Take your first step toward becoming a Joppa Flats education volunteer with these in-the-field trainings. Our education volunteers help staff and field teachers present programs to schools, groups, and families throughout the school year in a wide variety of environments.
SPRING CLASSES
Tuesdays, 8:30 am-12:30 pm
3/28: Coastal Erosion & Salt Marsh Ecology
Living on the shore presents many challenges to both people and wildlife. We will visit Plum Island beach and the Joppa Flats salt marsh to learn about erosion, microplastics and weathering, and teach you how volunteers assist us in presenting these sensitive topics to school groups and families.
4/11: Rocky Shore Tide Pools
The intertidal zone is the area between the high tide and low tide, where everything from periwinkles to sea urchins reside. On the beach, we will demonstrate how to find and identify marine organisms, discuss how these creatures are useful to humans, and find out how climate change is affecting this ecosystem. Volunteers may assist both on the beach and also at our Tide Pool Touch Tank in the lobby of the Education Center.
4/18: Birding & Bird Banding Science
Mass Audubon's Bird Banding Station Interpretative Center will introduce our visitors to the science of bird banding, how data is collected from live migratory birds with unique field equipment and hands-on activities for all ages. Volunteers are needed to help us run this center in the spring.
Beginning March 28, 2023, this volunteer training class is FREE to Mass Audubon members. The class is $70 for non-members which will also include a Family Level membership upon registration.
Prior to the program, you will receive an email with information on where to meet, parking and facilities details, driving directions, and other guidelines.
Masks are required in vans; they are otherwise optional.
Please dress for the weather with appropriate footwear.
Cancellation Policy: If you wish to withdraw less than 7 days prior to the program, refunds cannot be issued. If we must cancel a session, you will receive a full refund.