach and education events, tree and shrub planting, taking irrigation flow measurements. Contact 360-775-3747 or info@clallamcd.org.

Clallam County Marine Resources Committee

A county advisory committee collaborating to improve shellfish harvest areas, protect marine habitat, and support salmon and forage fish recovery to reduce impacts on marine resources. Help with forage fish, shellfish, seabirds and kelp bed monitoring; oiled wildlife training; restoration; and outreach. Contact 360-417-2322 or rebecca.mahan@clallamcountywa.gov.

Dungeness National Wildlife Refuge

Manages the Wildlife Refuge near Sequim. Trailhead docents and greeters, beach clean-ups, invasive species mitigation, trail maintenance. Training once a year only, in the Spring. Contact 360-457-8451 or david_falzetti@fws.gov.

Dungeness River Nature Center

Manages Railroad Bridge Park and the River Center on the Dungeness River in Sequim. Docents, collection care, special events, education and outreach, publicity, stewardship. Contact 360-681-4076.

Department of Natural Resources

The DNR Recreation Program builds and maintains recreation facilities and multi-use trails that promote safe and sustainable recreation on state trust lands. Contact 360-489-4986 or justin.zarzeczny@dnr.wa.gov.

Feiro Marine Life Center

Manages the marine science center in Port Angeles. Docents, tank cleaning, education and outreach, citizen science. Contact 360-417-6254 or tamara@feiromarinelifecenter.org.

Friends of Fort Flagler

Friends of Fort Flagler is an all-volunteer, non-profit organization that works to restore, preserve, and protect the natural and historical resources of Fort Flagler State Park, as well as to provide assistance and support for the park staff. Volunteers help with natural history interpretation, trail stewardship, as well as organize environmental education events, beach and campground cleanups, scotch broom removals, and more. See the Friends of Fort Flagler volunteer page for more details and contact form.

Friends of Fort Townsend

Friends of Fort Townsend was established in 2001 as a Friends Group with Washington State Parks. Volunteer members assist in maintenance of trails and protection of the Park’s natural forest area; support special events and projects that promote use of the park and campground; and educate visitors about the plant and animal life, and the geology of the park. Contact friends.ftsp@gmail, on Facebook at Friends of Fort Townsend, or by phone 360-385-2998.

Friends of Olympic National Park

Friends of Olympic National Park promotes understanding of the Park’s ecological, educational, economic, and recreational importance and work with Olympic National Park on special projects.  We co-sponsor the winter Perspectives Lecture Series, offer nature walks/tours guided by Park rangers, and coordinate volunteer opportunities to enhance our Park. See volunteer opportunities, upcoming events, and contact FONP2020@gmail.com.

Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe

A federally recognized Tribe located in Blyn with programs protecting tribal treaty rights through restoration, enhancement, scientific study, and conservation and promoting traditional tribal cultural practices with traditional foods and gathering. Stream restoration, native planting/gardening. Contact 360-681-4600 or aalmond@jamestowntribe.org.

Jefferson County Marine Resources Committee

A county advisory committee committed to protecting and restoring the marine and nearshore ecosystems of East Jefferson County. Community volunteers assist with forage fish surveys, Olympia oyster restoration, rain garden installations and maintenance, bull kelp monitoring and environmental education events. Contact jeff.co.mrc@gmail.com.

Jefferson County Noxious Weeds Control Program

Provides oversight and assistance in every aspect of noxious weed management, and enforces the WAC 16-750 and RCW 17.10 weed laws. Volunteers help with public outreach and education, and remove invasive, highly competitive weeds from critical areas. Contact noxiousweeds@co.jefferson.wa.us.

Jefferson Land Trust

Jefferson Land Trust is an accredited, nonprofit organization in Jefferson County, with the mission of preserving open space, working lands and habitat forever. Hands-on stewardship and restoration, outreach, writing, photography. Contact 360-379-9501 or info@saveland.org.

Local 20/20

A Jefferson County grassroots non-profit organization focused on increasing local sustainability and resiliency through action and education. There are a wide range of opportunities to get involved. See L2020.org for more details or contact info@l2020.org.

Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe

A federally recognized Tribe west of Port Angeles, working to restore ecosystems and protect unique tribal interests and treaty rights. Restore the Elwha River and other areas by growing and planting native plants, removing weeds, citizen science projects, seasonal fishery and wildlife work. Contact 360-457-4012 x7489 or allyce.miller@elwha.org.

