We always need people with time and energy to keep our Refuge vibrant and relevant.  There are two avenues to get involved (or choose BOTH!): 

1.  Work with the Friends to support our mission -

• Help organize our Nature's Overlook Store.
  
  Our  Store Committee plans and implements the running of our Nature's Overlook Store in the Visitor Center and Visitor Information.  
  
  
• Work with the Friends events.
  
  We organize and run many events to benefit the refuge.  Our biggest event is the Tualatin River Bird Festival.  The Festival Committee is responsible for planning our Annual Festival which is held mid-May each year. This group is most active during the fall and winter and then takes a short break following the Festival.
  
  
• Assist our Office Staff
  
  Help with data entry for our financials, work on our web site and social media,  maintain our membership data, secure grant funding, publish our monthly newsletter - the list is endless.
  
  
• Advocate for the Refuge.
  
  Work with other Friends to build the relevancy of our wild places in the minds of the public and our officials.
  
  
• Build our Membership.
  
  We can't do all we do without our members.  Find ways to encourage people, businesses and organizations to join us and remain with us.
  
  
• Become a Board Member.
  
  The Friends Board of Directors is elected by the members of our organization to guide the activities of the Friends.  Board Members attend monthly Board Meetings and act as liaisons to other committees and activities of the Friends. 
  

2.  Work with Refuge led Programs - Here is a FWS Volunteer Application that you can print, fill out, and return to the refuge.   Get a closer look at the available programs on the Programs at the Refuge page.

• Assisting in the Visitor Center and the Friend's Natures Overlook store. 
  
  Greeting visitors and providing information as well as selling items from Nature's Overlook is often the first contact with the visitors to the Refuge. Choose any number of four hour shifts.  Training is provided and resources and support are always available from experienced volunteers as well as our Interpretive Program Coordinator or Environmental Education Coordinator.  Here is a job description for our Volunteer Visitor Center Staff.
  
  
• Become a Trail Rover.   
  
  Come to the refuge on your own schedule, anytime from sunup to sundown and walk the trails providing a friendly face and information for our visitors.  Often Trail Rovers are the first people that our guests meet so they are Ambassadors for the Friends and the Refuge.  You do not need to be a nature expert, only a nature lover.  Training is provided.  See position description for Trail Rover.
  
  
• Work as a Naturalist. Temporarily suspended.  

  Naturalists complete a 4 day training program that prepares them to assist with field trips and other educational opportunities at the Refuge.  You will learn the curriculum and all about the Refuge history.  If you enjoy sharing your love of nature with others, from toddlers to residents of Assisted Living Facilities, this may be the place for you.
  
  

• Get hands on with our Second Saturday work parties.
  
  Pull invasive weeds, plant native plants, maintain trails and so much more.  See our Event Calendar for more details.
  
  

• Assist with Environmental Education programs. Temporarily suspended.
  
  One of the most important things that volunteers do on our refuge is to provide a variety of Environmental Education opportunities for everyone from toddlers, with our Puddle Stomper Program, to programs for Assisted Living groups.  See our Event Calendar for more details.