Meet like-minded gardeners while maintaining the beautiful Butterfly Garden.  The team gets together every Wednesday morning throughout the growing season.

Learn from Master Gardeners and other experts about planting and propagating native plants and how the garden supports visiting butterfly species.

No experience necessary.

The Work Crew

General Ground Crew

All are invited to join the work crew to complete refuge projects.  The work crew meets twice a month, no experience required. Meet like-minded folks who love to work outside and make a difference for humans and animals. Email info@friendsofhagerman.org to get started.

Habitat Restoration/Trash Pick-Up (Individual or Group Opportunity)

A great community service project. Individuals, scouts and other groups may earn community service hours by removing trash at the refuge or participating in habitat restoration activities.  Help wildlife and brighten the day of the many visitors of the refuge!

Trail Crew

Mow the trails of the refuge. Work is seasonal and schedules are flexible. Training on refuge mowing equipment provided.

Agricultural Crew 

Train to use tractors and other refuge equipment to prepare fields and plant winter wheat for the thousands of geese who winter at the refuge.

Additional Volunteer Opportunities

The following opportunities may require some degree of training. 

Contact Us to inquire about these and other volunteer opportunities. 

Bat Monitoring

Aid in identifying bat species present on the refuge by placing acoustic monitoring devices in various locations to detect bat calls. Training provided.

Bird Census

Join the weekly bird census team as they collect data about bird species throughout the refuge.

Birding--Little Sit

Join the birding experts for this monthly sunrise bird census event. You will be helping the experts in bird research as you learn about or teach others bird identification techniques. No experience required.

Birding--Big Sit

Join this annual national bird census event in October to help experts in bird research. No experience required.

Butterfly Garden Docent

Learn about local butterflies and lead visitors on tours of our beautiful butterfly garden. You will learn to identify plants and butterflies while joining like-minded folks who love them! 

Christmas Bird Count/Feeder Watch

Bird observers are needed to aid in research. Pair up with experienced birders and participate in citizen science at the refuge or individually in the comfort of your home. Watch for this opportunity in the weeks before Christmas, no experience necessary.

Membership Committee

Help us attract and retain memberships. This opportunity requires some computer work.

NatureOlogy

Teach children about nature with this day camp offered free to the public each year in June. This opportunity requires current Texas Master Naturalist certification or a background check.

Programs Committee

Help us find presenters for our Second Saturday presentations, festivals and other events.  No experience necessary.

Second Saturday

Present a lecture about a nature topic relevant to the refuge at our monthly Second Saturday event.

Speakers' Bureau

Professional Educators and Master Naturalists are invited to join our Speakers' Bureau to give nature talks to local groups.

Special Events

The Friends of Hagerman NWR hosts two festivals every year, held on the second Saturdays of May and October. Much help is needed with traffic control, errands and other light duties.

Tram Tour Guide

Lead visitors on a tour of Wildlife Drive. Meet people from all over the country and the world! Personalize your tour to your own refuge-related interests: birding, refuge history, the lake, fish, native plants, etc.  Training provided.

Water Monitoring

Collect and test water samples from the waters of the refuge to document water quality, identify aquatic macroinvertebrates, and monitor seasonal changes. Training provided.

Youth Education

Assist with our monthly Refuge Rocks children's programs and our biannual programs. This opportunity requires current Texas Master Naturalist certification or a background check.

We'd love to work with you!

Contact Us