Volunteer With Spokane Audubon Society

We are not as stern as this guy apparently is, but we could use a few volunteers! Many of the tasks are short term and not difficult while others would take advantage of your skills that you enjoy doing anyway, such as creating graphics or talking to people about conservation and protecting wildlife. Others of you really don’t want to go to any meetings, but love to be outside working in the dirt planting forbes or pulling knapweed or co-leading a field trip watching ducks, photographing flowers and insects and breathing fresh air. Volunteering is often quite a bit of fun and you will meet some fantastic people too!

Here are two volunteer forms - one to download, print and mail to us and the other to fill out online and email to us. Please consider volunteering with us. We can use your help.

Volunteer Forms: Paper version - download it, print it and fill it out, then mail it via USPS.

Online version - Probably best done on a computer. Click the link, save the form to your computer, fill it out and email it.

Here are some of the ways we can use your skills and assistance:

Kestrel Nest Box builder (varies): construct wooden nest boxes to project specifications for placement in Spokane and surrounding counties. Prior woodworking skills are needed. Published to volunteer match 4/18

Kestrel Nest Box installers and monitors (5-6 survey trips March - September): install and monitor kestrel nest boxes using ladders and camera monitoring equipment

Point Count Bird Surveyor (1 or more trips per year): assist with counting birds in designated areas for long term-monitoring projects including the Sherman Creek Wildlife area (partnership with Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife), Christmas Bird Count, and other locations. More information is available on our website

Restoration Work (time commitment varies): We frequently collaborate with other organizations such as Spokane Riverkeeper, The Lands Council, Inland NW Land Conservancy, Pheasants Forever, Dishman Hills Conservancy and the WA Dept. of Fish & Wildlife to plant, weed, clean up and other activities.

Education and Outreach (2 - 5 hours per event): attend events such as festivals, farmer’s markets, and school environmental days. Engage people at Spokane Audubon’s table by discussing birds, bird habitat, the mission of Spokane Audubon and opportunities for people to get involved. Distribute flyers, information, and ask for email signups. A member of Spokane Audubon’s Board or experienced volunteer will be with you and we will provide information on the mission and projects of Spokane Audubon.

Contributor to monthly newsletter (varies): write short articles of local interest for our monthly newsletter. Topics may include but are not limited to field trip reports, conservation issues, birdwatching tips, and book reviews.

Social media assistant (1 - 2 hours per week/flexible): promote the mission and work of Spokane Audubon Society by creating content for and engaging with users on Facebook, Instagram, and Tik-tok. Topics may include facts on local birds, event announcements, legislative action opportunities, and general education on topics affecting birds. Training and guidance available

Save a Bird response team member (varies): monitor Save a Bird emails and respond to concerned parties with a phone call. Assist with capturing injured birds when indicated. Training and guidance is available.

Save a Bird transporter (varies): transport injured birds to local veterinarian in Spokane or Pullman - flexibility is allowed and mileage reimbursement is available.

Field trip leader (2+ hours per field trip): lead people of various skill levels on local birdwatching trips. Introduce newcomers to the mission of Spokane Audubon and our work. Engage participants in the joy of birdwatching and nature.

Field trip assistant (2+ hours per field trip): assist the field trip leader by distributing binoculars, collecting waiver forms and participant information, taking photographs, and engaging with participants. Expert bird skills are not required, but you must enjoy talking with people and have a passion for wildlife.

Technology assistant (2 1/2 hours/month, Sept to May): assist with setting up and running Zoom and sound system for monthly meetings (second Wednesday of the month Sept - May). Troubleshoot technical issues as they arise.

Hospitality (1 hour/month Sept - May): personally greet attendees of monthly meetings (second Wednesday of the month Sept - May) and sign them in.

Raffle assistant (30 minutes/month Sept - May): Sell raffle tickets at monthly meetings, collect donations, and draw winning tickets.

Board Member (2 year appointment): The Board of Directors (Board) provides the leadership and direction of the organization. Duties include attending monthly Board meetings (9/year + summertime retreat), voting on issues, and assisting with the financial integrity of the organization.

Book Reviewer (varies): Review and recommend titles on books that are nature, wildlife, and environmentally themed. Reviews will promote books as a way to fundraise through (our Bookshop.org shop or Aunties). We'll use your review to promote the books through our social media, newsletter, and website and encourage people to purchase the books through our shop.

Bird collision prevention: Occasionally we are called on to install window deterrents that are effective in preventing birds flying into windows (Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge headquarters, Dishman Hills Conservancy office, Doris Morrison Learning Center). Also, we stay abreast of techniques and strategies for collision prevention, give presentations on the issue and offer effective solutions for homeowners. We would like to work with the city/county on codes for bird-safe glass as well as local universities on any “killer” windows they may have. We can use the skills of volunteers for any of these activities.

Cats Indoors program: We want to develop a team of volunteers to address the issue of cats as it relates to birds and other wildlife. This will be a mostly educational effort creating brochures, posters and other materials and distributing these to stores, shelters, and veterinarians. But we also want to collaborate with the local shelters, pet stores, wild bird stores and veterinarians to reach as many cat owners, and cat foster families with educational materials on the lethality of cats (feral and domestic) on wildlife, especially birds.

Website Assistant: Learn how to add events, the Pygmy Owl, and other content to our website. We have tutorials and can train anyone who has some computer skills. Attention to detail is important with all computer work. And good communication skills are important too as the board will need someone who is responsive to our direction.

Calendar Team: distribution, judging, organizing

Graphic Designer: We occasionally need someone with computer graphics skills to help design posters and other materials.