Listed below are some of the job classifications for volunteers at the RGNCSP.  We offer opportunities for volunteers to work outdoors or indoors, to be on their feet or seated, to work with the public or behind-the-scenes.  Each job is different but all require the following:

•   Initial training, a period of shadowing veteran volunteers, and participation in   continuing training opportunities.

•   A commitment to fellow volunteers to appear at the scheduled time and place for work.

•   The ability and desire to share knowledge with others.

 
Naturalist Educator
Learn about the Middle Rio Grande Bosque ecosystem and share your
knowledge with park visitors.  Positions include:

• School Group Guide:  Lead K-12 school groups in various activities including walks through the bosque, aquatic  invertebrate study at the Discovery Pond, trunk programs, and bird walks.  Dates and times are usually on weekdays between 9:30 a.m. and 2 p.m.

• Outreach Educator: Take the Nature Center's travelling trunks - biofacts and activities related to birds, mammals, reptiles and amphibians, arthropods, bosque ecology, cottonwoods, and geology - to schools, scout meetings, senior centers, and civic centers.

• Booth Guide:  Introduce the Nature Center to visitors at off-site locations such as public libraries, the State Fair, and the Festival of the Cranes; show booth visitors biofacts (skins, skulls, feathers, etc.) and talk to them about the bosque ecosystem

• Bird Walk Guide:   Lead year-round Saturday and Sunday morning bird walks.

• Nature Walk Guide:  Lead year-round Sunday nature walks.

• Twilight Hike Guide:  Lead monthly after-hours walks through the bosque at dusk on or near the date of the full moon.

Front Desk
Greet people as they arrive in the Visitor Center; help visitors find answers to their questions about the Rio Grande Nature Center, the Middle Rio Grande Bosque ecosystem, the Friends of the RGNC, and New Mexico State Parks in general; answer the phone and direct calls to staff; sell Friends of the RGNC memberships; sign up attendees for various programs; process registrations for summer classes.

 Nature Shop Salesperson
Sell merchandise including books, jewelry, tee shirts, cards, bird feeders, and other nature-related items in the Friends of the RGNC Nature Shop.  Answer questions about the park and the bosque.

 Gardener
Maintain the park's gardens - The Main Garden south of the Visitor Center and Mariposaville south of the parking lot.  Answer questions about plant life of the park and about native and xeric gardening in the Albuquerque area.
 
Special Events Worker
Help plan and produce the Friends' signature events:  Herbfest in May, Summer Wings in August, and the Winter Bird and Bat Festival in January.  Staff these and other special park-wide events and occasions.
 
Research Assistant
Assist in ongoing studies of water quality, bird populations, and changing plant and animal communities in the Rio Grande Silvery Minnow Channel.
 
Administration
Help with behind-the-scenes work in park and Friends offices:  data entry, mailings, phone tree, filing, organizing and processing memberships, and maintaining the park's library and educational materials.
 
General Maintenance
Work outdoors assisting park staff with tasks including trail watch, maintenance of outdoor structures and systems (and occasionally constructing new ones), and keeping bird feeders clean and filled.
 
Commitment
We ask that volunteers commit to 50 hours per year but these hours can be completed when you wish:  one hour per week, a 3-4 hour shift per month, 7-8 full days throughout the year, or hours worked during a particular season or for a particular event.  Except for the dates noted on the home page, the Rio Grande Nature Center State Park is open every day and sometimes in the evening.  We can accommodate your schedule!

Friends of the Rio Grande Nature Center
344-7240

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