Rookery Bay Reserve Volunteers play a vital role in the preservation, restoration and management of our mangrove estuary. As a Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve Volunteer, you may expect:

• A suitable assignment that matches your interests and abilities.
• Orientation and training for the safe, successful performance of your duties.
• Direction and support from your project supervisor.
• Courteous consideration as a co-worker by Rookery Bay Reserve Staff.
• Recognition and appreciation of the time, effort and materials you donate to our program.

We need your help! Below are current volunteer opportunities. Please contact the volunteer coordinator at 239-417-6310 for more information.

Invasive Plant Removal

We are looking for help with community service crews on the weekends for the next month and half. The ultimate goal is to rid the front parking area of invasives and weeds and mulch and replant with native plants by March 19th. The way community service usually works is two buses with 30 to 40 people and two officers per bus will arrive around 9:00am and work until about 3:00 with an hour lunch break. They can come on Saturdays or Sundays. All that we have to do is split the crews up and demonstrate what we want them to do, hand out tools, and assist in supervising them. It goes pretty quickly and it is possible to work on other things.

Monofilament Removal

Kayakers, we are looking for people to collect monofilament from around Tarpon Bay and Johnson Bay once a month. Please contact me if you are interested. I will provide you with locations.

Special Events

At special weekend events, I always have a table or two set up with information about Rookery Bay. The purpose is basically to raise awareness about the Resrve, what goes on and how the community can get involved. This includes passing out info on membership for the Friends of Rookery Bay and info on the new learning center. We also sometimes sell Friends of Rookery Bay t-shirts. I will be doing this the following dates. Any one interested in working a couple of hours please let me know!