GTM RESEARCH RESERVE SEEKING VOLUNTEERS

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MEDIA ADVISORY: Aug. 14, 2014

CONTACT: Patrician Price, 904-823-4506

GTM RESEARCH RESERVE SEEKING VOLUNTEERS

~Community members are invited to apply for volunteer positions at the reserve~

PONTE VEDRA BEACH – The Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve will host a volunteer orientation meeting on Saturday, Aug. 23 at the GTM Environmental Education Center (EEC). Anyone interested in volunteering in a natural setting with a focus on conservation is encouraged to attend. During the orientation meeting volunteers will learn the background and history of the GTM Research Reserve, receive a tour of the EEC, and learn the expectations and benefits of being a volunteer. 

Each volunteer opportunity, although different, plays an important role at the GTM Research Reserve. Volunteers assist with resource management, ecosystem science, education and administrative activities.

Examples of the projects in which volunteers can participate are:  

  • The Estuary Explorer program, educating second and fourth grade students;
  • Estuaries 101, an environmental education program offered to middle and high schools; and
  • Filling open volunteer positions like outreach program facilitators, trail guides, invasive species control assistants, marine turtle nest surveying assistants and front desk greeter.

Training will be offered for each position and is mandatory for certain roles. For more information or to register for this event, please contact Shannon Rininger, volunteer coordinator, at 904-823-4500 or email Shannon.Rininger@dep.state.fl.us. To fill out a volunteer application in advance, please click HERE.

WHAT:              Volunteer Orientation Meeting

WHEN:             Saturday, Aug. 23

                         10 a.m.

WHERE:           GTM Environmental Education Center

                         505 Guana River Road

                         Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida 32082