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 Become a Hawk Mountain Sanctuary Volunteer
A Hawk Mountain volunteer is enthusiastic, conscientious, helpful, and a person of environmental concern.
Hawk Mountain is fortunate to have more than 200 volunteers who assist with education programs and the day-to-day operations at the Sanctuary. Please consider becoming a part of the dedicated corps that keeps the first refuge for birds of prey running as a world-class organization.
Volunteers receive invitations to social events and field trips, four issues of VOL NEWS, special discounts, and the satisfaction of furthering the mission of an internationally recognized wildlife refuge.
For more information, contact Susan Wolfe, Director of Volunteers at wolfe@hawkmountain.org or 610-756-6000 x 206 for application form.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES (click for more information):
Education
Visitor Services
Office Support
Buildings, Grounds
Research
Education - Spring and fall (training required)
- Raptor Challenge - Present or assist with programs to third and fifth graders in Bethlehem, Allentown, Reading and Tamaqua classrooms during fall, and field trips in spring; weekdays
- Weekend programs - Present live raptor* and raptor-related programs to visitors
- Group introductions - Present history of Hawk Mountain and overview of migration dynamics to visiting student and public groups; weekdays
- Native Plant Garden Tours - Inform visitors about using native plants on their property to benefit wildlife and the environment; weekends
*Opportunities to handle live birds may be available to volunteers who are at least 18 years of age and complete a training and apprentice period.
Visitor Services - March through November; especially September through November during fall migration season
- Bookstore - (all year) Assist bookstore staff with merchandise/membership sales; provide information to visitors (training required).
- Information/Hospitality - Provide information about all aspects of Sanctuary, i.e., membership, facilities, trails, etc.; indoors, but outdoor option on fall weekends (training required)
- Keeper of the Gate - Check member cards and tickets; promote and sell memberships; provide information to visitors at trail entrance (training required).
- Parking/traffic control - Special events and fall weekends; direct arriving visitors and provide basic information
Office Support - All year, mostly weekdays
- General Office - Copying, filing, and miscellaneous tasks for administration, education, and research
- Mailings - General membership services i.e., folding, collating, stuffing envelopes on designated dates
- Data Entry/Computer - Entering general and scientific data, knowledge of WORD and Excel beneficial
Buildings, garden and grounds maintenance - Spring and summer weekends and weekdays
- Native Plant Garden - Mostly weekdays; knowledge of native plants or must work with knowledgeable and experienced volunteers
- Invasive plant control - Remove invasive exotic plants, i.e., Garlic Mustard, Asian Stilt Grass, Barberry, Honeysuckle, etc; good project for volunteer groups
- Grounds/Trails - General maintenance of property and trails; most trail work is done in spring
Research - All year, mostly weekdays
- Biological survey - Spring, summer and winter, usually early morning; knowledge of birds and their songs is required.
- Data management - assist staff with research data
Miscellaneous - Occasionally as needed
- Library - Maintain small library in Visitor Center
- Photography - Our need for specifics is sporadic; but we always need candid shots of volunteers at work and visitors.
- Graphic design - Design posters, brochures, etc.
Raptor Care - Daily, year round (lengthy/ongoing training is required for volunteers who can make a long-term commitment).
- Includes feeding raptors, mews maintenance, cleaning cages
- In winter, shoveling snow, removing and replacing frozen water dishes, and cindering the walkways to the mews. Someone with banding experience could help with coping, or putting anklets on birds
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