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.
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Volunteering
Volunteers at Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge provide their talents and energy to help in many different ways. From 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 removal to answering visitor inquiries at the information desks, from hiking trails to helping with school programs, volunteers are invaluable to us for all of the support they provide! By volunteering you'll gain knowledge about the refuge and its purpose and will become part of a community of people dedicated to the stewardship of wildlife and natural landscapes. If you have questions about the refuge's volunteer program, please contact the volunteer coordinator.
To start the process of getting involved, please complete the Natural Resources Volunteer Application and email it to the Volunteer Coordinator at minnesotavalley@fws.gov or mail it to: Minnesota Valley NWR, Attn: Volunteer Coordinator, 3815 American Blvd. East, Bloomington, MN 55425.
Once received, we will be in touch with you to schedule a volunteer interview to get to know you a little more, discuss interests, and see where the best match may be.
Potential volunteer opportunities:
Biological Projects
- Invasive species removal
- Maintain pollinator gardens
- Monitor bird feeders for Project FeederWatch
- Seed collection
Community Outreach
- Assist with outreach programs and events
- Guide nature programs such as Nature Smart Library program
- Provide on-site translations for events and programs
- Help in Fishing in the Neighborhood programs
Visitor Services
- Adopt-a-Trailhead
- Assist with environmental education programs
- Lead programs as an interpretive guide
- Become a trail ranger and share trail reports
- Donate your photography and videography skills
- Support behind the scenes as an office assistant
- Interact with visitors at our information desk and Friends’ nature store
Residential Volunteers (NOW RECRUITING FOR SUMMER 2025)
Primary responsibilities will be staffing our two visitor centers with opportunity to support additional duties that may include but are not limited to: maintenance projects, habitat restoration, and contributing to scientific studies.
Volunteer Opportunities
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If you are interested in a conservation career with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, visit the USFWS Careers site for federal resources.