Ways to Get Involved
Whether you want to further conservation, learn more about nature or share your love of the outdoors, you’ve come to the right place. National wildlife refuges provide many opportunities for you to help your community by doing what you love. National wildlife refuges partner with volunteers, youth groups, landowners, neighbors and residents of urban and rural communities to make a lasting difference. Find out how you can help make American lands healthier and communities stronger while doing something personally satisfying.
Volunteering
Discover for yourself what tens of thousands of volunteers have learned: Volunteering for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is fun and rewarding in many ways. Master new skills. Meet new friends. Enjoy a sense of accomplishment from doing your part to further wildlife conservation for the pleasure of generations to follow.
We generally need help with maintenance and construction projects, biological surveys, and occasionally environmental education programs. All volunteers are expected to sign a volunteer agreement and commit to the minimum required hours of volunteer work individually, or in combination with a group. Individual volunteers will need to commit to at least 40 hours of volunteer work, or be part of a group that will provide a combined 40 hours of labor. Two RV sites are available for volunteers interested in committing to a minimum of two months. All utilities and hook up are provided for a 24 (couple) or 32 (single) hour per week commitment. For information on current volunteer opportunities, email the refuge or call the office at 979-205-5862.
Our Partners
Partnerships with the Refuge System bring innovative approaches to solving land management issues in the most protective manner. Scientifically-informed and technologically-based stewardship of our public lands, water, wildlife and special places must be a collaborative effort between the Refuge System, private landowners and organizations, and other government agencies if conservation efforts are to succeed.
Some partnership efforts of the Attwater Prairie Chicken National Wildlife Refuge and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service include:
- Fossil Rim Wildlife Center
- Houston Zoo
- Caldwell Zoo
- Sutton Avian Research Center
- Texas Nature Conservancy
- Texas AgriLife Extension Service
- Costal Prairie Conservancy
Friends of Attwater Prairie Chicken Refuge
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service provides support and guidance to almost 200 Friends partnerships nationwide and facilitates the formation of new partnerships at all staffed refuges or refuge complexes. Training, mentoring, networking and skill-building opportunities build group capacity while fostering individual growth.
A Friends partnership is made up of a 501(c)(3) nonprofit Friends organization and a refuge or complex of refuges. The partnership is formalized in a Friends Partnership Agreement. All refuge Friends organizations share the same primary mission: the support of a refuge, complex of refuges or program of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
The mission of the Friends of Attwater Prairie Chicken Refuge is to assist, enhance and promote the refuge’s goal of recovering the endangered Attwater’s Prairie-Chicken and restoring native coastal prairie for the benefit of present and future generations. This non-profit organization plays an important role supporting many of the refuge’s efforts, including the annual Attwater’s Prairie Chicken Festival and other special events. Friends members help with outreach and education, as well as grant writing, merchandise sales and volunteer coordination. To learn more about our the Friends of Attwater Prairie Chicken Refuge, become a member or donate, visit their website.
Education Programs
Open the door to a potentially life-changing experience. If you land a student internship or a fellowship at a national wildlife refuge national wildlife refuge
A national wildlife refuge is typically a contiguous area of land and water managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for the conservation and, where appropriate, restoration of fish, wildlife and plant resources and their habitats for the benefit of present and future generations of Americans.
Learn more about national wildlife refuge , fish hatchery or other U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service site, you’re bound to come away with new insights and excitement about conservation.
American Conservation Experience
American Conservation Experience (ACE) is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing rewarding environmental service opportunities for youth, young adults, and emerging professionals of all backgrounds to explore and improve public lands while gaining practical professional experience. At the refuge, ACE internships are available every year to assist our wildlife biologists in work such as wildlife surveys, prairie-chicken research and monitoring, and invasive vegetation control. Hear some insight from past interns on their experience in this video (audio described version) by Claire Hassler.
The Directorate Fellows Program (DFP)
DFP is a Direct Hire Authority Program that includes an 11-week Fellowship project for current students at the rising senior undergraduate or graduate school level. Upon successful completion of the Fellowship program, along with degree conferral, participants may be directly appointed without competition to full time, permanent positions.
Contact the refuge at ashlyn_cooper@fws.gov to ask about internship opportunities.