Volunteer at the NC Maritime Museum in Southport

The North Carolina Maritime Museum at Southport offers a variety of opportunities for individuals interested in volunteering. Volunteers represent the North Carolina Department of Cultural Resources and the Museum by interpreting the cultural and natural resources, relevant local community information, and maritime history of the Lower Cape Fear region. Volunteer placement is made based on an individual's interests, experience, abilities, availability, and on current volunteer openings.

Volunteers assist the Museum staff in the following capacities:

• Information Desk/Gift Shop Volunteer - greets visitors as they enter the Museum, orients visitors to exhibits, counts daily visitation, answers telephone and directs calls and   messages to the appropriate person, operates cash register, and provides customer service in the gift shop. Requires a warm, professional public presence and customer-service orientation, as well as the ability to communicate clearly and effectively with staff, volunteers and visitors. Training is provided.

• Special Event Volunteer - assists staff at occasional evening and weekend programs and off-site events. Volunteers greet guests, monitor program attendance, help serve refreshments, and perform other duties as needed.

• Program Volunteer - assists staff with programs for children and adults that inspire an understanding and appreciation for the rich maritime heritage of the Lower Cape Fear region.
  
• Building/Grounds Maintenance - assists staff with light housekeeping duties and/or light yard work.

If you would like to become a volunteer, please download and print a Southport Volunteer Registration Form and return it to the Museum.

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Help out at the Oyster Festival

Volunteer for a shift at the Coastal Federation’s education display at the NC Oyster Festival on Ocean Isle on Saturday October 20th and Sunday 21st, 2012. This is a fun festival, and it is a great opportunity to showcase their work and recruit more volunteers and members. They are seeking volunteers to staff a shift at a tent for 2-3 hours between 10:00 am and 5:00 pm on Saturday or Sunday. To register for a shift or find out more information please contact Ted Wilgis - SE Region Coastal Education Coordinator at (910) 509-2838 or tedw@nccoast.org.

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Help beautify Fort Fisher grounds

Bring a friend and come to Park Day 2012 at Fort Fisher for a clean up event on Saturday, March 31st. 

Now in its 16th year, Park Day is an event created by the Civil War Trust to help in maintenance of the nation's important Civil War sites.  It is recognized by the US Dept of the Interior as part of the "Take Pride in America" event. 

Everyone over age 10 is welcome.  Clubs, youth groups, friends, individuals - all ability levels - are invited to participate.  They will receive lunch provided by the Friends of Fort Fisher.

Come out for a good cause at an important historic attraction in our community.  More info here.


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Become a Master Gardener volunteer!

Learn more about gardening, share your knowledge and have fun by becoming a Master Gardener Volunteer. Master Gardener Volunteers are people who enjoy gardening and want to share their passion and knowledge with others.

Master Gardeners volunteer with their local Cooperative Extension’s horticulture outreach program to share sustainable gardening information with people in their community. The first step to becoming a Master Gardener is to attend Master Gardener training.

Pender County Cooperative Extension is now accepting applicants to their 2011 Master Gardener training course, which begins August 16th. To find out more about the Master Gardener Program, download an application and training schedule, visit  or contact Charlotte Glen by calling 910-259-1235 or email charlotte_glen@ncsu.edu.

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Certify your backyard garden as wildlife-friendly

The National Wildlife Federation offers a program to recognize homeowners for creating havens for neighborhood wildlife in their very own yards. These individuals have provided the essential elements for healthy and sustainable wildlife habitats and have earned the distinction of being part of National Wildlife Federation's Certified Wildlife Habitat™ program.

When you certify with your application fee of $20, you'll receive all these great benefits:
* A personalized certificate that recognizes your NWF Certified Wildlife Habitat™.
* A free NWF membership which includes a full year's subscription to the award-winning National Wildlife® magazine and 10% off all NWF catalog purchases.
* A free subscription to the quarterly e-newsletter, Habitats, full of insightful tips and information on gardening and attracting wildlife year after year.
* Your name listed in NWF's National registry of certified habitats...to recognize all you've done for wildlife.

