Hands & Lands: Volunteer with Local Environmental Organizations

Written By Issa Moffett

Seattle and the Pacific Northwest are home to an incredible network of organizations doing conservation work. Some organizations are entirely volunteer run, while others rely on volunteers to supplement funding and staffing resources. Whether you want to get your hands in the soil, join a network and build community, gain new skills, monitor wildlife, lead outdoor adventures, or support operations behind the scenes, there's a volunteer opportunity for you.

One of the cool things about volunteer hours is that organizations can use them as match funds for grants. This means that when an organization applies for a grant, the time volunteers contribute can be counted as an in-kind contribution toward the matching requirement — essentially converting donated time into measurable financial value.

For example, if a grant requires a 1:1 match and an organization has 100 volunteers who each contribute 10 hours, those hours are valued at $42.98 per hour for general labor (Independent Sector: Washington State Rate, 2026), bringing the total matched value to $42,980 without the organization having to scrape up funds or pass up the opportunity all together.

The following list are organizations based in-and-around Seattle, King County, and surrounding areas. Statewide and national organizations are not listed unless they have a chapter nearby.

This is not an exhaustive list of nature organizations, only organizations that have volunteer opportunities. For a list of all organizations see here (coming soon).

Note: This is a living list of opportunities and volunteer opportunities change over time.
Last Updated: 6/23/2026

BIRDS

  • Volunteers are the core of this organization, founded in 1916. Help in the store, showcase bird specimens, table at community events, join bird counts, or become a trip leader.

    website: birdsconnectsea.org/get-involved/volunteer

    social media: instagram.com/birdsconnectsea

  • Volunteer opportunities include birding trip leaders, education outreach, public relations, videography, writing, graphic art, tabling at events, and website help.

    No prior experience needed, just a love for nature.

    Website: eastsideaudubon.org/volunteer

    Social Media: instagram.com/eastsideaudubon/

  • Monitor the great blue heron colony at Ballard Locks, submit photos for social media, table at farmers markets, and design informational signage.

    No experience needed — training provided for citizen scientists.


    website: heronhelpers.org/volunteer

    social media: instagram.com/heronhabitathelpers/

  • A wide variety of roles: native plant garden volunteer, treasurer, conservation committee, and more.

    Doesn't matter if you're an expert birder or can only identify a pigeon. All skill levels welcome.

    website: pilchuckaudubon.org/volunteer

    Instagram: instagram.com/pilchuckaudubon/

  • Puget Sound Bird Observatory (PSBO) conducts a wide range of community science and conservation programs across the Puget Sound region, from monitoring seabirds along marine shorelines to tracking secretive wetland birds, banding songbirds, and studying avian response to habitat restoration. Through partnerships with Tribes, the U.S. Forest Service, and local Audubon chapters, PSBO engages volunteers of all experience levels to collect meaningful data that informs land management, restoration planning, and bird conservation across the Pacific Northwest.

    website: pugetsoundbirds.org/bird-bander-development

  • Serving South King County and North Pierce County. Currently looking for coordinators for the Christmas Bird Count which is a longtime citizen science project registering participants and assigning field roles.

    website: rainieraudubon.org/volunteer

  • Center docents, assistant naturalists, restoration leaders, and early childhood educators. Be a conservation advocate, storyteller, and community leader in Seward Park. No experience required.

    website: sewardpark.audubon.org/get-involved/volunteer-support-our-mission


    social media: https://www.instagram.com/sewardparkaudubon/

RIVERS,

OCEANS & SALMON

WILDLIFE

  • Outreach events like tabling and school visits, bat house building, social media, research, and board positions. Share your love of bats!

    website: batsnorthwest.org

    social media: instagram.com/batsnorthwest

  • There are no volunteer opportunities listed but there is a volunteer inquiry form.

    website: https://beaversnw.org/volunteer

  • Hotline operators, beach first responders for marine mammals, and public educators. Trainings are held each spring before the busy season. Help protect seals and sea lions on Puget Sound beaches.

