Welcome volunteers! This is a wonderful and exciting time to volunteer at the Academy. Because of the high number of applicants for all areas of the aquarium, aquarium volunteer opportunities are closed for the time being. If you enjoy other aspects of the Academy, we offer a wide range of challenging and novel assignments, including the opportunity to be part of a new hospitality team.

Academy Guides

Are you enthusiastic about the natural world? Do you want to work with visitors at the new Academy?   You don't need a science degree; we will teach you how to interpret our exhibits and inspire visitors in the Docent and Academy Guide program. After a basic introduction to science and nature, guides will get to choose from a wide selection of trainings and workshops including staffing the tide pool and specimen carts, demonstrating some of nature's most surprising secrets, and conducting talks about various topics—including the environmentally friendly building. You will also have an opportunity to work with live animals, including reptiles.   Enjoy the camaraderie and good fellowship of this diverse group of learners. Classes are offered on weekdays or weekends.

Research

Learn specialized curatorial and archival skills working with the collection managers, as they prepare and maintain scientific collections in anthropology, botany, ichthyology, entomology, invertebrate zoology and geology, herpetology, ornithology, mammalogy, and the library. Mount plants; pin insects; classify bones, shells, and rocks; and rebottle specimens. Help inventory, document, and pack specimens in preparation for the move.

Aquarium & Rainforest

Due to the high number of aquarium applicants, volunteer opportunities are currently closed. Check back periodically in case opportunities re-open. Thank you for your interest! Budding marine biologists and hobbyists alike will be welcomed by the aquarium staff. Over 38,000 animals will make their home in the new facility. Become an aquarium volunteer and learn how to take care of a wide range of aquatic and terrestrial animals, test water quality, check on animal health, and show off your horticultural skills. “Dive in!” if you're an experienced, certified rescue diver. You'll interact with exotic and unusual creatures while feeding the fish and keeping the tanks sparkling clean. Divers will also be trained to deliver dive presentations to visitors.

Contact

Volunteer Department

 379-5111
 volunteer

California Academy of Sciences
55 Music Concourse Drive
GGP
San Francisco, CA 94118

Volunteer Links

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