Calling all conservation-based organizations and agencies in the Bay Area!
The California Academy of Sciences recently launched the Volunteers for Nature (VN) program (formerly California Volunteer Network), uniting volunteers to support local conservation efforts and forge lasting connections with nature and each other as part of our Thriving California initiative. During the 2024 pilot year, we aim to engage and support college students and early career professionals throughout the Bay Area in accessing volunteer opportunities with organizations like yours, while also fostering meaningful relationships between these communities and their local outdoor spaces.
Volunteers participate in this program by becoming members of a chapter. The first chapter is already active in San Francisco, and a new one is launching in the North Bay in September. Additional chapters will be established across other Bay Area subregions next year.
For more context on chapter activities and participation:
- These chapters will be place-based but not college-specific, meaning any college student or early career professional who wants to join a chapter is welcome to do so with the knowledge that volunteer work will take place in that given area.
- We will rotate through partner sites on a monthly basis, meaning we will strive to volunteer at your site at least once if you're located in one of our pilot chapter areas.
- We will regularly encourage participating chapter members to pursue individual volunteer projects with partners they feel like they align with, pending your availability/needs at the time.
As a program meant for collaboration and capacity-sharing, we want to gather input from YOU with your unique needs and interests in mind as we plan the future of this exciting new effort! Thank you for taking the time to fill out this form, and we look forward to building this network of nature champions with you.
**Estimated form completion time: 5-10 mins.**
**Please have only one representative from your specific volunteer program fill this form out.**