Volunteer Service

"The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others"

5 REASONS TO VOLUNTEER:

-Develop new skills
-Help a cause that lights you up!
-Meet new people
-Connect with your community
-Expand your horizons

---

Tennessee Naturalist Volunteers Make a Difference!

Our volunteers combine their diverse interests, skills, and experiences with the TNP instruction to contribute time, energy, and ideas toward making a difference in Tennessee communities!  After training, Tennessee Naturalists participate in many different types of volunteer activities such as:

• Helping state and local government agencies monitor and maintain the quality of our native ecosystems in a variety of citizen science projects.
• Work with nonprofit organizations in preserving and maintaining our state's natural heritage.
• Assist with public interpretive programs reaching adults and children throughout the state.
• And much, much more!

Volunteer Opportunities

Sponsoring organizations of TNP chapters typically have many needs for volunteers as do state and local parks, environmental non-profits, federal, state and local government agencies, and others.  We encourage our students to begin with your local chapter and community, and branch out from there to find volunteer opportunities that best suit your specific interests and schedule.  TNP also advertises volunteer needs in our quarterly newsletter.

Volunteer hours must fall within these four categories of service:

1.Environmental Education (e.g., lead guided hikes or activities, develop educational materials)

2. Citizen Science (e.g., species monitoring, bioblitz, data collection)

3. Stewardship (e.g., stream cleanups, trail maintenance, habitat restoration)

4. Administrative Support for Chapter or TNP (e.g., assist a chapter or TNP event or administration) [applicable hours limited].