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Contact
Address
903 Tenth Street SW
Albuquerque, NM 87102
Phone: 311 locally or (505) 768-2000
Fax: (505) 764-6281
Email: biopark@cabq.gov
Smoking is prohibited on all BioPark property.
Albuquerque BioPark Volunteer Program
The volunteers of Albuquerque Biological Park Education make many programs at the BioPark possible. Education could not carry out its mission of teaching about life and encouraging conservation without the generous work of volunteers.
No specialized knowledge is necessary to become a volunteer. BioPark staff will teach you everything you need to know in the training sessions. We ask that you bring your enthusiasm, a commitment to conservation, a sense of responsibility and patience. Experienced volunteers and staff are available to assist you after training, and monthly volunteer meetings keep you up-to-date.
Benefits vary with positions, but generally include free admission to all BioPark facilities (the Zoo, Aquarium and Botanic Garden) during regular daytime hours and discounts at the food and gift concessions.
Want to know more? Join us for Summer Volunteer Orientation on Saturday, May 17th from 11:00am-12:00noon in the Rio Grande Zoo Colores Building!
We will share information about the various positions available during summer months and you will have the chance to meet experienced volunteers as well.
Ages 14 and up: BioPark Nature Guides - summer position |
Ages 16 and up: Conservation Camp Counselor - summer position |
Ages 18 and up:
BioPark Nature Guides - Summer Position
BioPark Nature Guides staff our summer discovery areas at the zoo, aquarium, and botanic garden. Adults can serve as Nature Guide Captains. Shark teeth, porcupine quills, and secret plant smells are just a few of the interesting items used to excite visitors about nature.
Age requirement: 14 and up
Minimum time commitment: One three-hour shift per week
Training dates: June 2 and 3, 9:30am-3:30pm both days OR June 27, 9:30am-3:30pm
Conservation Camp Counselors - Summer Position
Conservation Camp Counselors are paired with a lead teacher and assist them with the daily operation of a Camp BioPark class at the zoo, aquarium or garden. Teens who are able to commit to at least two full weeks of the summer assisting with camp will love this job!
Age requirement: 16 and up
Minimum time commitment: Two full weeks (Monday through Friday)
Training dates: June 4, 9:30am-12noon
Greeters
Greeters act as hosts and hostesses for BioPark visitors. They help explain what visitors can expect to see, help them plan their visit, answer questions and provide friendly customer service. Greeters also help orient school groups. Greeters may choose to train and work at the Zoo or at the Aquarium/Botanic Garden.
Age requirement: 16 and up
Minimum time commitment: 60 hours per year
Training dates:
Zoo Greeters -June 19, 9:30am-1:00pm
Aquarium/Garden Greeters - June 17, 9:30am-1:00pm
Horticulture Volunteers
Horticulture Volunteers assist the BioPark horticulture staff with routine garden maintenance and special plant projects. Teens (age 16 or older) and adults can work on weekdays at the botanic garden, zoo or in the greenhouses. No gardening experience necessary! This is a great way to increase your plant knowledge and practical gardening skills. For more information, please call (505) 764-6245.
Age requirement: 16 and up
Minimum time commitment: 60 hours per year
Training dates: Wednesday, May 21 or June 18, 9:30am-12noon
High School Mentorship/Internship
The BioPark Education Mentorship/Internship program is designed to give teens the opportunity to teach visitors about nature while getting practical work experience in a fast-paced, dynamic environment. Duties may include assisting with educational classes, helping generate new teaching props, setting up and breaking down equipment for workshops, researching information about new species, creating and distributing flyers about upcoming programs and general office work.
Age requirement: 16 and up
Minimum time commitment: Six hours per week.
Training dates: N/A
Docent (Volunteer Teacher)
Docents undergo a rigorous science-based training. The training includes lectures, fieldwork, reading, a group project and a final exam. Training occurs each fall on either Thursdays or Saturdays. Docents give 60 hours or more to the BioPark each year.
