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 36 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 Docent
Docent Training Program: 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 for more detials about the next scheduled Docent Training class.
Becoming a docent means you make a difference, meet new people, use your skills, help others, connect with your community.
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 hbjjrobins@gmail.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
GROUPS MUST RSVP TO info@amigosdebolsachica.org
INDIVIDUALS MAY DROP IN BUT WE PREFER YOU RSVP TO info@amigosdebolsachica.org
Download the November-June gardening schedule.
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.
Amigos host open garden days for all groups and the general public on various Saturdays each month. On these days we work on typical garden projects such as weeding, pruning and planting from 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM (this program is all volunteers and the schedule is subject to change without notice). Volunteers work at their own pace for as long as they like. Normally there are a variety of tasks to do so you will be able to choose a preferance. You must wear close-toed shoes & suncreen. If you prefer please bring your own gloves, hat, and water, although we have gloves and water available. Credit can be given to individuals and groups full lling community service requirements. Call 714-840-1575 for more information.
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 |
