Ways to Get Involved
Make a difference by volunteering. Volunteers play a vital role in helping the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service meet its conservation goals. Volunteers help serve the nearly 50 million people who visit public lands managed by the Service each year.
Volunteering
The Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) Complex welcomes volunteers in a variety of areas and on all of our refuges. Individual volunteers must be at least 16 years old (with parental permission).
How do I become a volunteer?
Review the "What kinds of work can Volunteers do?" section below. Volunteer opportunities at Sacramento NWR Complex vary by season and are posted on Volunteer.gov.
As of June 1, 2026, Sacramento NWR Complex is currently accepting applications for Visitor Center Volunteer (Sept-March).
For more volunteering opportunities at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service around the country, visit https://www.fws.gov/volunteer-opportunity and apply directly on Volunteer.gov .
What kinds of work can Volunteers do at the Sacramento NWR Complex?
| Type of role | Time of year | Description of responsibilities |
|---|---|---|
| Front Desk | Year-round, but mainly September-April | Welcome visitors, provide orientation for wildlife viewing and activities in the Visitor Center |
| Interpreter | October-March | Provide interpretation for visitors on walking trails, auto tour park-and-stretch areas, and observation decks |
| Environmental Education | October-March | Assist with education programs for school groups, families, and adults |
| Outreach | Mainly fall and winter | Assist with special events including festivals and fairs |
| Hunt Program Support | August-February | Maintain hunting facilities, clean and/or install signs, clean and maintain hunting blinds and islands, help answer and respond to hunting-specific phone calls. |
| Kiosk Maintenance | Year-round | Clean and restock kiosks and brochure racks |
| Bird Feeders | Not currently available | Clean and restock feeders at the Visitor Center (Sacramento NWR) |
| Native Plant Garden | Not currently available | Weed, water and replant garden at Visitor Center (Sacramento NWR) |
| Photography | Year-round | Photograph wildlife and habitat on the refuges for use on the Complex website and social media (NOTE: photography equipment is not provided) |
| Type of role | Time of year | Description of responsibilities |
|---|---|---|
| Facilities Maintenance | Year-round | Maintain facilities around the buildings, parking lots and trails by weed-eating, painting, grounds-keeping and doing small construction tasks |
| Vehicle/Heavy Equipment Maintenance | Year-round | Supporting staff in the upkeep of vehicles and heavy equipment |
| Heavy Equipment Operation | April-October | Mow, spray, and disk to maintain refuge habitats (NOTE: This requires special training and/or certifications) |
| Trail Maintenance, Other | Not currently available | Supporting staff in the repair of trails or habitat restoration efforts |
| Type of role | Time of year | Description of responsibilities |
|---|---|---|
| Wood Duck Nest Boxes | Not currently available | Clean and prepare wood duck boxes in January-February; monitor for nest productivity every 2-4 weeks from March-August; repair and replace boxes after nesting season. |
| Various | Not currently available | Assist with bird banding, plant studies, and airboat surveys (limited opportunities) |
Housing for Interns and Winter Residential Volunteers
There is limited housing available on the Complex in a bunkhouse and RV pads for interns and volunteers. Residential volunteers must work at least 3-4 months and 20+ hours per week. RV pads have water, electric, and propane. We do not have sewage but cover the cost to get trailers dumped once per week. The bunkhouse has laundry, a double kitchen, wireless internet, and restrooms available for all residents.
Our Partners
Friends of the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge
The Friends of Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge was formed in early 2020 by a group of individuals passionate about the Sacramento NWR Complex who recognize the importance of the Complex to the region as well as the ongoing need for additional resources. Their mission is to work in partnership with the Sacramento NWR Complex and the public to maintain and expand wildlife observation, education and all forms of recreational opportunities to a broader audience in this important asset of the Central Valley of Northern California.
Find out more about how you can help on the Friends of Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge website , or check out their Facebook page.