Marine Sanctuary seeks volunteer naturalists

The Farallones Marine Sanctuary is looking for volunteer naturalists to help promote ocean awareness in the sanctuary’s Visitor Center in the Presidio of San Francisco, or at community outreach events throughout the Bay Area.

An initial Naturalist Orientation will be held on Saturday, March 10th from 10am to noon at the sanctuary’s offices, Building 991 Marine Drive, on Crissy Field Beach in the Presidio of San Francisco, California 94129. RSVP to Joanne Mohr at 415/ 561-6625, ext 307.

Farallones Marine Sanctuary Recruiting Volunteer Naturalists To Promote Ocean Awareness

San Francisco, CA –February 12, 2007.  The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary needs volunteers to train as naturalists to help promote ocean awareness in the sanctuary’s Visitor Center in the Presidio of San Francisco, or at community outreach events throughout the Bay Area. An initial Naturalist Orientation will be held on Saturday, March 10th from 10 a.m. to noon at the sanctuary’s offices, Building 991 Marine Drive, on Crissy Field Beach in the Presidio of San Francisco, California 94129. RSVP to Joanne Mohr at 415/ 561-6625, ext 307. Volunteers should have an interest in marinelife, ocean issues and conservation, be 18 or older, and have transportation. A friendly, outgoing personality and ability to work with all ages and minimal supervision is helpful. A followup training is scheduled for later March.

Staff will conduct classroom and on-the-job trainings to provide an overview of the sanctuary’s role in protecting the marine wildlife and habitats that make up the sanctuary: open ocean, coastal shores, bays and estuaries. Volunteers will be introduced to some of the unique marinelife for which the Farallones sanctuary is famous: white sharks, giant humpback and blue whales, seals and sea lions, and sea life such as Dungeness crabs and salmon which make the sanctuary a "destination feeding area" for not only whales but humans too!

Visitor Center naturalists help staff the Visitor Center at West Crissy Field Beach to run and maintain exhibits including a seawater aquarium and microscope; use artifacts such as skulls or pelts to demonstrate aquatic animal natural history, distribute sanctuary materials, and assist with school groups.

Community Outreach Ambassador Naturalists will help the sanctuary "take the show on the road" by staffing booths and exhibits at fishermen’s festivals, science fairs, and museum and aquarium events.

Time commitments vary, but range from 8 hours or more per month. Volunteers gain valuable work experience, knowledge of the marine environment, and experience in non-profit operations.

The Farallones Sanctuary Naturalist Program is managed by the nonprofit Farallones Marine Sanctuary Association, which assists in protecting resources through collaborative education and outreach, and research activities. Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary comprises over 1,200 square nautical miles of nearshore and offshore waters beyond San Francisco’s Golden Gate. For information, visit www.farallones.org or www.farallones.noaa.gov.