And, once you complete your application, you'll be eligible to purchase the Certified Wildlife Habitat™ yard sign that shows your commitment to conserving wildlife. All you need to do is provide elements from each of the following areas:
* Food Sources - For example: Native plants, seeds, fruits, nuts, berries, nectar
* Water Sources - For example: Birdbath, pond, water garden, stream * Places for Cover - For example: Thicket, rockpile, birdhouse
* Places to Raise Young - For example: Dense shrubs, vegetation, nesting box, pond
* Sustainable Gardening - For example: Mulch, compost, rain garden, chemical-free fertilizer

For more information, call 1-800-822-9919 or email info@nwf.org

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Put your boots on and get your hands dirty

The NC Coastal Federation operates the Habitat Restoration and Education Program to restore and preserve some of our most threatened environments, including wetlands and oysters, while also increasing people’s appreciation for the value and beauty our coastal habitats.

Whether growing marsh grass seedlings, bagging shells to build new oyster reefs or offering information through workshops, we believe hands-on restoration is the first step in becoming an active steward in protecting our coast.

North Carolina contains the largest estuarine system of any Atlantic Coast state. This 2.3 million acre network of habitats provides productive and diverse habitats for finfish, shellfish, and other wildlife, and recreation for millions of people. The federation and various partners have been working to help restore the Lockwood Folly River in Brunswick County. Residents of River Run Plantation near Sunset Harbor, master gardeners and other volunteers planted two rain gardens to reduce the flow of polluted runoff that enters the river.

So volunteer, get a little dirty and keep the habitats our natives occupy healthy and thriving for them.


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Cape Fear Museum needs you!

Volunteers at the museum help with educational programs, management of the collections, store operations and customer service. In 2009, volunteers gave more than 5,000 hours of service to Cape Fear Museum, a value of more than $85,000. The volunteer corps helps make Museum exhibits and programming possible.

Volunteer benefits include:
~ 10% discount in the Museum Store
 ~ Invitations to volunteer field trips
~ Subscription to the Museum newsletter Cape Fear Stories
 ~ Invitation to annual volunteer appreciation reception

For more information, or to volunteer, call 910.798.4366, or contact the Volunteer Coordinator here.

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Citizen scientists are important to Audubon programs

Birders all over the world act as citizen scientists by observing birds and submitting their observations to bird research projects being undertaken by organizations like the National Audubon Society.

Some of these volunteer citizen scientists are “hardcore” birders who participate in long-term censuses like the Breeding Bird Survey. But beginning or amateur birders also contribute to science by participating in projects such as the Christmas Bird Count or the Great Backyard Bird Count.

Volunteers play a key role in acting as a global network for conservation researchers. Below are just a few upcoming Citizen Science projects open to volunteer birders.

If you would like to stay informed about future Citizen Science opportunities, please sign up to receive the Audubon NC e-newsletter by signing up at our Action Center.

American Oystercatcher Study

Rusty Blackbird Hotspot Blitz – Saturday, January 29 – February 13, 2011

Great Backyard Bird Count – February 18 – 21

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Join the Aquarium's volunteer group and have fun at the same time!

Adult volunteers commit to a minimum of 8-10 hours each month for six months. Due to the training that is required for some departments, volunteers are encouraged to stay on for a full year. Several options are available: education, horticulture, divers, aquariology, operations, special events.

Education Volunteers act as exhibit interpreters, educate through smart carts and presentations, and facilitate classroom crafts. They must enjoy working with people! Excellent customer service skills are a must.

Horticulture Volunteers assist with plant care. Horticulture volunteers should have a basic knowledge of plant care and be willing to get wet and occasionally dirty.

Certified Dive Volunteers assist with routine cleaning and maintenance of exhibits. After training, some volunteers present popular education programs to audiences at our daily Dive Shows. Dive volunteers must be scuba-certified, in good health, and have proof of a recent physical. Potential divers must be at least 18 years of age and must successfully complete a swim test, an underwater skills test, and a husbandry practicum.

* How to Join the Team
* Appearance
* Diving Procedures for Volunteer Divers (pdf)

Aquariology Volunteers assist in general maintenance of both freshwater and saltwater exhibits. They must be willing to get wet and dirty.

Operations Volunteers ensure both the facility and grounds are safe, clean, and in a pleasant condition. This includes helping with repairs, maintenance, modifications, and installation of mechanical systems. Operations volunteers must be hard workers, dependable, and have experience in engineering and electrical work.

Special Events Volunteers assist with organizing, set up, and break down of big events including Trick or Treat Under the Sea, weddings, and receptions. Special Events volunteers must be physically able to work and lift some heavy materials.

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