Volunteer — Friends of Rye Nature Center

Rye Nature Center owes much of its success to its Friends and the volunteer support we receive in all areas of our operation. Volunteer projects do not require special skills and are supervised by our staff. Volunteers are generally needed for 1 - 1.5 hours weekly, but longer experiences can be arranged.

* Please note: from June - August all volunteers must be 15 and older to volunteer.

Rye Nature Center can sponsor Eagle Scout, Girl Scout Gold Award, school, or community projects.

Animal Volunteers

Animal volunteers are needed to help feed, clean, and interact with resident Nature Center pets. Volunteers should be at least 14 years or older and able to commit to helping weekly or biweekly for 1.5 hours for at least an 8 weeks. No prior animal experience is necessary.

Animal Volunteer Request Form

Summer Camp Volunteers

Summer camp volunteers help our educators and specialists provide fun, hands-on nature explorations to children. Volunteers must be at least 15 years old, and commit to helping out 5 days a week for two weeks between June and August. Prior experience working with children is preferred, but not required.

Summer Camp Volunteer Request Form

Garden and trail volunteers

Garden and trail volunteers are needed to help maintain our trails, survey the grounds for plants and wildlife, and complete special projects. If you are interested in working outdoors or bringing a volunteer group.

Conservation volunteer request form

Citizen science

You can help with research projects at the Nature Center or become a part of a nationwide citizen science project. The Rye Nature Center has hosted and helped train children and adults to help with Audubon’s Great Backyard Bird Count, Project FrogWatch, and the National Phenology Network. Local students and parents have also helped with Rye Nature Center’s box turtle monitoring program, tree mapping, and more.