Volunteer Opportunities

Science, stewardship, restoration – there’s a place for you.

Fill out the form below if you are interested in joining us as a volunteer.

Foundational Science: Beach Watch

Join Beach Watch and help gather critical data along our coastal shores, tracking wildlife, marine debris, and ocean health. This highly sought after volunteer program trains community members as shoreline scientists collecting critical information about the health of the sanctuary. This highly rewarding volunteer experience has built a community of ocean stewards trained to identify and record coastal wildlife, take pollution samples, and report potential sanctuary violations. Volunteer recruitment occurs approximately every two years.

Commitment: In-depth training is required to become a Beach Watch volunteer; commitment twice a month to conduct beach surveys and enter data.

Beach Watch at Pinnacle Gulch

Immersive Education: Visitor Center

Join our team of visitor center volunteers to welcome guests and support immersive marine science experiences. Volunteer activities may include:

  • Greeting visitors at the welcome desk
  • Assisting with cold water aquarium care
  • Feeding aquarium animals
  • Collecting plankton samples

Volunteers work in the Greater Farallones/Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuary Visitor Center on the Crissy Field Beach in the Presidio of San Francisco, receive training from education staff, gain marine science experience, and learn public engagement.

Commitment: Once a week for a minimum 16 weeks

Available volunteer dates: Wednesday–Sunday; Greatest need: weekend volunteers (9:30 AM – 4:30 PM)

A person sits behind a desk in the Visitor Center viewing a plankton sample on a computer monitor.

Restore Kent Island in Bolinas Lagoon

Led by Marin County Parks with support from Greater Farallones Association, the Kent Island Restoration Project brings volunteers to Kent Island in Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary to restore its unique ecosystem.

Volunteers help remove invasive plants, allowing native coastal vegetation to recover and improving the ecological health of the lagoon.

Participants travel to the island by a short rowboat ride and receive training in invasive plant identification and habitat restoration techniques.

Volunteer season: Summer months

Sign up: Check the Marin County Parks website for upcoming volunteer dates.

Three people kneel next to a large pile of invasive plants that have been removed.

Community Event Volunteers

Help Bring Ocean Science to the Public. Community events connect people with marine ecosystems and inspire stewardship. Volunteers help support annual Festivals & Science Soirées by assisting with:

  • Interactive science activities
  • Event setup and logistics
  • Educational displays for visitors

Your support helps make these programs accessible, engaging, and fun for the community.

A child standing outside reaches up to touch a clay model of a shark displayed on a table.

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