    website: sealsitters.org/volunteer

  • With Woodland Park Zoo and Seattle University, youth and adult volunteers maintain remote camera stations to track urban carnivores. Sign up for the interest list to be notified when next season opens. You can also help by reporting sightings to Carnivore Spotter.

    website: http://zoo.org/seattlecarnivores

  • Animal Husbandry Volunteers ensure patients are well-fed and have a clean, safe environment for recovery. Season runs June–November with three 4-hour shifts per month required. Extensive training provided.


    website: sealifer3.org/volunteer

    social media: instagram.com/sealifer3/

Museums & Nature Centers

  • There are no opportunities available at this time.

    You can join their Volunteer Opportunities email list for notifications about volunteer openings at the Burke Museum.

    website: burkemuseum.org/support/volunteer

  • Adult programs in habitat interpretation and life sciences; volunteer divers; Beach Naturalist Program along Seattle shorelines; Cedar River Salmon Journey naturalists. Youth Ocean Advocates program for young people passionate about the ocean.

    website: seattleaquarium.org/act-for-the-ocean/volunteer

  • Variety of volunteer opportunties such as working events, in the garden, plant programs, photography, and more.

    website: https://arboretumfoundation.org/join-support/volunteer/

  • The University of Washington Botanic Gardens offers a diverse array of volunteer opportunities connecting people to plant science, ecological restoration, and environmental education. From hands-on garden maintenance and herbarium work to rare plant conservation and outdoor preschool support, volunteers contribute to research, public horticulture, and the long-term stewardship of the region's native flora.

    website: https://depts.washington.edu/uwbg/support/volunteerNew.php

RESTORATION & PLANTS

  • Committed to preservation and outdoor recreation. Upcoming: Litter Pickup (June 17, July 15, Aug 19), Habitat Restoration (June 20), and Camp S'more (July 25–26).

    website: https://www.lakesammamishfriends.org/

    social media:
    instagram.com/flssp123

  • Become a Forest Steward — adopt a natural area and lead restoration events in Seattle's forested parklands. Also lists volunteer events by many partner organizations that anyone can join.

    website: greenseattle.org

  • Pot up bare-rooted plants at the Greenway Nursery to support riparian habitats, or become a Trailhead Ambassador at Sno Park welcoming visitors and answering questions. Trail maintenance events throughout the year.

    website: mtsgreenway.org/get-involved/volunteer

  • Volunteer every Monday, 10am–2pm, to restore the land. Activities include landscaping, planting, trail maintenance, and mulching. Gloves, tools, snacks, and drinks provided. All ages and abilities welcome — no RSVP needed.

    website: theheronsnest.org/volunteer

  • Plant and maintain trees in Spokane's Inland Northwest forests, participate in the annual Spokane River Clean-Up (removing 4+ tons of trash each year), or help with fundraising and outreach. An ambitious org with very few staff.

    website: landscouncil.org/volunteer

  • Support spring plant sales and monthly nursery days propagating native plants every 1st Saturday, 10am–2pm at Magnuson Community Garden. All skill levels welcome — gloves and tools provided.

    website: wnps.org/central-puget-sound

INTERSTELLAR

  • Battle Point Observatory has volunteer opportunities for every interest and skill level — from Star Parties and planetarium tours to telescope repair, sundial restoration, and event planning.

    website: https://bpastro.org/volunteer/

  • Share your passion for astronomy at education and outreach events for schools, scouts, nonprofits, and STEM fairs. Weather permitting, bring telescopes. Best scheduling window: June through November.

    website: seattleastro.org

INSECTS

OTHER

  • Chapters in Seattle, Tacoma, and Bellingham. Host inclusive outdoor meetups, social events, and queer climb nights. Support operations through fundraising, social media, and leadership roles.

    website: queermountaineers.com/volunteer

  • Join the Washington Wildlife Action Team: testify at commission meetings, write letters to elected officials, attend rallies, contribute graphic design, wildlife photography, or other skills.

    website: wawildlifefirst.org/wildlife-action-team

Issa Moffett
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