Volunteer
The Wilds values the time and talents of volunteers in a wide variety of roles.
Whether helping set up for special events, greeting visitors during the busy
tour season or collecting seed for restoration ecology projects, volunteers
are an important and valued part of the Wilds' operations.
We encourage those
that have not yet visited us to do so in advance of applying to be a volunteer
at the Wilds. This way, you can gain a better understanding of our beautiful
location, the size and scope of our operation, and witness the importance of
our work first hand. Click
here for approximate mileages from regional locations
to help you plan your trip.
Below are some of the volunteer opportunities available at the Wilds:
CARNIVORE CENTER
GREETER: Hang out with the cheetahs! Welcome visitors to the Carnivore Conservation Center. Share information about the African wild dogs, cheetahs, and dholes while keeping alert to safety issues.
CONSERVATION EDUCATION AIDE: Help spread the word!Assist Conservation Education staff with a wide array of educational or interpretive tasks.
JOHNSON VISITOR CENTER GREETER: Meet people from all over Ohio, the U.S., and even the world! Welcome visitors as they arrive at the Johnson Visitor Center. Answer questions and provide information to enhance the enjoyment of visitors.
OFFICE ASSISTANT: Support the conservation work of Wilds departments. Assist staff by doing various word processing, spreadsheet, database or other computer tasks, or by filing, organizing, mailing, phone calls, clerical work - in other words - being a "right hand”!
RESTORATION ECOLOGY AIDE: Help Wilds staff repair ecological diversity to damaged landscapes. Assist restoration ecology staff in beautifying and diversifying the Wilds Butterfly Habitat and other projects through planting, weeding, seed collecting and other outdoor activities; and supporting important native planting efforts and research.
SUNSET SAFARI GREETERS: Meet our guests as sunset falls. Greet visitors as they arrive for our popular Sunset Safari program.
Some requirements for volunteering at the Wilds:
* Minimum of 18 years old
* Be a Wilds member
* Attend volunteer training sessions
Volunteers who work 20 or more hours a year are considered "active"
and are eligible to participate in the annual Volunteer Recognition
Event.
Additional benefits are based on annual hours contributed and years of
service.
The
best reward for being a Wilds volunteer is the knowledge that you are
helping to promote the mission of the Wilds, one of the premiere wildlife
conservation programs in the world.
To begin the process of becoming a Wilds volunteer, print out both of
the forms below, fill them out and return them to the address at the
bottom. Once we have received your forms, we will
contact you to begin your active volunteering.
WILDS VOLUNTEER INTEREST FORM
WILDS VOLUNTEER RELEASE OF LIABILITY FORM
Contact us at volunteer@thewilds.org
or 740-638-5030 ext. 2424 to learn more about volunteering at the Wilds.