Environmental Education Volunteering

Make a Difference by Volunteering

Become a volunteer with the Environmental Education Team!

Volunteers develop skills in customer service, public speaking, working with and teaching youth, guiding tours for families, and much more. In addition, we are looking for volunteers to join our new Citywide Environmental Education Advisory Council. Please scroll down to the volunteer positions that speaks to you.

Please note that all volunteers must agree to a Washington State Patrol background check.

Seattle Urban Nature Guides

Volunteers posing for a picture

Seattle Urban Nature Guides enhance, promote and foster appreciation of nature by connecting families and students with their Seattle parklands, and providing educational opportunities for all.

As a Seattle Urban Nature Guide, you will:

Learn valuable job skills including communication, public speaking, teamwork, and teaching techniques.
Receive FREE training on environmental education techniques and equity concepts to connect with a wide variety of audiences
Lead hands on learning experiences in a variety of settings from playgrounds to beaches.

Applications for the Seattle Urban Nature Guide volunteer program are currently closed. We will accept applications for the Spring 2025 training during Winter 2024-2025.

Join our email list! Be notified when applications open for training. We have cohorts in the Spring and Fall each year.

Information provided on these forms is considered a public record and may be subject to public disclosure. For more information, see the Public Records Act, RCW Chapter 42.56. To learn more about how we manage your information, see our Privacy Statement at http://www.seattle.gov/privacy-statement

Questions? Please email PKSNatureFieldTrips@seattle.gov for more information.

Salmon Stewards

Salmon Stewards volunteers

The Salmon Steward program occurs annually in the fall, when chum salmon return to their spawning grounds in Carkeek Park. Training occurs mid-October, with on-site volunteer shifts available on Saturdays and Sundays in November and early December. The Salmon Stewards program is a partnership between Seattle Public Utilities and Seattle Parks and Recreation.

Our volunteer application typically opens in August/September. Please check back for updates for this year's volunteer cohort.

For questions about the program, you may contact Nicole Parish-Andrews at nicole.parish-andrews@seattle.gov

Discovery Park Visitor Center Ambassador

Every year, over 40,000 people visit the Discovery Park Visitor Center. We’re a busy site! Some are locals and many are people visiting Seattle for the first time.

Volunteers are needed to:

Give trail recommendations to visitors
Sign out parking passes
Help create and maintain Visitor Center displays
Discovery Room – print/copy coloring sheets, help upkeep and tidying when center is busy
Help front desk staff occasionally with light admin work, (paper shredding, folding brochures, data entry)
Support gift shop by restocking, inventory, setting up displays
Create social media content
Other projects as assigned

Time commitment: 4 hours per month. Flexible, can be a regular schedule or as available.

Apply Here!

Location: Discovery Park Visitor Center, 3801 Discovery Park Blvd., Seattle, WA. 98199
Service Days and Hours: Flexible. Greatest need is on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.
Contact: Discovery.Park@seattle.gov

Citywide Environmental Education Advisory Council

We are excited to introduce the newly recognized Citywide Environmental Education Advisory Council (CEEAC). The CEEAC works with Seattle Parks and Recreation to offer community perspective, advice, and consultation on environmental education opportunities across Seattle.

The Citywide Environmental Education Advisory Council envisions programming that promotes representation where everyone is seen, heard, and valued. Uplifting the experiences and knowledge of BIPOC will help guide the CEEAC mission so that our communities can engage with and learn from nature.

Meetings are scheduled on the third Tuesday of every month from 6:30-8:00 pm. Meetings are being held virtually until further notice.

All are welcome! These meetings are public and open to the community; please join us! For access to the next meeting, to join the council as a volunteer or for general questions about the work we are doing, please email Giovannina.Souers@seattle.gov.