All volunteers must register on our new system. Please sign up at this link.

Once we have processed your application, you will be able to sign up for individual shifts/opportunities here.

VOLUNTEER DAYS

We offer Restoration and Maintenance opportunities on most Saturdays from 8am-12pm (8am-11am June-September). Volunteer duties may include but are not limited to removing invasive plants on many of our trails, assisting in plantings, trimming plants along our boardwalk, moving logs and branches, cleaning up the parking lot, boardwalk, and pavilion, and various other tasks. This opportunity is great for those who want to work outdoors, don't mind physical work and want to learn about our environment as we spruce up the Preserve!

Please register  for our Community Volunteer Days in advance as spaces do fill. These opportunities are available for adults as well as youth.

Age Requirements:

High school aged volunteers (14-17 yrs) are welcomed with written parental consent (unless parent will be volunteering at the same time (implied consent))

Middle school age volunteers (11-13 yrs) are welcomed with parental consent and one parent/guardian working as a volunteer for each 2 children volunteering

Elementary age volunteers (9-10 yrs) are welcomed with parental consent and one parent/guardian working as volunteer for each child volunteering

LEADERS IN TRAINING

ONPs Leader in Training (LIT) program is for youth who want to gain knowledge in programming events, working with kids and gain leadership skills. Participants will take part in a counselor orientation/training and take on more responsibility as they plan and execute games, sports and nature education with the camp educators and counselors of our Environmental Summer Camp program.

• LITs is for youth ages 14 to 17 years old.

• The number of LIT positions available is limited.

• A LIT must commit to at least one full week of our summer camp, Monday through Friday from 8:30am-4:30pm.

• LITs must attend LIT camp and animal handling training prior to camp starting.

Please check back in February 2026 for more information on how to apply for our 2026 Leaders in Training Program.

YOUTH DOCENTS

ONP Youth Docents can be found doing a variety of tasks here at the Preserve! Their main priority is engaging with ONP guests at activity stations at our Education Center. These include animal bio-facts and interactive games to help guests learn more about wildlife and the ecosystems where they live. Volunteers may also be asked to participate with special events such as Oakland Heritage Festival, Nature Fest, etc. This opportunity is great for those with an interest in our environment and who want to gain experience in talking with people.

• Youth Docent is for youth ages 15 to 17 years old.

• The number of positions available is limited.

• Must commit to at least one 3-hour shift per month on Saturdays, Sundays may be available if a senior Docent is also on the shift.

• Must attend orientation and animal handling (if desired) training.

• Docents are also invited to help out during our special events.

The next training for Youth Docents is January 24, 8:30am-12:30pm and an all-Docent meeting from 1 until 3pm.

ANIMAL CARE

Aspiring animal care technicians: we have limited opportunities to get involved with our animal husbandry. Duties can include: cleaning enclosures, washing dishes, filling waters, preparing diet. There will be no direct animal handling during these shifts and you will work directly with our Animal Care Coordinator. Volunteers will need to meet with the animal care coordinator prior to signing up for shifts.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

All volunteers must register on our new system. Please sign up at this link.

Once we have processed your application, you will be able to sign up for individual shifts/opportunities here.

Please email volunteer@oaklandnaturepreserve.org or call 407-905-0054, to learn more or apply for our Leaders In Training or Youth Docent Programs! Please see the Volunteer Manual for our age requirements and youth volunteer guidelines.

Our organization encourages the teamwork of employees and volunteers so that we can effectively educate visitors and restore and conserve the lands within the Preserve. Volunteers contribute their unique talents, skills, and abilities to complete physical and non-physical tasks, enable the paid staff to concentrate on the work for which they were trained, and educate the public about our organization and its cause.