Volunteer Open House: Date to be announced.
Location: Aquarium/Garden Education Building
Time: 5:00 pm
Volunteer Orientation: Date to be announced.
Location: Colores Ed. Building at the Zoo
Time: 11:00 am
After graduating, docents may choose one of many different volunteer roles at the Zoo, Aquarium and Botanic Garden. They can interact with visitors on grounds through tours, talks and discovery stations.
There are also many specialty programs, including the following:
- Zoo-To-You Van – visits all of NM with Zoo animals and lessons
- Ocean Tank Narration – gives information about daily fish feeding in shark tank
- Flower Power Discovery Station – teaches children about flower structure and function
- Alpaca and llama walking – gives Zoo visitors a chance to come into close contact with live animals.
- Tingley Guides – after a special training, docents are able to work at Tingley Beach and in the adjacent bosque giving tours, interacting with visitors and teaching discovery stations. This program is still being developed during spring 2006.
Age requirement: 18 and up
Minimum time commitment: 60 hours per year
Training dates: Saturdays in fall 2008; exact dates to be announced.
Aquarium Touchpooler Teens - Summer Position
Teenagers, 16 years and older, teach with hands-on invertebrates in the Aquarium at the Touchpool. Introduce visitors to horseshoe crabs, horse conchs, sea urchins and other fascinating marine animals.
Minimum time commitment: 36 hours per summer
Training date: Saturday, May 31, 9:30am-3:30pm
Aquarium Touchpoolers
Touchpool Volunteers teach about marine invertebrates and guide visitors with gentle touching of live invertebrates at the Touchpool in the Albuquerque Aquarium. The Touchpool is the only exhibit in the Aquarium that allows contact with animals and is extremely popular with visitors.
Age requirement: 18 and up
Minimum time commitment: 60 hours per year
Training date: Saturday, May 31, 9:30am-3:30pm
Tingley Beach Fishing Guide
Fishing Guides instill a sense of appreciation and respect for wildlife and the outdoors at Tingley Beach. They teach various fishing techniques, fishing etiquette and fish ecology, as well as provide general information about Tingley Beach and New Mexico's fishing rules and regulations.
Age requirement: 18 and up
Minimum time commitment: 60 hours per year
Training date: Thursday, May 22, 9:30am-3:30pm
Heritage Farm Guides
Heritage Farm Guides help visitors step back in history at the Rio Grande Botanic Garden’s Heritage Farm exhibit. The farm is representative of the 1920s and 1930s. Dressed in period costume, Farm Guides share information with visitors about agriculture, farm animals, daily farm life and traditions of the Rio Grande Valley.
Age requirement: 18 and up
Minimum time commitment: 60 hours per year.
Training date: Saturday, June 14, 9:30am-3:30pm
BioVan Rangers
BioVan Rangers support the BioVan program by helping teach about the Rio Grande at schools and special events in the Albuquerque area. Rangers may also assist with the tours and activities in the Rio Grande bosque on Fridays with the Rio Rangers.
Age requirement: 18 and up
Minimum time commitment: 60 hours per year.
Training Dates: To be announced.
Garden Railroaders
Garden Railroaders (ages 18 and up) operate and maintain the G-scale model train at the Botanic Garden and answer the public’s questions about the various trains in operation. Children and adults love this miniature railroad and Garden Railroaders help to enhance their experience.
Age requirement: 18 and up
Minimum time commitment: 36 hours per year.
Training date: Friday, June 13, 9:30am-12noon
Insect Outreach Volunteer
Insect Outreach Volunteers take the program to local schools. Incredible Insects is the Rio Grande Botanic Garden's newest classroom outreach program. (Scheduling will be scheduled based on staff availability.) The 40-minute presentation is designed for a 3rd grade level and features live arthropods and hands-on biofacts.
Age requirement: 18 and up
Minimum time commitment: 60 hours per year.
Training Dates: To be announced.