Every year since I started volunteering at the Evergreen Nature Center back in 2009, I gave myself a personal goal of recruiting at least one new Visitor Assistant each season. Help me achieve the goal this year!

Visitor Assistants at the Nature Center do just that – they assist visitors by answering questions about the exhibits, the surrounding Evergreen area, and of course, “what’s that black bird with red wings?”

Volunteering at the Nature Center doesn’t have to be a huge commitment. You can help us by donating just 2-4 hours a month. Even if you’re new to the area or feel you don’t know enough about our local environment, we could still use your help. We’ll train you and ensure a seasoned volunteer is paired with you during your first few shifts. We’ll also have Emma Vasicek, our Outreach and Education Director, or Maddy McFarland, our part-time Seasonal Naturalist, on hand to teach you all sorts of great natural history facts and stories. Before you know it, you’ll be sharing how we acquired Heather the mountain lion and Bob the Bear; kicking off puppet shows; talking at length about our resident double-crested cormorants, elk, and muskrats; and encouraging families to become Evergreen Audubon members and participate in our programs.

As a thank-you for donating your time, you will be invited to an appreciation event at the end of the season. Last year’s volunteers enjoyed a special tour of the Morrison Natural History Museum, including snacks and social time. A previous event was a field trip to the Rocky Mountain Arsenal Wildlife Refuge, including a presentation on black-footed ferrets and a back of the exhibit visit at feeding time.

The Nature Center is now open on Wednesdays – Sundays from 11 am – 5 pm with three 2-hour shifts. After Labor Day until mid-October, we will be open on Saturdays and Sundays.

I’d be glad to chat with you about being a Volunteer Assistant, and I promise not to twist your arm too much as I encourage you to join our team. Please get in touch with me with your questions at president@EvergreenAudubon.org.

Of course, if you don’t plan to volunteer, I still encourage you to stop by the Nature Center to enjoy our amazing resource!