Keālia Pond National Wildlife Refuge

Who May Volunteer?

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service welcomes volunteers of all backgrounds and abilities. Volunteers may lead wildlife tours, restore habitat, conduct plant and animal surveys, help staff a refuge nature store, and so much more. While there is no age limit, anyone under 18 years of age must have written approval from a parent/guardian. Organized groups including schools, summer camps, corporate workdays, and families are also welcome.

Current Volunteer Opportunities

Visitor Center Docent

Our Visitor Center serves as the gateway to the refuge. As they are often the first person that our guests encounter, our Visitor Center docents are integral to our visitor experience. They help orient visitors to the various options for experiencing the refuge, provide directions to nature trails and other visitor facilities, help with bird and plant identification, interpret the Visitor Center exhibits, and complete sales from the Friends of Keālia Pond Nature Store.

Roving Interpretive Docent

Our roving docents roam the nature trails or position at key locations to ensure guests don’t miss any special avian visitors or other refuge highlights. They help increase public awareness and understanding of the National Wildlife Refuge System, native Hawaiian animals, plant, and other wetland, and share their knowledge and enthusiasm for the Keālia Pond and wildlife conservation. Volunteers may choose to rove at the Keālia Coastal Boardwalk located along North Kihei Road or at the Kanuimanu Ponds Wildlife Viewing Area. No experience is necessary, only a love for nature and willingness to learn and interact with guests.

Greenhouse Volunteer

Greenhouse volunteers are the foundation of our habitat restoration efforts. They collect seeds, propagate and germinate native plants, and tend to plants in the Refuge nursery until they are ready for planting in our wetlands or native dry forest restoration area. Greenhouse volunteers also assist with potting plants as well as greenhouse care and maintenance. Although our volunteers often bring experience from home gardening, refuge staff also provide additional training, as needed.

Habitat Restoration Volunteer

Habitat restoration volunteers contribute to protecting and enhancing the refuge’s native plant community. Volunteers will usually work alongside refuge staff to outplant and care for native plant species and remove invasive plants during our regular Thursday morning volunteer day. Or if they prefer, they may also choose to help maintain our native plant gardens around the Visitor Center. This is a rewarding option for volunteers looking to learn more about Hawaii’s native plants and endangered ecosystems.

Other 

Volunteers with unique skills are always needed for special projects, including carpentry, facility maintenance, graphic design, websites and social media, visual arts, or photography. If you have a special skill that you would like to offer, please let us know by filling a volunteer application.    

How to Apply? 

If you are interested in any of these volunteer positions, please submit a Volunteer Application to kealiapondnwr@fws.gov or stop by our Visitor Center during open hours. For more information please contact us at 808-875-1582.