Become a Volunteer

Our dedicated volunteers are an essential part of our team. Annually, our volunteers donate a combined 28,000 hours in every area of our organization.


Exhibit Guides: Connect guests with our mission by sharing information and ensuring the safety of guests and animals.

  • Shark & Ray
  • Tidepool
  • Shorebirds (Temporarily closed)
  • Raptor Row
Physical Demands: Frequent guest interaction, front-facing customer service, mostly outdoors, all types of weather, some standing

Community Programs: Help spread our mission by supporting us during hikes, clean-ups, and outreach events. Upcoming events are announced through social media & email.

  • Trail to Bay Hikes.
  • Sweetwater Safari Hike
  •  Community Events
  • Clean Ups
Physical demands: Guest interaction, front-facing customer service, outdoors, all types of weather, may include sitting, standing, or easy-to-hard levels of walking, and possible lifting of up to 20 lbs.
living coast trail to bay

Special events: Support our community and fundraising events held at the center. Upcoming events are announced through social media & email. Roles vary depending on event needs.

  • Farm to Bay
  • Owl-O-Ween
  • New Year’s Eve
  • Arts & Crafts
  • Birthday Parties
Physical demands: Some/full guest interaction, both front-facing and behind the scenes, indoors & outdoors, all types of weather, standing and sitting, possibly lifting of up to 20 lbs.

Support: Dedicate your time to a shift with minimal guest interaction by helping with office administration, keeping the center guest-ready, and maintaining our gardens. 

  • Administration
  • Facilities
  • Horticulture
Physical demands: Minimal guest interaction; behind-the-scenes; indoors & outdoors; all types of weather; standing and sitting; possible lifting of up to 20 lbs.

Animal Care: Assist the animal care staff with food preparation, exhibit maintenance, and animal feeding.

  • Requires 100 hours of previous volunteering service 
  • Limited spaces and spots are given based on the waitlist & availability
  • Commitment: ongoing, depending on availability
  • 3 absences within 60 days may result in losing the spot
Physical Demands: little/some guest interaction, behind the scenes, indoors & outdoors, all types of weather, standing, lifting of up to 20 lbs

Volunteers are accepted on a rolling basis. Volunteer orientations take place on alternating Saturdays and Sundays at 10 AM every month. Once your application is received, you will be notified of the next available orientation date.

The Living Coast Discovery Center cannot fulfill court-mandated community service at this time.


Become a Docent

Docent:  Advance your passion and dedication to the Living Coast by guiding tours, giving specialized talks, helping with school programs, and spreading our mission at community events.

  • Requires attendance at three scheduled training sessions and shadowing.
  • 9-month commitment, a minimum of 3 shifts per month
  • Must be 18 years or older
Physical Demands: Guest interaction, front-facing customers, mostly outdoors, all types of weather, walking, standing, and extra training

Docent training is a four-part series. You must attend a Volunteer Orientation and all three training days to become a docent at the Living Coast Discovery Center.


View the full docent description here.

Docents must be 18 years or older.


Current Volunteers:

Access your VicNet (Volgistics) account from any Internet device by going to the following link: volgistics.com/vicnet/165166/login

If you have any volunteer/Volgistics related questions, please email volunteers@thelivingcoast.org.