Volunteer Opportunities
Help us make a difference!
Get involved with the West Eugene Wetlands, become a volunteer! Read about ways you can get involved below or contact Jules Abbott, WREN Volunteer Coordinator, to learn more.
WREN Volunteer Spotlight on Amanda Atkins!
Amanda started volunteering with WREN through the UO ELP program in January 2007. She finished the program in June 2007, but she loved the volunteer work so much that she has continued.
As a self-proclaimed “WREN and WEW groupie”, Amanda has helped out in just about every way possible. Her activities have included: leading field trips, conducting outreach programs in local 4j classrooms, supporting WREN at community events such as Mt. Pisgah's Wildflower and Mushroom Festivals, Earth Day booth, and the Eugene Celebration booth, working with the macroinvertebrate program in the vernal ponds, attending annual clean up events, assisting with WREN summer camps, assisting with writing lesson plans and games for educational purposes, and training other educators
“By far my favorite activity with WREN is leading field trips for students and the community,” Amanda said. “I truly enjoy getting people out of their daily lives and into nature. We have such a beautiful treasure with having the WEW so close to home. At any time we can sneak away to enjoy and observe the thriving wildlife and biota of the WEW with such ease. “Yet most people aren't aware of just how close it is. When I lead a field trip, I am able to open eyes and promote awareness of this treasure while sharing something I deeply love.”
Amanda’s experience with WREN has whet her appetite for environmental education. “My experience with WREN lead me to the realization that environmental education is a passion for me! I couldn't imagine life without it now and I have WREN to thank for that WREN definitely strengthened my dedication to EE and the role it plays within my life.”
Amanda’s activities with WREN led her to a job position with the McKenzie River Trust, where she served as the Operations Manager. She is also now a certified interpretive guide after taking a class provided by WREN in 2008. “My volunteer work with WREN has definitely helped me professionally,” she said. “I am thankful for the gracious opportunities WREN has provided me, which is highly important for any professional path I may follow in environmental education.”
Amanda Atkins is an independent consultant currently working with Candi Atkins Consulting, specializing in regulation and file compliance as well as management practices and policies. She brings with her over 10 years of experience in HUD subsidized housing and most recently tax credit affordable housing. She is in the process of finalizing her ARM (Accredited Resident Manager) certification as well as her IRS Section 42 Tax Credit compliance certification. She has been in property management for the past ten years in many areas: conventional apartments, federally assisted and subsidized multifamily and elderly housing, IRS Section 42 tax credit housing, HOME funded properties, and compliance coordination.
Her areas of specialties include resident file compliance audits for tax credit and HUD subsidized properties, Tenant Selection Plan revision and creation, and procedural support. Occasionally, she teaches compliance-based trainings onsite for clients on a national basis.
She resides in Eugene where she she recently completed her bachelor’s degree in Environmental Studies and Environmental Education from the University of Oregon.
Volunteer Opportunities
Field Science Educator
Field Science educators are involved with WREN’s on-the-ground education programs. Field trips are offered for all age students, but most are for 1st-5th grade classes. Most field trips take place on Tuesday and Thursday mornings between 9 a.m. and noon.
Educator's Guide
Wetland Walking Tour
These field trips are available for any age, from 1st grade through middle school, and take place at our wetland site, Tsanchiifin Trail. Trips start with an introduction in the yurt and proceed along the ½ mile Tsanchiifin Trail. Classes are divided into 3 or 4 groups and are led by a WREN educator. This field trip can be tailored by the group leader to focus on certain areas of personal interest.
Classroom Educator
WREN offers outreach programs to learners ages 4-15 years of age throughout the southern Willamette Valley. Each program has a full description and kit of materials that are located in the WREN office in the wetlands. Most programs are around one hour long and take place between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. on school days. Programs offered are:
- "What is a Wetland?" Available to 1st-5th grade classes, students will discover the sensory experiences they would encounter on a visit to the wetlands when they explore a “touchy-feely” box full of wetland objects
- "Scales and Tails" This program is designed for 1st and 2nd graders and answers the question: who has scales and tails in the wetlands? Students will explore the major differences between both groups of “herps” through hands-on activities.
- "Flowers to Food" Debuting this spring, this program is available to 3rd grade classes. By getting up close and personal with real flowers and bees (not live bees, of course) students will learn how flowers are pollinated and why this is important to our food supply.
- "Wings Over the Wetlands" Third through fifth grade students will learn about migratory birds that fly thousands of miles each year to other parts of the world. Why do they to it? What dangers lurk for them along the way? Interactive activities will bring some of these wetland birds to life as students explore the answers to these and other questions.
- "Reptiles and Amphibians of the Wetlands" This program is available to 6th-8th grade students and teaches them to use a dichotomous key to identify local reptiles and amphibians.
Informal Program Educator
For those who are unavailable during weekdays, but are interested in working outdoors with families and children, this volunteer opportunity is for you! WREN offers informal education programs on evenings and weekends to a variety of audiences. Pick a topic that is of particular interest to you and WREN staff will help you schedule a date and time for your program, as well as research background information on your topic. This is a wonderful chance for you to learn as you prepare to teach! Examples of past programs include: bird walks, dragonfly walks, winter crafts, owl pellet dissection and geology of the wetlands.
*All volunteers interested in helping with education programs are asked to attend at least three Volunteer Educator Training Sessions, scheduled in March and September. Sessions will focus on wetland ecology and natural and cultural history, as well as how to work with children and be an effective teacher, both indoors and out. After attending the session new volunteers will be given the chance to shadow and observe programs, until they feel comfortable leading or co-leading a presentation.
Administrative
If you support our mission, and would like to assist in WREN’s behind-the-scenes activities, you may have interests that align more closely with our administrative work. Opportunities may include, but are not limited to, communication, resource development and community outreach for upcoming events. Hours for this position are more flexible, but a volunteer in this position would be expected to work two four-hour shifts each month, during 9 am - 5 pm weekday hours.
Click here to read the WREN Volunteer Manual (pdf)
