Interested in becoming a volunteer at The Nat?

Read through the current volunteer roles below and submit an application for one or more of our volunteer programs. Our team will be in touch to schedule interviews and onboarding ahead of the fall training season.

Please note that each volunteer opportunity has different requirements for participation and training. We ask that you review these requirements and timelines to ensure you can participate prior to applying.

Docents Program: As a Docent, you can share your passion for nature and science while continuing to grow your own knowledge alongside fellow lifelong learners, educators, and naturalists. Docents play an important role in connecting students and visitors to the natural world through engaging tours at the Museum and educational outreach experiences in schools. This opportunity is a great fit if you are:

• Interested in learning about our region's past 65 million years and the current biodiversity in habitats
• Willing to share your passion and knowledge in a friendly, respectful, and welcoming way to a variety of Museum visitors, especially children

Canyoneer Program: As a Canyoneer, you will lead small-group hikes through cherished urban canyons and county parks, surrounding mountain areas, national forests, and the Anza-Borrego Desert. From coast to cactus, you will share your passion and knowledge of the plants, wildlife, and habitats that make our region unique. This opportunity is a great fit if you are:

• Comfortable hiking in a variety of terrains and temperatures
• Interested in learning about the local biodiversity including plants, insects, reptiles, and birds and the habitats, ecology, geology and Native American culture of San Diego County
• Willing to share your passion and knowledge in a friendly and welcoming way to small groups of people on a trail

Whaler Program: As a Whaler, you will inspire curiosity and care for the ocean during whale watching excursions. From helping guests spot a gray whale’s heart-shaped blow to exploring the challenges facing our marine ecosystems, Whalers help turn a day on the water into a memorable experience for visitors from around the world. This opportunity is a great fit if you are:

• Interested in learning about the biodiversity of Southern California and the Baja California Peninsula coastline, with a special focus on whales, dolphins, and other cetaceans
• Excited to share your passion and knowledge in a friendly, respectful, and welcoming way with a diverse public
• Willing to spend three hours aboard a boat in varying ocean conditions

Want to start volunteering now?

Our Naturalist Program is a great way to get involved immediately while building engagement skills that carry over to other volunteer roles across the organization. Naturalist volunteers engage with visitors using hands-on activity carts that spark curiosity about nature and science, both inside the museum and out on the Nature Trail, the native gardens surrounding The Nat.

Naturalist trainings are held every fourth Sunday at The Nat. Reserve your spot here.

While we are not currently recruiting for our science departments, we welcome inquiries from individuals with educational or professional experience in Ornithology, Mammalogy, Entomology, Herpetology, Botany, Archaeology, Paleontology, or Library Science. Click here to learn about Science Volunteers or email volunteers@sdnhm.org.