Volunteer

Help grow oysters that support reef restoration and water quality improvement in Choctawhatchee Bay and its tributaries.

What Volunteers Do:

• Attend a training workshop
• Install and maintain vertical oyster gardens at docks or designated sites
• Periodically monitor oyster growth and survival
• Assist with the deployment or transfer of oysters for restoration projects
• Follow standardized protocols

Requirements:

• Own or have permission to access a dock or other waterfront structure
• Dependable communication
• See additional requirements here.

Support long-term water quality monitoring that helps scientists, resource managers, and the public better understand local waterways.

What Volunteers Do:

• Attend an initial and annual training
• Monthly visits to the same stations
• Collect in-the-field water quality measurements (ex., temperature, salinity, pH) and samples
• Follow standardized protocols

Requirements:

• Ability to work outdoors and on the water
• Dependable communication and commitment to scheduled activities
• 6-month minimum commitment

Assist with shoreline restoration projects that reduce erosion and improve habitat.

What Volunteers Do:

• Native plant restoration
• Oyster reef construction

Requirements:

• Ability to work outdoors in varying weather conditions
• Ability to lift 20 lbs.
• Ability to attend early morning weekday events scheduled in advance, but subject to weather and tide conditions

Support environmental education programs for students throughout the watershed.

What Volunteers Do:

• Assist staff during field trips and outdoor learning experiences
• Help with hands-on activities, demonstrations, or small group supervision
• Serve as positive role models for students

Requirements:

• Ability to work outdoors
• Ability to lift 20 lbs.
• Dependable communication and commitment to scheduled activities

Help reduce fishing-related pollution by supporting monofilament line recycling efforts.

What Volunteers Do:

• Collect and maintain monofilament recycling bins
• Sort and prepare fishing line for recycling
• Promote proper disposal of fishing line within the community

Requirements:

• Ability to work outdoors
• Willingness to follow project-specific protocols and safety guidance
• Dependable communication

Contribute to biological monitoring efforts that assess stream and watershed health.

What Volunteers Do:

• Attend an initial and annual training
• Assist with collecting aquatic macroinvertebrates (ex., insect larvae)
• Help sort and identify organisms under guidance from project staff or partners
• Follow standardized protocols

Requirements:

• Ability to work outdoors
• Dependable communication and commitment to scheduled activities
• 6-month minimum commitment