Volunteer With Spokane Audubon Society
Do you have a passion for the environment and conservation? Spokane Audubon Society needs your help! Many of the volunteer tasks are short term and not difficult. Others need your skills that you enjoy doing anyway, such as creating graphics or talking to people about conservation and protecting wildlife. Some of you really don’t want to go to any meetings, but love to be outside breathing fresh air, working in the dirt planting plants or pulling weeds or leading a field trip, or taking photographs. You don’t need to be an expert birder - we need people from all backgrounds with various skill sets to conserve and protect the birds and habitats so many people love. 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.
Volunteer Forms
Paper version (doc) - Download it, print it, fill it out, then mail it via USPS to the address on the form.
Digital version (doc) - Download it, fill it out on your computer, then email it to the address on the form.
After submitting an application, you will receive a phone call from the Spokane Audubon Society volunteer coordinator.
Here are some of the ways we can use your skills and assistance:
Save a Bird response team member (~ 1 day per week): 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.
Kestrel Nest Box builder (time commitment varies): construct wooden nest boxes to project specifications for placement in Spokane and surrounding counties. Prior woodworking skills are needed.
Kestrel Nest Box installers and monitors (5-6 survey trips March - September): install and monitor kestrel nest boxes using ladders and camera monitoring equipment
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.
Restoration Work (time commitment varies): We frequently collaborate with other organizations to plant, weed, clean up and other activities.
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.
Outreach
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.
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.
Monthly Meetings
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.
Bird Protection
Bird collision prevention: We are developing our window strike deterrent program to help install window deterrents that are effective at preventing birds from flying into windows. 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 need volunteers to communicate the problem with homeowner groups, businesses, window washers, etc. and help coordinate the installation of window strike deterrents. Volunteers who are comfortable on ladders are needed to assist homeowners who may not be able to install strike deterrents themselves.
Cats Indoors program: We are developing a team of volunteers to address the issue of outdoor cats impact on 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 more cat owners, and cat foster families with educational materials on the lethality of cats (feral and domestic) on wildlife, especially birds.
Leadership
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, assisting with the financial integrity of the organization, and volunteering on various chapter projects.
Operations
Specialized skills (including but not limited to): Any skills that a typical business uses could help Spokane Audubon! Skills such as grant writing, fundraising, database management, and Board development will help fulfill our mission of protecting birds and their habitats in the Inland Northwest and connecting people with nature.
Customer Relations Management (CRM) advisor or manager: we are working towards transitioning to a CRM for our operations. If you have experience with a platform such as Give Butter, Little Green Light, or another CRM format we’d love to hear from you!
Website Assistant: Learn how to add events, monthly newsletters, 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. Good communication skills are important as the board needs someone who is responsive to direction.
Graphic Designer: We occasionally need someone with computer graphics skills to help design posters and other materials.
Calendar Team: help with organizing our annual member bird photo contest, including lining up judges to select photos for our annual calendar; help with calendar layout and printing details; help with distribution of on-line sales of calendars.
Contributor to monthly newsletter: 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.
