Visitor Center Volunteer

Our Refuge: Located about 15 miles outside Portland, OR, Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge Complex is a fantastic destination to see a variety of wildlife in many of our diverse habitats. As a designated Urban Refuge, we provide many opportunities for the public to engage on the land. We strives to work with new communities in new ways and we are looking for others to help us achieve this work. The portion of the refuge open to the public offers a seasonal trail, as well as a year-round trail. In addition to this broad scope of walkable trails, the refuge also houses an amazing Visitor Center equipped with a classroom, exhibit hall, conference room and a Friend's operated Nature Store.

The Visitor Center: Opened in 2008, the Visitor Center serves as a gathering place and launching point for visitors, organized groups and Refuge programs. This building is staffed entirely by volunteers, who are often the first faces visitors see when they arrive at the Refuge. As a Visitor Center Volunteer, you are helping fuel a conservation ethic in our public to protect and conserve the well-being of the natural environment, both at the Refuge and beyond.

Additionally, as a Visitor Center Volunteer, you will also work closely with the Friends of Tualatin River, the Refuge's closest partner and biggest advocate for what we do. The Friends group operates the Nature's Overlook store inside the Visitor Center. Even though the store is entirely operated by the Friends group, it does require Visitor Center Volunteers to perform merchandise sales and transactions. For this reason, Visitor Center Volunteers must also become Friends members to volunteer in the Visitor Center. All training related to the store will be conducted by the Friends group.

Some Helpful Information: The refuge stays fairly busy all throughout the year. There are a lot of wildlife to see and enjoy and with being so close to the Portland metro area. Many families come daily to take in the sights. Even if things are slow in the Visitor Center, staff always have small projects we need help with. We will work with you to keep you as busy and as involved as you want to be.

Time Commitment: Staff are working hard to engage our volunteer base at the refuge and are in need of more volunteers in our Visitor Center. The Visitor Center is open Tuesday - Sunday from 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM. There are two shifts of volunteers per day. One is from 9:45 AM - 1:00 PM and the second is from 12:45 PM - 4:15 PM. We just ask that, once you are fully trained, that you commit to signing up for at least two shifts per month.