Information for Volunteers

The Division of Mammals has limitless volunteer opportunities!

Who can volunteer?

• people 13 or older
• people younger than 13, if accompanied by a parent of guardian
• college students exploring opportunities in biology
• retirees looking to try something new
• high school students fulfilling internship requirements
• everybody!

What is there to do?

• process incoming mammal specimens, for use in scientific research
• gather materials to be borrowed by researchers
• help manage our dermestarium
• help curate newly acquired collections
• label specimens and learn how to install them into our permanent collection
• enter specimen data into our online database
• and maybe even help with fieldwork!

How much time should I volunteer?

• we request a 60 hour commitment, to be completed within about four months. That works out be about 4 hours per week
• after the 60 hour commitment is complete, volunteers are more than welcome to stick around, with no further commitment
• our staff is available to work with volunteers Tuesday through Friday, 9am - 4pm
• volunteers should set up a regular schedule, within the above time constraints

How do I get started?

• contact our staff coordinator
  
• if you have never visited the Division before, we’ll arrange a time for you to stop by and get a feel for what we do
• your volunteering will begin with a 2-hour training and orientation session
• after that, you will learn as you go!