Outdoors & Recreation
Help keep your parks beautiful, preserve natural resources and connect visitors to nature by volunteering with Parks & Recreation. Most positions are based at Tamarack Nature Center in White Bear Township. View the current openings below.
Tamarack opportunities
Junior Assistant Naturalists (JANs)
June, July, August 2023
Ages 14-17 (must be age 14 by Sept. 1, 2023)
Applications due April 22, 2023.
Junior Assistant Naturalists (JANs) are important members of the Tamarack summer day camp team. Like a camp counselor, they serve as fun, friendly companions, and mentors to our younger participants. JANs assist with all aspects of day camp including preparing activities, leading games, and helping supervise campers to make sure everyone has a fun and safe experience.
- Assist with summer day camp programs.
- Get hands-on experience working with children in nature.
- Gain valuable leadership skills.
- Fulfill school service requirements.
- Make new friends!
Training dates
Wednesday, June 14 - 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Thursday, June 15 - 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Apply
Application deadline: April 23, 2023
Email [email protected] for more information.
Animal care
Animal care volunteers provide daily care for the exhibit and education animals of Tamarack Nature Center. Main duties include feeding, care and basic maintenance of the animals and their habitats. Animal care volunteers sometimes interact with the public when working with the animals, and they will also be asked to assist with occasional public programs and larger cleaning projects related to the animals.
Age requirement: Adults, youth ages 14-17, and age 12-13 with an adult
Time commitment: Volunteers complete 2-4 shifts per month. Each shift is 30-60 minutes. Weekday and weekend shifts are available. There is a six-month minimum commitment required for this position.
Frog & Toad Survey
Listen for frog and toad calls at various wetlands on the nature center property. Volunteer in small groups to identify species call belongs to and the share observations with team and record for the Association of Zoos & Aquariums FrogWatch USA database.
Ages: Adults (18 and older); youth ages 16-17 with an adult.
Time commitment: March through July; attend scheduled survey days. Surveys began at sunset and last 1-2 hours each time. Weekday evenings.
Training: Provided on-the-job and at kick-off meeting. Season kickoff meeting and training is scheduled for Thursday, March 16, 5:30 to 7 p.m.
Requirements: All experience levels, including beginners, are welcome. Approximately one mile of walking -- accommodation can be made.
Garden volunteer
The garden season begins in early spring with indoor seed planting and continues through early November, when the garden is put to bed for winter. Garden volunteers work on a variety of tasks including planting, weeding, watering, harvesting, mulching, composting, speaking with the public and packaging surplus produce for the White Bear Lake Area Food Shelf. Volunteers may also be asked to assist with garden-related public programs, school programs and day camps as needed.
Age requirement: Adults (18 and older); youth ages 14-17; age 12-13 with an adult.
Time commitment: April through October; attend scheduled work days on Wednesdays from 9:30 to 11:30 or be trained to be an independent garden volunteer and make your own schedule; 1-3 hours each time; weekday and weekend work is available.
Training: Provided on-the-job by Tamarack staff gardener. Season kickoff meeting and training is scheduled for Saturday, April 8, 10 a.m.-noon.
Requirements: All experience levels including beginners are welcome. Applicant must be able to bend, dig, lift and carry light loads; be willing to get their hands dirty; and be eager to share their knowledge and work with visitors of all ages.
Naturalist volunteer (school and group programs)
Weekdays at Tamarack are filled with young students visiting for fun, educational programs, and volunteers are important members of the teaching team that work with groups. Naturalist Volunteers are trained to facilitate specific aspects of our school programs for groups, like making apple cider, netting insects in the prairie, or dipping for critters in the lake. Volunteers have the chance to gain valuable confidence and skills that will transfer to new programs in the future by doing the same activities repeatedly. Volunteers commit to one season at a time for three or more weekday shifts (2-6 hours) per season. Background check required.
Ages: Adult 18+
Time commitment: Volunteers commit to one full season at a time (spring, summer, fall, winter) and work three or more shifts per season. Each shift is 2-6 hours. Only weekday shifts are available.
Training: Volunteers will be trained at the beginning of each season on select programs like school programs or maple syrup school programs.
Requirements: Volunteers must be available during the weekdays and enjoy working with young students in a group setting, especially preschoolers and early elementary grades. Volunteers should have the ability to communicate with young children and adapt appropriately in a dynamic setting and a willingness to lead or co-lead a small group of students through a lesson or activity (or willingness to learn how to lead).
Call (651) 266-0365 or email [email protected] to apply!
Pollinators Protector
Tamarack is home to many pollinators that help provide a crucial part in the continuation of tamarack’s natural environment. Pollinators benefit when there is space and resources for them to be successful. This position will assist in the preservation of non-invasive plants in our garden, discover hollow, prairies, and other spaces at Tamarack. Volunteers will also work to increase resources for pollinators like spaces for homes, water sources, and pollinator friendly green spaces. This position will benefit not only native pollinators but also our honey bees! In addition, we hope to provide time for the public to engage and learn about pollinators through drop-in discovery time and educational signage.
Ages: Adults (18 and older); youth ages 14-17; age 12-13 with an adult.
Time commitment: April through October; attend scheduled work days on Thursdays and some Saturdays. Season kickoff meeting and training is scheduled for Saturday, April 15, 10 a.m. to noon.
Requirements: Open to all experience levels, including beginners. Volunteers should be able to bend, dig, lift and carry light loads, and have a willingness to get hands dirty and share their knowledge and work with visitors of all ages.
View all available volunteer positions (PDF) at Tamarack Nature Center, by season.
Group volunteer opportunities
Tamarack Nature Center
Contact the Volunteer Coordinator or 651-266-0360.
Other opportunities through Parks & Recreation
Contact Thony Thao or 651-266-0300.