As the Department continues to engage with Washingtonians across the state, we are expanding the volunteer outreach program in 2025. We are currently accepting applications and invite you to apply for this unique opportunity to connect the people with conservation efforts and Washington's natural landscapes. Apply early as seats are limited. Applications will be reviewed in early January 2025.
What is the volunteer outreach team?
This core team of volunteers will assist WDFW staff at events ranging from wildlife festivals to family fishing events to regional workshops, and more!
You don’t have to be a natural resources expert to be part of the volunteer outreach team. We are looking for people who are passionate about natural resource conservation and are willing and excited to learn. The Department is committed to belonging and inclusion, and members of the volunteer outreach team must be comfortable interacting and engaging with people from all walks of life.
What is the commitment?
- Orientation: Prospective volunteers must attend a two-hour in-person orientation in early 2025 and watch an additional recorded video.
- Time and Frequency: Events are typically evenings and weekends, and occasionally during business hours. There are no minimum time requirements to serve on the WDFW volunteer outreach team, but we ask that you attend at least four events a year.
- Duration: This is a one-year commitment.
Orientation Schedule
| Location | City | County | Date | Time | Notification of Acceptance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WDFW Ridgefield Office 5525 S. 11th St. | Ridgefield | Clark | Saturday, Jan. 25, 2025 | 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. | Jan. 14, 2025 |
| TBD | TBD | Pierce or King | TBD | TBD | TBD |
| TBD | Raymond | Pacific | March 8, 2025 | TBD | TBD |
| TBD | TBD | Jefferson or Clallam | TBD | TBD | TBD |
Benefits of joining the volunteer outreach team
In addition to giving back to your community, joining the volunteer outreach team will give you opportunities to:
- Learn about Washington’s fish, wildlife, and habitats from agency experts.
- Practice and enhance public engagement skills alongside agency professionals.
- Assist WDFW in fostering connections between people and nature.
- Explore careers at WDFW and learn about natural resource issues in Washington.
- Connect with conservation-minded people and meet new friends!
Who can apply
This volunteer outreach team is open to people 18 years and older who are based in or willing to travel to community events in Clark, Clallam, Cowlitz, Grays Harbor, Jefferson, King, Lewis, Mason, Pacific, Pierce, Snohomish, or Thurston counties.
WDFW welcomes all people who want to contribute to conservation of fish, wildlife, and habitat regardless of race, color, sex, age, national origin, language proficiency, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, status as a veteran, or basis of disability.
After selected volunteers complete their orientation, those who require reimbursement to participate in this opportunity will be eligible to receive mileage reimbursement up to 100 miles round-trip for volunteer participation at events and in outreach opportunities. Selected volunteers will learn more about mileage reimbursements at the volunteer orientation. Mileage reimbursements are not available for the volunteer orientation.
How to apply
Please fill out this application form and we will reach out to let you know if you have been approved.
Contact
Diane Tilton
Statewide Volunteer Coordinator
VolunteerDFW@dfw.wa.gov
360-902-2256