Become A Volunteer

Volunteer with Laguna Ocean Foundation

Thank you for your interest in becoming a volunteer for Laguna Ocean Foundation! We’d love to have you join our team and start the volunteer journey today. While the Tidewater Docent Program has the most volunteer opportunities, we have plenty of ways for you to be involved and volunteer for us!

Ways to Volunteer

• Educate visitors at tidepools as a Tidewater Docent

• Provide outreach and education at community events

• Collect data for research projects  

• Participate in beach clean-ups 

• Overall organizational assistance 

Interested in starting your journey as a Laguna Ocean Foundation volunteer? Fill out the interest form below!

We also have public volunteer opportunities that do not have hour or training requirements, such as Public Beach Cleanups and BioBlast events!

Questions about Volunteering

Are there requirements to volunteer?
In order to become an official volunteer for the Laguna Ocean Foundation, you need to be 18 years or older. In addition, we ask that you commit to volunteering at least twice a month. Don’t worry, our shifts are usually 3 hours each so that’s only 6 hours a month! If you’re still interested in volunteering but are under 18, then keep an eye out for our beach clean-ups. There’s no age restriction for helping to keep our beaches clean
Where would I volunteer?

Our main program is the Tidewater Docent Program, where you will be trained to educate the public on the beautiful coast of Laguna Beach tidepools. Tidepool education is typically provided at one of the following locations: Crescent Bay, Shaws Cove, Treasure Island, Woods Cove, Heisler Park or Goff Island. However we offer other opportunities other than tidepools. Please fill out the form on this page so we can match your preferences.

Is there anything else I need to know before I sign up to become a volunteer?

 You do not need to have any previous experience and knowlodge about tidepools and the Marine Protected Area (MPA) regulations. We will provide all the training you need!

You’ll have the choice of which tidepool location you volunteer at, but some locations are easier to access than others. All locations are accessed from the beach and are on a rocky terrain. Please note, we will never ask you to volunteer in conditions where you feel unsafe. 

Do you provide training?

We sure do! Volunteers receive free training that introduces them to intertidal life and the Marine Protected Area system in California. We offer a volunteer orientation every three months. New Tidewater Docent volunteers must attend the in-person or virtual orientation, followed by two field trainings, and a short online MPA course.

Additional trainings and materials are provided throughout the year for continued education and reference.

What are Laguna Ocean Foundation's volunteer opportunities?

Our primary volunteer program is our Tidewater Docent Program, where our volunteer educate guests at the tidepools about species and Marine Protected Area (MPA) regulations.

We also offer the following volunteer opportunities:

  • Beach Cleanups
  • BioBlast events
  • Farmers markets and public outreach events
  • Administrative volunteer
  • Research assistance
  • Education assistance in classrooms and tidepool tours
  • etc…

Interested in Becoming a Laguna Ocean Foundation volunteer?

Please fill out the form below and a team member will get back to you shortly.

 

Fill out my online form.

If you have questions regarding volunteer opportunities please email McKenna at: mckenna@lagunaoceanfoundation.org