Volunteer Opportunities
Want to help? Amigos has volunteer opportunities for every schedule and interest.
One of the reasons the Amigos de Bolsa Chica has been so successful for the last 40+ years is because of the strong volunteer spirit in the community. As a member of Amigos de Bolsa Chica, there are many volunteer options in our organization. Being a member of a committee or training as a docent are valuable volunteer experiences which support our main mission to educate people on the importance of the Bolsa Chica Wetlands. There is no better way to help insure the future of the wetlands than to join one of our committees or volunteer to help organize an event. Amigos de Bolsa Chica is both fortunate and grateful that we can rely upon our members for support throughout the year. There is always something for everyone.
Become a FLOW Citizen Scientist
FLOW volunteers receive extensive and continuous training on how to be a citizen scientist. The Plankton Citizen Science Program consists of weekly plankton collections at specific sampling stations. FLOW volunteers learn how to properly collect water and plankton and how to analyze the samples collected. The methods and practices adopted in this monitoring program follow the standard procedures used for monitoring plankton all over the world. FLOW Citizen Scientists collect plankton samples utilizing plankton nets. They measure and record water quality variables (such as temperature, salinity, nutrients, dissolved oxygen, turbidity, pH) and other environmental data (such as weather and wind conditions and tide height) in support of the analysis of the plankton which is done under the microscope.
We are always excited to welcome new volunteers to FLOW. You don’t need to have any previous experience to become a Citizen Scientist. We will provide you with all the necessary training. We meet every Friday to collect and analyze water samples at Bolsa Chica State Beach. See the FLOW Schedule for specific times. If you would like to join our teampdf/amigos_calendar.pdf of Citizen pdf/amigos_calendar.pdfScientists, contact us by email at flow@amigosdebolsachica.org. Please include in your message your full name, you general availability and a brief explanation for why you would like to participate in the program.
Become a Docent
The next Docent Training Class will be held in 2018, dates to be determined. Becoming a docent means you make a difference, meet new people, use your skills, help others, and connect with your community. Becoming a docent means you will learn all details about the history, birds, endangered species, ecology, plants, and the restoration of Bolsa Chica so you can lead tours of the Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve! Six classes taught by skilled presenters over six weeks annually will make you a confident tour leader. The program includes two field trips on weekends with expert teachers. Cost: $50.00 materials fee, plus Amigos membership. $50.00 materials fee, plus Amigos membership. Certificate of Completion available for students. Location: Bolsa Chica State Beach Visitor Center at the entrance to Bolsa Chica State Beach, Pacific Coast Highway, 1.5 miles south of Warner Ave. Call 714-840-1575 or email info@amigosdebolsachica if you are interested in signing up for the 2018 Docent Training Class.
If you are already a docent, consider getting out more often this year to watch how fast the wildlife adapts to the newly created bay, and what new species discover this rich area. Besides docents sharing information at our free Saturday public tours, and our popular private tours for schools, Scouts, and adult groups.
Help on a Committee
The committees of Amigos de Bolsa Chica cover many areas of interest. The committees meet, discuss and work on projects and events, then report to the Board of Directors. This is how we carry out our mission, and we are always in need of many levels of participation.
Community Education
The education program of Amigos de Bolsa Chica is the main reason for our on-going need for volunteers. It is vital to our mission to reach out to the community and educate both children and adults on the importance of the Bolsa Chica and wetlands in general. We offer both public and private tours throughout the year, and we receive many requests for off-site presentations on such popular topics as birds, history and the restoration project. This committee meets once a month, and often breaks out into subcommittees that meet as needed.
The Community Education committee is responsible for all aspects of Amigos’ docent training program that we host at least once a year. A uniquely designed and extremely thorough manual covering every aspect of Bolsa Chica (early human history, ecology, birds, endangered species and restoration) is provided with the training program. Trained docents assist at both public and private tours throughout the year. These docents make Amigos tours the best tours of Bolsa Chica available.
Members of the Community Education committee not only write and edit the docent training manual, but they must also update it frequently. This committee has also written the Educator’s Guide that is sent to teachers before they bring their students to the Bolsa Chica. This must also be updated frequently. The Community Education committee also creates visuals aids that are used on our tours, and it creates off site slide and PowerPoint presentations for groups who are looking for something other than a tour.
Amigos’ hosts quarterly docent socials to help our docents get to know each other and to provide updates on news and activities both in the wetlands and in the organization. Our docents and volunteers are the backbone of our organization, and we make every effort to let them know we couldn’t stand tall in the community without them.
Grant Writing
This committee is a crucial part of how Amigos’ raise funds for specific projects. Not only is writing a grant an "art," but building relationships with funding sources is an equally important component of maintaining a certain level of funding. This committee has been successful in being awarded various small grants from foundations in the local area for education related projects. While there is some degree of specialization in this committee, and volunteers who have experience in the grant writing process are welcomed, we always need volunteers who are willing simply to do research on potential sources of funding. This requires only dedication and enthusiasm. This committee meets at least once a month.
Monthly Help Needed
Monthly Trash Clean Ups
Last Saturday of each month, 9:00 -11:00 am. Wear closed shoes, old clothes. Tools provided. This Amigos project is to clean up the area around the south parking lot and footbridge for our 1st Saturday of the month free public tour. Contact Jim Robins at jjrobins@dslextreme.com for more information, or to RSVP.
Monthly Gardening Day at the Bolsa Chica State Beach Visitor Center - Open to New and On-going Volunteers
Call 714-840-1575 or email info@amigosdebolsachica.org for detailed information on the next scheduled gardening event.
Location: Bolsa Chica State Beach Visitor Center at the entrance to Bolsa Chica State Beach, Pacific Coast Highway, 1.5 miles south of Warner Ave.
Annual Booth Events
Earth Day (April)
Amigos celebrates Earth Day in several ways. First, an event is held at the wetlands with Amigos volunteers attending a booth to dispense information about the Bolsa Chica and to sell merchandise to raise funds. Amigos is also invited to participate in various Earth Day celebrations in and around Orange County. This, too, requires volunteers to dispense information and to sell merchandise.
Amigos are invited to participate in various environmental and non-profit organizations' booth events throughout the year. These events vary from year to year. Amigos participation in these events is determined by volunteer interest.
Amigos is the success that it is because of our committed volunteers!
Coastal Cleanup (September)
The California Coastal Cleanup, a statewide event to organized to remove trash from beaches and coastal waterways. Volunteers are needed to register and hand out supplies (trash bags) to the hundreds of people that come to the Bolsa Chica to pick up trash.
If you are interested in becoming a docent, helping at an event or joining a committee, please contact us at (714) 840-1575 or email: info@amigosdebolsachica.org. Your involvement will ensure that the Bolsa Chica Wetlands will be protected for generations to come.
Additional Opportunities at Bolsa Chica and the Community
| More Opportunities to help at Bolsa Chica and the surrounding community: |
Bolsa Chica Stewards - Make a Difference at Bolsa Chica |
Junior Bolsa Chica Stewards |
Surfrider Foundation |
Shipley Nature Center |
Respect Our Beaches |
Huntington Beach Wetlands Conservancy |
Bolsa Chica Conservancy |
Orange County Coastkeepers |
