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Biscayne National ParkSchoolmaster snapper hides in red mangrove roots.
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Biscayne National Park
Interpretation & Visitor Services Volunteer Opportunities

Visitor Center Desk: If you like working with people this is the position for you. Work at the Convoy Point Visitor Center and help people enjoy and explore Biscayne National Park. Assist visitors by giving them an introduction to the park, answering questions, and helping them plan their trips. You would also staff the park bookstore. This is a 4-8 hour position once a week. Apply

Roving at Convoy Point: This position requires a willingness to walk and interact with visitors on the Convoy Point Visitor Center grounds. Stroll the half mile boardwalk trail and rove the picnic area while showing visitors different props from your park backpack and answering questions about the park’s wildlife, activities, and rules. This is a 1-hour position, as often as desired. Apply

Ranger Talks and Walks: This position is ideal if you like to learn and enjoy sharing your knowledge with others. Take the time to learn about any aspect of the park: tree species, fish, shoreline critters, birds, or the park’s many ecosystems. Use this knowledge to present a 20-60 minute talk or guided walk at the Convoy Point Visitor Center, or you can use pre-prepared outlines. This is a 1-hour position, as often as desired. Apply

Family Fun Fest: If you enjoy working with kids in a fast paced and exciting atmosphere with lots of hands-on components then Family Fun Fest is right for you. Family Fun Fests take place in the afternoons on the second Sunday of the month, December through April. Every Family Fun Fest focuses on a certain park related topic and explores that topic through five interactive and often quirky activity stations. These activities offer children and their families a chance to learn, have fun, and come back for more. This is a 4-5 hour position once a month, December - April. Apply

Guided Canoe Trips: If you have experience canoeing or kayaking this is your opportunity to share the watery world of Biscayne National Park with others. Spend 2-3 hours leading a group of visitors along the mangrove shorelines and sea grass beds of the park while looking for wildlife. This is a 4 hour position on Saturdays or Sundays. There are more opportunities for this position November-May. Apply

Campground "Harbor" Host: Biscayne National Park has two island campgrounds that are only accessible by boat. If you have your own boat this is an ideal opportunity to spend the winter on a protected Florida Key. If you don’t have your own boat you must be willing to spend a week at a time out on the islands. The campground hosts are responsible for assisting campers and performing various tasks as needed. Campground hosts at Biscayne must love solitary weekdays and busy weekends. This is a winter position November-May. Apply

Roving on the Water: If you are an experienced motor boat operator you can volunteer your skills to cruise the waters and islands of Biscayne National Park. As a roving volunteer you will be stopping off at the different campgrounds and popular locations in the park to educate the public about various aspects of the park. Operating a National Park Service boat requires a week-long federal boating course. This is a 4-hour position on Saturdays or Sundays. Apply

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sea squirts on a mangrove root  

Did You Know?
Tunicates, or sea squirts, live on the roots of the red mangrove tree. These simple animals survive by filtering plankton out of seawater, and hold promise as the source of potent drugs used to fight tumors. Watch for them when snorkeling along Biscayne National Park's mangrove-fringed shoreline.

Last Updated: September 28, 2009 at 10:20 EST