We rely on volunteers to achieve our goals. In fact, without volunteers, we would not exist! Founded by volunteers in 1969, the mission of Houston Audubon is to advance the conservation of birds and their habitats in the Greater Houston Gulf Coast region.
From supporting our staff at our headquarters, to maintaining trails at our bird sanctuaries, to increasing the appreciation and understanding of birds throughout Houston, volunteers are critical to Houston Audubon's mission. Read below to learn more about our current volunteer needs and how you can get involved in helping protect birds in your community.
Volunteering at Edith L. Moore Nature Sanctuary
Located near the Energy Corridor, Edith L. Moore Nature Sanctuary (ELMNS) offers walking trails, birding (including a live-stream bird camera), educational programs, and a unique look into the history of our neighborhood. The maintenance of ELMNS relies on the help of individual and group volunteers. Opportunities are regularly scheduled throughout the year. Please sign up for our volunteer newsletter to receive notice of our upcoming volunteer opportunities, or read more about the volunteer opportunities for adults below, including our Sanctuary Stewards, Trail Crew, and Natives Nursery programs.
Seasonal ELMNS Opportunities
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Edith L. Moore Sanctuary WorkdaysOctober – May; monthly on the 3rd Saturday, from 9 AM – 12 PM.
Sign up to volunteer >>Join us at the Edith L. Moore Nature Sanctuary to assist with trail maintenance, litter pick-up, gardening, and invasive species removal.
Community workdays are a great way to enjoy the outdoors and meet like-minded friends! In case of inclement weather, registrants will be notified in advance of cancellation.
While this volunteer opportunity is open to students and children, please note that all participants under the age of 18 must have a participation waiver signed by a parent or guardian who attends the workday in addition to their child.
Volunteering at Our Coastal Sanctuaries
Volunteers are at the heart of Houston Audubon’s work to protect and restore critical bird habitat along the Upper Texas Coast. Through hands-on conservation projects, our volunteers directly improve the health, accessibility, and long-term sustainability of our coastal sanctuaries.
Whether planting native species, maintaining trails, clearing invasive vegetation, or restoring dunes and beaches, volunteers play an essential role in preserving these landscapes for the hundreds of bird species that rely on them—and for the people who come from around the world to experience their beauty.
At our High Island sanctuaries—Boy Scout Woods, Smith Oaks, Eubanks Woods, and Gast Red Bay—volunteers help maintain trails, enhance visitor infrastructure, and improve wildlife habitat. Nearby, our Bolivar Flats Shorebird Sanctuary offers opportunities to help protect one of the most important stopover and breeding sites for migratory shorebirds on the Gulf Coast.
Every hour spent volunteering helps us steward these globally important conservation areas—ensuring they remain safe, welcoming, and ecologically rich for generations to come.
Sign up for our volunteer newsletter to stay informed about upcoming workdays and learn how you can make a meaningful difference on the Upper Texas Coast.
Sales Kiosk Volunteer Cindy Eversole
High Island Spring Migration Volunteers
Daily from March through May
Spring migration brings thousands of people to the internationally acclaimed Smith Oaks and Boy Scout Woods sanctuaries! A steady crew of volunteers is needed to help at both sanctuaries to keep things running as birds and birders flock to the region.
Admissions and Sales Volunteers greet visitors, provide them with birding guides and trail maps, and help maintain our daily sightings lists.
Canopy Walk Volunteer David Burkett
Canopy Walk Volunteers have the unique opportunity to educate visitors on the canopy walks about activity in Smith Oaks’ Rookery and spread awareness about the importance of conserving birds and their habitat. Training material for Canopy Walk Volunteers is provided ahead of your shift – expertise is not necessary!
RV Volunteer Caretakers
Our fantastic Spring 2024 RV Volunteer Caretaker Cohort! Alan Jung, Cindy Jung, Judy Dobler, and Mike Fitzgerald
Houston Audubon is seeking energetic, friendly, outgoing RV Volunteer Caretakers for the months of October – March to assist in groundskeeping and maintenance at our Coastal Operations Center (Coop) and Volunteer Campground at High Island, on the Bolivar Peninsula.
Our High Island sanctuaries are a renowned birding hotspot, situated just twenty minutes from Crystal Beach and a short ferry ride across the Bay from Galveston Island!
Volunteers can expect to work 20-25 hours per week monitoring sanctuaries, groundskeeping, mowing and gardening, some building and equipment maintenance, sharing information about our bird sanctuaries with visitors, and more. The Coop features RV hookups (Water/Sewer/Electric 30/50 amp), showers, a laundry facility, and an outdoor picnic pavilion to make your volunteer experience convenient and comfortable.
To apply, please review our RV Volunteer Caretaker Application and send a completed copy with a brief bio to our Volunteer Coordinator at: volunteer@houstonaudubon.org
Volunteer Opportunities around Houston
Partner with Houston Audubon!
Do you have a Scout Troop, community group, or social organization interested in volunteering with us? Please email volunteer@houstonaudubon.org. A lead time of two months and funding support are needed to develop a project.
Note: Small groups and families are also welcome to join us for our regularly scheduled workdays during the months of October – March.
Corporate groups can visit this page to learn how they can get involved!
If you are interested in learning more about any of these opportunities, please email volunteer@houstonaudubon.org