North Olympic Land Trust

A land trust conserving open spaces, local food and resources, healthy watersheds and recreational opportunities in Clallam County. Site stewardship, monitoring, outreach, Farm Tour. Contact 360-417-1815 or info@northolympiclandtrust.org.

North Olympic Salmon Coalition

A non-profit organization working to restore salmon habitat on the North Olympic Peninsula. Plant trees, survey salmon, collect samples, teach kids, assist with events and outreach. Contact 360-379-8051 or volunteer@nosc.org.

Northwest Watershed Institute

Protects, restores and provides educational events and programs for students and volunteers of all ages to promote understanding of watershed ecology and conservation in the Pacific Northwest. NWI leads a coalition of 45 groups that work to restore wild salmon and wildlife habitat in Tarboo Creek and Tarboo-Dabob Bay. Volunteers can plant trees or be crew leaders at the annual Plant-A-Thon in February, join monthly restoration work parties, and conduct wildlife and habitat monitoring. Contact Megan Brookens at megan@nwwatershed.org.

Olympic Climate Action

A local citizen’s group that seeks a safe, prosperous, sustainable future for residents of the Olympic Peninsula by addressing the threat of climate change. Opportunites range from helping with events, education, outreach, research and providing input to local governments and more. See Olympic Climate Action for more information.

Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary

Manages nearly 3,200 square mile marine sanctuary off the west coast of the Olympic Peninsula. Coastal beach cleanups (CoastSavers), data collection, Coastal Observation and Seabird Survey Team (COASST). Docent and outreach work at the Olympic Coast Discovery Center in Port Angeles. Contact 360-406-2092 or chris.butlerminor@noaa.gov.

Olympic National Park

Olympic National Park offers service learning opportunities and recruits for volunteers positions.  Just click on the link above to learn more. Contact 360-565-3142 or olym_volunteer@nps.gov.

Port Townsend Marine Science Center

An educational and scientific nonprofit devoted to inspiring conservation of the Salish Sea. Aquarium and Museum located in Fort Worden in Port Townsend. Exhibit docents and greeters, classroom assistants, feeding and cleaning tanks, citizen science. Contact 360-385-5582 x120 or volunteer@ptmsc.org.

Streamkeepers

A Clallam County-led citizen-based scientific monitoring program, tracking the health of local watersheds. Work in small teams. Training provided. Contact 360-417-2281 or streamkeepers@co.clallam.wa.us.

Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife

State agency managing fish and wildlife in Washington. WDFW welcomes volunteers who want to assist in activities that benefit fish, wildlife and habitat. See WDFW volunteer opportunities and contact 360-902-2256 or VolunteerDFW@dfw.wa.gov.

WSU Extension Clallam & Jefferson

Extension offices on the Peninsula offer annual training to those looking to learn, then volunteer. Courses are fast-paced and science-based with a volunteer commitment following completion. Beach Naturalists is offered in the spring in Jefferson County and designed for anyone interested in learning about our beaches, marine life and becoming better stewards (monica.montgomery1@wsu.edu). Stream Stewards is offered through Clallam and Jefferson Counties. Learn about stream ecology, salmon, and habitat restoration (bridget.gregg@wsu.edu). Master Gardener training is offered in the spring in Clallam (360/417-2280; laurel.moulton@wsu.edu) and in the fall in Jefferson County (360/379.5610 x 210; bridget.gregg@wsu.edu). Fees vary.

 


For partner organizations

To share your organization’s upcoming environmental stewardship or education event, submit event details here. Events for the monthly volunteer opportunities newsletter should be submitted before the 1st of each month. Events can be submitted at any time to be featured on the Strait ECO events calendar (please allow up to 3 days for event review and posting).

Share your organization's upcoming environmental event

About this site

This webpage is compiled and maintained by WSU Extension in Jefferson and Clallam Counties to promote environmental volunteerism on the North Olympic Peninsula. Organizations with an environmental education or stewardship mission are included. If your organization has an environmental education or stewardship mission and would like to be included, please send an email to monica.montgomery1@wsu.edu.

Funding for this project comes from the Puget Sound National Estuary Program project:  Engaging the Community in Strait Ecosystem Recovery Phase 2 (NTA 2018-0935).

This project has been funded wholly or in part by the United States Environmental Protection Agency under assistance agreement PC-01J18101 to the Washington State Department of Ecology. The contents of this website do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of the Environmental Protection Agency, nor does mention of trade names or commercial products constitute endorsement or recommendation for use.