Sawgrass Nature Center & Wildlife Hospital
Adult volunteers are an essential part of the Sawgrass Nature Center & Wildlife Hospital
community. Their dedication helps us provide care for injured wildlife, maintain our
facilities, educate visitors, and support our mission of conservation and environmental
education.
Whether you are passionate about wildlife, interested in giving back to your community, or
looking to develop new skills, volunteering at SNC offers a meaningful way to make a
difference.
Volunteers support many areas of the Nature Center and play a vital role in ensuring the
success of our programs and daily operations.
Adult volunteers may assist in a variety of roles based on their interests, availability, and
training.
Assist staff with tasks that support the care and rehabilitation of wildlife patients. Duties
may include preparing food, cleaning enclosures, organizing supplies, and helping maintain
the hospital environment.
Help welcome visitors to the Nature Center, answer questions, provide directions, and
share information about our exhibits and programs.
Support educational programs, school field trips, and special events while helping visitors
learn about wildlife conservation and environmental stewardship.
Assist with maintaining the grounds, gardens, and outdoor habitats through planting,
landscaping, and conservation projects.
Help with office tasks such as data entry, phone support, organizing records, and assisting
staff with administrative needs.
Volunteers play a key role in supporting SNC events, including festivals, educational
programs, fundraisers, and community gatherings.
Corporate & Group Volunteering
Businesses, community groups, schools, and organizations are invited to participate in
Corporate & Group Volunteer Days at Sawgrass Nature Center.
Group volunteer opportunities help support conservation projects while providing a
meaningful team-building experience.
Group volunteer days are a great way for teams to give back to the community while
supporting wildlife and environmental conservation.
Contact our Volunteer Coordinator to schedule a group volunteer day.
Volunteers are the heart of Sawgrass Nature Center & Wildlife Hospital. Their dedication
allows us to care for thousands of animals each year while educating the community about
conservation and environmental stewardship.
By volunteering, you become part of a team working to protect wildlife, support
rehabilitation efforts, and inspire others to care for our natural world.
Junior Volunteers (under 18) must have parental permission.
Volunteers under age 16 must be accompanied by an adult while volunteering.
After submitting your application, you will be invited to sign up for a volunteer orientation. All volunteers must
attend orientation before beginning their service.
You typically will not receive an additional message after registering. Your confirmation email should include the
orientation date and link. Please check that email for the details.
After orientation, volunteers must complete the availability form.
If you completed the form and have not heard back, please email:
volunteers@sawgrassnaturecenter.org
In some cases, a typo in the email address may prevent us from contacting you.
Volunteer positions are not guaranteed, and completing the availability form does not automatically mean a shift
will be assigned.
You should generally hear back within two weeks. Please also check your junk or spam folder and confirm your
contact information was entered correctly.
Adult volunteers are asked to pay a $30 annual volunteer membership fee, which includes:
• Sawgrass Nature Center membership
• Volunteer T-shirt (uniform)
• Volunteer name badge
This membership helps support the programs and resources that make volunteering possible.
To support our programs and wildlife hospital operations:
• Hospital volunteers: one 4-hour shift per week
• Junior volunteers (gift shop/admin): minimum 2 hours per week
Adult volunteers must:
• Be 18 years or older
• Attend Volunteer Orientation
• Be comfortable performing light physical activity such as standing, bending, kneeling, and lifting up to 10
lbs
All volunteers must sign in when arriving and sign out when leaving.
Sign-in sheets are located:
• In the Wildlife Hospital
• In the Administrative Building near the Volunteer Coordinator’s desk
Tracking volunteer hours helps SNC maintain records for grants, funding, and safety in case of emergencies.
If you need service hours for school, you are responsible for tracking your own hours. Completed forms can be
emailed to:
volunteers@sawgrassnaturecenter.org
If you are unable to attend your shift or will be late, please notify the Volunteer Coordinator or the staff member
you report to.
Volunteers who repeatedly miss scheduled shifts without notice risk losing their volunteer position.
Yes. Volunteers may request references after completing either:
• 3 months of satisfactory service, or
• 50 hours of volunteer service
Please provide at least two weeks’ notice and include the recipient’s name, title, business address, and the
purpose of the reference.
Volunteers should dress neatly and appropriately for their role.
• Hospital volunteers should wear clothing they do not mind getting dirty
• Closed-toe shoes are required
• Clothing that may be offensive or inappropriate should not be worn
No. Sawgrass Nature Center & Wildlife Hospital is a smoke-free facility. Smoking is not permitted anywhere on the
property.
Hospital volunteers often work in various weather conditions, including rain.
If severe weather or storms occur, staff will notify volunteers about closures. If weather prevents you from
attending your shift, please notify the Volunteer Coordinator.
Organizations and groups are welcome to participate in volunteer projects.
Please contact the Volunteer Coordinator with the size of your group and possible dates:
volunteers@sawgrassnaturecenter.org
With very few exceptions, Sawgrass Nature Center does not accept court-mandated volunteers.
Volunteers are expected to act professionally and respectfully. Volunteers may be dismissed for:
• Continual lateness or unexcused absence
• Disrespect toward staff, volunteers, or visitors
• Abuse or mistreatment of animals
• Property damage or theft
• Harassment or discrimination
• Use of alcohol or illegal drugs while volunteering
• Violating local, state, or federal laws
Yes. Sawgrass Nature Center & Wildlife Hospital provides equal volunteer opportunities and prohibits
discrimination or harassment based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression,
age, disability, marital status, citizenship, national origin, genetic information, or any other protected
characteristic under the law.