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 coastal 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. Learn new skills, meet new friends and enjoy a sense of accomplishment from doing your part to further wildlife conservation for the pleasure of generations to follow. Check out our station's latest volunteer opportunities on volunteer.gov.
The refuge welcomes volunteers in a variety of fields and interests. Volunteers can help the refuge in the following disciplines:
Interpretation and Environmental Education
Greet visitors to the visitor center, update signs and kiosks, provide computer support, assist with educational programs and teacher orientation, lead field trips and assist with any special events.
Resource Management
Assist with wildlife surveys and water level management, help control invasive species invasive species
An invasive species is any plant or animal that has spread or been introduced into a new area where they are, or could, cause harm to the environment, economy, or human, animal, or plant health. Their unwelcome presence can destroy ecosystems and cost millions of dollars.
Learn more about invasive species and other biological activities.
Maintenance
Assist with trail maintenance, building maintenance, mowing and trimming and other construction projects.
Administration
Assist employees with answering telephones, filing, data input and other office duties.
Electric and water hook-ups are available for Volunteers with recreational vehicles at the refuge. Contact the volunteer coordinator for more information. Send inquiries to Mingo National Wildlife Refuge, Attention: Volunteer Coordinator, 24279 MO- 51, Puxico, MO 63960 or call 573-222-3589.
Our Partners
Nature does not recognize human-made boundaries. In order to conserve our natural and cultural resources effectively, we must work with others to bridge these boundaries. Partnerships foster creative solutions to challenging situations and often the results are greater than the sum of the parts. Learn more about our local partners.
Mingo Swamp Friends
Individuals can get involved with Mingo National Wildlife Refuge through Mingo Swamp Friends, a non-profit citizen-based organization devoted to protection, restoration, and enhancement of natural communities on the refuge. Friends also promote outreach and environmental education through a variety of special events during the year.
Education Programs
Open the door to a potentially life-changing experience. If you land a student internship, a fellowship or a volunteer opportunity 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.