Volunteer to #keepABNCwild

By joining this unique volunteer community, you will have a direct impact on the quality of coastal water, the preservation of biodiversity, and helping people reconnect with nature. 

As a thank you, Armand Bayou Nature Center extends the following benefits to volunteers:

  • Continuing Education & Learning Opportunities

  • Monthly Volunteer Meetings & Guest Speakers

  • Volunteer Appreciation Dinner & yearly awards

  • A chance to help actively plan and develop our programs and projects

ABNC’s volunteer community is unique in that our Volunteer Board and members have an active role in our organization. They often work hand-in-hand with our staff to help serve our mission. 

We hope that by volunteering at ABNC, you develop friendships with members of our diverse community of volunteers. Most of all, we hope you have fun in the process!

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

Below is a summary of our regular activities where you can help out. We are continually developing our existing programs and actively working to expand them. If you have talents and skills that you would like to put to use and you do not see an activity below that quite fits those talents - let us know! We want to help you find your niche and are happy to help you build a place at ABNC.

IMG_0645.JPG

Education

ABNC's EcoEducation Programs serve students from preschool through college in an outdoor setting with hands-on engaging activities focused in the areas of science and nature. Training is typically offered on the job with specialized training offered throughout the year.

  • EcoEducation: all classes and field trips based on a variety of topics including but not limited to wetlands, prairie, forest, reptiles, mammals, insects, etc.

    • Weekly classes on Wed. & Fri. (follows the CCISD calendar)

    • Summer, Spring, & Winter Camp

    • School & Adult field trip classes

    • Paid Outreaches

  • Scouts: leading Scout groups through a variety of nature topics

abnc farm demonstration.jpg

Visitor Services

Training is typically offered on the job; area specific training offered annually for some areas.

  • Front Office & Weekend Greeters: Help our front office staff with managing admissions and greeting guests, or help out with other front office tasks like answering the phone and light data entry.

  • Sustainability Series (in development): Help show and teach guests of special workshops and classes how to transform city-life and urban living so that it is more sustainable and in harmony with our local ecology.

  • Arts & Crafts(in development):  Donate your time and talents to create crafts to sell in our Martyn & Sons General Store during the Martyn Farm Harvest Festival. Work from home or at the center.

  • Community Outreaches: spread the word about the Armand Bayou and our mission, our wildlife & habitats, and help recruit other volunteers. You will receive emails from our Outreach Team Volunteer Coordinator about upcoming events that need volunteers.

  • Interpretive Trail Guide: Enhance our visitors’ experience of discovery on our trails; conduct informative and entertaining (often scripted) tours as a weekend trail guide during the day or during the night. We offer weekend day hikes at 10am and 2pm. Night Hikes include Owl Prowl, Firefly Hikes, Bat Hikes, Photo Hikes.

  • Interpretative Natural History Demonstrators: Introduce visitors to native wildlife and habitats through the use of specimens or live animals and educational materials.

  • Cultural History Demonstrators & Interpretative Guides: Walk visitors through our on-site farm house and farm life circa 1895, or demonstrate farm activities like butter making, rope making, candle making, sewing & embroidery, and yarn dolls.  

  • Kayaks: Help guide folks explore the Armand Bayou stream on one seater kayaks. Training is required.

20180413-LBf_9538 (1).jpg

Stewardship

  • Prairie Friday: Help restore the prairie by potting and planting native plants and forbs every Friday, rain or shine. You do not need to attend every Friday.

  • Stewardship Saturdays: Whether it is trail trimming, planting in our prairie, or treating invasive species, there is always something to do on the 1st & 3rd Saturday of each month.

  • Monthly Bird Count: Help ABNC volunteers and folks from the Houston Audubon Society count birds every 2nd Saturday of the month.

Blanket+Flowers.jpg

Facilities

  • Facilities: Join the crew that works behind the scenes to help keep this place running. Our facility crew really does it all and keeps the nature center in good repair. 

  • Guardians of the Gardens: Help pull weeds, place mulch, and plant flowers to keep our gardens looking attractive and productive.

    • Weekday and Weekend opportunities available.

      • Rain & Pollinator Garden

      • McGovern Children’s Discovery Area

      • Farm House Garden

      • Farm Vegetable Garden

20171112-LFBg_1296.jpg

Special Events

  • Assist by helping with or coordinating ABNC's annual events such as Martyn Farm Harvest Festival, and Creepy Crawlers. Check out our events page to learn more about our events to see which one fits your interests and talents.